SALT LAKE CITY — As fall camp rolls into week three and different positions start to develop a pecking order, coach Kyle Whittingham says the Utes are grading out around an "A minus" for their effort and consistency thus far.

"Creating great habits, practicing the right way all the time, in my experience, the best teams come out and you know what you're going to get every day," said Whittingham.

While some positions have most likely been penciled in since before camp started, we take a look at progress in several different position groups.

The quarterbacks

The newly released depth chart listed Troy Williams as the starter ahead of Brandon Cox and Tyler Huntley heading into week three of camp. Offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick says that's more a matter of consistency than anything else.

"They've all been good, they've all had their moments, but Troy has been the most consistent up to this point," said the second year co-coordinator. "He's thrown a higher completion percentage than the other guys and turned the ball over less. Up to this point, he has the edge, but he has to keep competing."

"He's getting the first-team reps, so I think that's a pretty good indicator of the direction we intend to go," Roderick added.

As for the other quarterbacks, a backup has yet to be named. While Whittingham noted that the coaching staff was comfortable with either Cox or Huntley as backup, he said that it was important to decide on an official No. 2 man.

"That's important because that guy gets reps, while the other guy gets essentially no reps, once the season starts."

Roderick highlighted Tyler Huntley's "big play" potential and Cox "steady, solid decision making" as keys in the race so far. Whittingham added that redshirting Huntley was still "in the equation," including saying that the Utes still want their freshman quarterback to get bigger and stronger.

The wide receivers

Tim Patrick and Tyrone Smith have appeared to lock down positions as starting wideouts, and Kyle Fulks is listed as the starting receiver in the slot. Roderick said that no position was safe, as several guys have earned time for themselves with solid performances.

"Caleb Repp has played well in camp. With Caleb it's not always pretty. It's almost awkward at times. He reminds me of Manu Ginobli in basketball in that he's got an awkward game, but he's so competitive," said the coach. Roderick also mentioned the performance of freshman Demari Simpkins.

"He shows up every day. He's very smart for a freshman kid, to be where he's at right now. He's pushing for playing time. I'm very impressed with him," Roderick said.

Overall, Roderick said that he was pleased to see that all the returning receivers from last year were "better versions of themselves."

The linebackers

It seems that linebacker has been a question mark since the last snap of the Las Vegas Bowl and the departure of standouts Gionni Paul and Jared Norris. Coach Whittingham confirmed as much today.

"Linebacker is still a work in progress," he said in answer to which position group would be assessed at tomorrow's scrimmage.

While junior Sunia Tauteoli has solidified his hold on the mac linebacker position, Cody Barton continues to make his case as a starter at the rover linebacker.

"Right now, if we had to play tomorrow, it would be Cody and Sunia as the two starting linebackers," said Whittingham, adding that freshman linebacker Donovan Thompson was making a name for himself in being named backup to Tauteoli.

"He's really started to do some good things the last four or five practices. He's doing a great job in special teams play. He's a very active, instinctive linebacker, and that's starting to show up now as he feels more comfortable with his assignments."

Stephen Lindsey is a student at the University of Utah currently working as an intern with KSL.com in Salt Lake City. Contact him at th3sl3@gmail.com or interact via his twitter handle, @th3sl3

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