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SALT LAKE CITY — The start of football season is finally here; we are just one day from the season opener for Utah football when the Utes host Southern Utah University on Thursday night. In the final installment of KSL.com’s Utes countdown, we will be highlighting the two players wearing No. 1 this season, Boobie Hobbs and Tyler Huntley.
Boobie Hobbs, JR, defensive back
A junior from Landry-Walker High School in Louisiana, where he was a first team all-state cornerback, Hobbs has seen playing time since he stepped foot on campus as a true freshman. As a senior in high school, he recorded nine interceptions.
Hobbs made two significant plays during Utah’s 10-3 season last year. The first came in the 62-20 thrashing of Oregon, where Hobbs returned a punt 69 yards to the house for a touchdown on a trick play. The second came on a bigger stage, when Utah was hosting College Gameday with Cal in town. With the Golden Bears driving late in the game to try to take the lead, Hobbs knocked down the final ball from former quarterback Jared Goff to secure the win for the Utes.
In 2016, Hobbs will continue to return punts, especially with the human joystick, Britain Covey, gone on his mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He will also remain in the rotation of the stacked Utah secondary, where he will back up starting nickel back Justin Thomas.
Tyler Huntley, FR, quarterback
The final player of the Hallandale High trio from Florida, Huntley graduated from high school early to join the Utah program in the spring. As a Charger, Huntley was the Florida Gatorade High School Player of the Year after he threw for 3,636 yards and 42 touchdowns his senior season. Overall for his career, he went 34-10 as a starter, maxing out 9,053 passing yards and 106 touchdowns.
Huntley has impressed as a true freshman since coming to Salt Lake City earlier this year, even being in the mix for the starting quarterback position before Troy Williams earned it in fall camp. However, he was still good enough to earn the backup role with his big arm and big plays, which eventually forced former Ute Brandon Cox to transfer.
While Williams is expected to take the reins this season, Huntley might be the leader of the future. That said, head coach Kyle Whittingham has stated he doesn’t want to redshirt the freshman because he believes there will be playing opportunities for Huntley moving forward in 2016.
He has the poise and the confidence beyond his years and Ute fans are certainly excited to see what he can do in the coming seasons. Twitter: @GriffDoug
