Estimated read time: 4-5 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
SALT LAKE CITY — The University of Utah released its two-deep depth chart Monday, ending weeks of speculation about Utah’s starters and their backups ahead of the season opener Thursday.
While many of the starting roles were already solidified going into fall camp, there were enough changes to add some intrigue to the depth chart. Most notably, Utah named redshirt freshman Jason Shelley as its backup quarterback behind junior Tyler Huntley.
Shelley entered fall camp as the No. 2 quarterback, but it was expected that four-star freshman Jack Tuttle would eventually land in the No. 2 spot before the season started.
Shelley, though, had a strong camp and showcased his ability to lead the offense. Head coach Kyle Whittingham said last week that Tuttle was being considered for a redshirt season, but they’d weigh that based on need throughout the season.
On Monday, Whittingham doubled down on his previous comments and said the redshirt option added to the "heated battle" between the two quarterbacks, and gave Shelley the upper hand in the backup role. He said the two will continue to compete for the backup role throughout season practices, "but for right now that's how it is," he said.
"Something could change," Whittingham added, "but our plan, if we can get the redshirt on Jack this year and be able to have him preserve that year of eligibility, that would be ideal. But we'll see how it unfolds."
Should Huntley sustain a long-term injury during the season, the conversation surrounding the backup role may shift. But for the time being, Shelley remains the backup quarterback.
At the receiver position, Britain Covey is back in his starting role as slot receiver following his church mission. Demari Simpkins, who started at slot last season, has been shifted outside to the Z receiver spot as that starter. The other two starters are veterans Siaosi Mariner (X receiver) and Samson Nacua (Y receiver).
Behind the starters are up-and-coming receivers Bryan Thompson, Jaylen Dixon, Jameson Field and Bronson Boyd. However, Whittingham said freshman Solomon Enis will play Thursday and will factor into the rotation this season.
On the offensive line, two freshmen, Braeden Daniels and Simi Moala, are listed as backups at the two tackle positions. Daniels got a lot of praise throughout camp for his ability to instantly contribute and should factor in well; however, Nick Ford, who is currently listed in a battle for left guard, will be shifted over to tackle should either Jackson Barton or Darrin Paulo go down with an injury, Whittingham said.
In the meantime, Ford remains locked up in a battle with Orlando Umana for the left guard spot. Whittingham said the two will continue to play until there is separation.
"It will be decided through their play, how about that," Whittingham said. "It's not going to be a situation where it's going to be anything but productivity. They're both going to get reps and if there becomes a separation between the two, a definite separation, than the reps will be divvied up accordingly."
On the other end of the line of scrimmage, Whittingham said Bradlee Anae and redshirt freshman Mika Tafua "are the clear starting defensive ends." With the defensive tackle positions, though, Whittingham believes there are four "starting-caliber tackles" in Leki Fotu, Howard (Hauati) Pututau, Pita Tonga and John Penisini.
"All four of those guys are, for the most part, on equal footing, they're interchangeable," he said.
At linebacker, BYU transfer Francis Bernard is now listed as the backup rover behind Chase Hansen. Bernard quickly acclimated to the defensive schemes and will add some solid depth to the linebacker position.
NOTES: Demari Simpkins, who wore No. 17 the past two seasons, switched to No. 3 in fall camp. He will now move to No. 7 for the season. Other jersey number changes include Nygel King, who will move to No. 16, and R.J. Hubert, who will wear No. 31. ... Tyrone Smith is out with an injury, Whittingham said Monday, but will be inserted back into the two-deep depth chart once he's healthy.
