SALT LAKE CITY — Raelon Singleton's career game last Thursday in Tempe against the Arizona State Sun Devils prompted a question: Where did that come from?

After catching three touchdowns and accumulating 116 yards receiving, Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham was there with the answer.

"It was his best game as a Ute, without a doubt, and in my estimation it was his best week of practice as a Ute," Whittingham said. "It's amazing how that works."

For Singleton, a man of not so many words and a humble attitude, the prospect of getting to a Pac-12 championship game and possibly playing in a Rose Bowl provided him added motivation.

"When he (Whittingham) said that these three games were going to be our three Super Bowl games, I kept focused and practiced harder this week," Singleton said. "It was a great game, I guess."

Texas transplant

For Singleton, now a redshirt sophomore and in his third season as a Ute, family is everything. After a successful season as a high school senior, he received offers from TCU, Houston, Tulsa and San Diego State, among others, but his offer from Utah was one that particularly stuck out because of his relationship with a former Ute great.

"My cousin was the quarterback, named Brian Johnson," Singleton says, with no trace of self-importance. "He had a big effect on me, being something away from Texas, helping me coming here."

Singleton said that the transition was a difficult one, initially.

"It was a little different coming here. It was a 25-hour drive from Texas to here, and I had no parents. I had always lived with my parents, had family around all the time, and when I got here I was like, dang, this is kind of far. But this program was built on family. Everybody is part of the family, and we have a good time. I'm good now. It's a blessing."

Growing pains

Singleton's first year as a Ute was spent redshirting after a shoulder injury sidelined him for the season. He would make his freshman debut a season later than expected, and the output was modest. Singleton caught six passes for 49 yards; a meager output for a young man who had, as Singleton says, "caught a lot of touchdowns in high school."

The setbacks weren't over yet, however. In the first practice of spring earlier this year, Singleton came limping off the field, exiting practice early with what appeared to be a hamstring injury, something that would ultimately sideline him for the rest of spring ball. Singleton, though, was determined to make something of his time off, saying that it provided a lot of value.

"To just be on the sidelines, seeing what's going on, the good things, the bad things, being in the film room, and learning from what coach Holladay tells us, it had a big effect on me."

Breaking out

Singleton says he learned a lot from former Ute Kenneth Scott, a teammate of his for a season at Utah.

"He told me a lot what to do and what not to do," Singleton said. "If he had a mistake he would come to me and be like, okay, this is my mistake, and tell me what he'd do to fix his mistake."

Scott's help made a difference for Singleton, who learned to build a rapport with his quarterback, Troy Williams, from emulating Scott's example. Neither Singleton nor Williams could connect much during spring ball, as Williams too, like Singleton, spent nearly all of the sessions out with an injury. The two went the extra mile during the summer to get acquainted.

"Before fall camp, we'd go outside and throw the ball, building our chemistry. It helped us be closer, talking every day, hanging out every day. Like coach Whitt says, he doesn't get down on anybody. If something happens, he just says, ok, next drive, we've got to keep going."

Williams says he's happy for Singleton, calling him the ultimate teammate.

"He's big, physical, and he has that mentality that he's not going to back down from anybody," Williams said. "The thing about Raelon is that he wants to go out there and have fun, and make big plays."

As Singleton spent the offseason putting on weight, he says that it helped him become the more physical, possession-type style of wide receiver that is enabling him to succeed.

"I always thought I was a little physical, but I just didn't have enough weight on me," Singleton said. "When I got here, with coach Doug (Elisaia) and coach (Greg) Argust, I kept working out with them, and put on the weight."

That extra physicality is making all the difference for Singleton. The Utes' second-leading receiver, with 23 receptions and 423 yards to go with four touchdowns, Singleton is making his move but isn't ready to say he's made it.

"I just stay humble, go with the game plan, and do whatever I have to do to help the team."

Stephen Lindsey covers University of Utah football and basketball for KSL, as well as high school sports. Interact with him via twitter at @slthe3.

Related topics