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SALT LAKE CITY - It seems the college football waiting game is never ending in the off season. The waiting game is about to begin again for Ute fans with the conclusion of spring practices with the Red and White game on Saturday.
This will be the last opportunity for fans to get a glimpse of the team until kickoff against Northern Colorado in August. So I will give Ute fans a couple things to look out for on Saturday to give them an idea of what the fall may hold.
OFFENSE
The red headed step child of the Utah program has been the offensive side of the ball. With Brian Johnson taking over at offensive coordinator, fans may be in store for the most diverse offense they've seen yet. Johnson thus far in practices has shown pro style sets with the Power-I formations, two-back sets, as well as spread sets with going five wide with receivers, even throwing in some read option stuff. This Saturday Ute fans should get a bit of a preview of what to expect in the fall when the Utes take the field offensively. No way will fans see a finished product running out on that field, but they should get a basic idea of the identity of what this team could be. Looking back at last years spring game, with no Jordan Wynn, the offensive teams struggled to move the ball. A fact similar to what actually transpired in the season.
A group many fans will be watching is the quarterback group. Now we probably won't see Jordan Wynn throughout the entire game, but fans should get a glimpse of where he is now from the last time they saw him in action. Fans shouldn't be disappointed either. People should keep an eye on jersey number seven, that is Travis Wilson. The highly touted kid out of Southern California. He has gotten better every day in camp and has the makings of a very good quarterback, he looks like a Pac-12 caliber signal caller with his 6-foot-6 size and his strong arm. He will probably throw some darts that will wow some people.
The athletes at the wide receiver position will be fun to watch on Saturday. We may not see a lot of DeVonte Christopher and some of the starters, but keep an eye on Kenneth Scott, number two in your program guides. I believe this kid is on the verge of stardom and he will be fun to watch.
As for positions not to watch, I'd say offensive line for sure. We won't get an idea of this line and it's depth chart until some of the kids arrive in the fall. Similar story at running back because John White probably won't see action and Kelvin York is still not quite 100% back from his knee injury. Jarrell Oliver and Harvey Langi should keep fans entertained on Saturday.
DEFENSE
Fans really need to keep an eye on Nate Fakahafua on the defensive line on Saturday. The kid is constantly in the back field and making plays. He is just another guy to get excited about on this defensive line that is stacked. With Star likely not going on Saturday either, fans should get a good idea of the type of depth that is on the front four.
People will get to see what is going to be a major competition going into fall camp at the linebacker position. The likes of VJ Fehoko, Jacoby Hale, LT Filiaga, Victor Spikes, Dave Fagergren, and Jared Norris have made this spring very interesting in the middle of the field. This could be the fastest linebacking core that we've seen at the U and fans should get a kick out of watching these guys fly around.
Speed will be the name of the game at corner Saturday. Mo Lee, if he plays, will be flying all over the field. He with Ryan Lacy will show fans what they have come accustomed to out of corners at the U. I also encourage people to watch Keith McGill, the converted safety. He has a lot of learning to do with the switch, but he has some really good natural skills that excite me personally at corner. He has some Sean Smith type skills with his size and ball playing ability.
Safety will be fun to watch after the proven guys of Brian Blechen and Eric Rowe, the back to back freshmen All-Americans. Quade Chappuis has shown some good ability to make plays and converted receiver Terrell Reese has a lot of potential. It'll be fun to see those guys and others fight for the other spots in the two deep.
This spring game should prove to be more entertaining than last seasons. Just based off the infusion of young talent that has come into the program. For fans though, Saturday will provide what we've all been craving since the end of bowl season, more football. We need to soak it in just a little bit more, since we will go another four months until we hear the pads popping again.
Shane Roberts is a producer/writer for the U Fan Cast on TheUFanCast.com, a Utah-centric podcast that gives a voice to the fan. Twitter: @Shane_U_FanCast
