No depth charts? Whittingham says new Big 12 rule may signal end to public 2-deep look

SALT LAKE CITY — Kyle Whittingham declared checkmate Monday.

Or at least he's found a new way to gain a perceived competitive advantage in the world of college football after the Big 12 announced last week a decision to publish weekly availability, or injury, reports for conference games — once three days before a game and another 90 minutes before kickoff.

Whittingham has long been averse to releasing injury information about players unless it's a season-ending type because of what he's felt is a competitive advantage — even if just a minor one. He has, however, been in support of an injury report if all conferences were participating.

But now with the Big 12 making the move, the Utah head coach in his 21st season has found a new way to gain what he sees an advantage — not releasing a depth chart, a two-deep look at the starters and backups at each position.

"It's shaped up," Whittingham said Monday of the team's depth chart following the second scrimmage of fall camp. "We probably won't release one, though, with the new health rule or the rule the Big 12 put out. That's really all we'll release each week is who's available, who's not.

"I think we're pretty well set in each position and who the travelers are, who the scout team guys are," he added. "Twelve days out, it's time to really focus and hone in on UCLA."

Whittingham added that he wished all Power Four conferences were "on the same page and each conference didn't have their own spin on it."

"We'll adhere to it. It's not a problem at all. ... I don't know why we can't get together and have one uniform injury report, or whatever you want to call it; but, sure, we'll adhere to the rule," Whittingham said.

The four conferences share similarities in their respective injury reports but vary on how soon before a game the reports have to be released. The ACC requires one to be submitted two days before a game, and another at least two hours before kickoff.

The Big Ten just requires one at least two hours before kickoff, while the SEC wants teams to submit a report three days before kickoff, with daily updates and a final one 90 minutes before kickoff.

But for Whittingham, that will now just relate to who will be available each week and not for how his roster looks in a given week. Whittingham, though, has long kept a static depth chart that rarely reflects perfectly with who will start or be backups every game over the years.

Backup QB clarity

Despite some hesitancy to publicly identify a depth chart, Whittingham announced Monday that sophomore quarterback Isaac Wilson has been named the team's backup quarterback for the season, with true freshman Byrd Ficklin as the No. 3 QB.

Wilson was named QB2 last season behind Cam Rising before ultimately being named the starter due to injury. In his freshman debut, Wilson had the weight of the offense on his shoulders and struggled to find consistency at times in a trying season.

But Whittingham said Wilson has approached the offseason well and has improved his game

"Decision-making, his clock in the head, you know, getting the ball out quicker, not holding on to it as long, accuracy — virtually across the board," he said. "Really, all those game reps he had last year are paying dividends now. There's really no substitute for game reps, and that's the big thing he had going for him in that battle against Byrd Ficklin. He's had reps at this level and Byrd has not."

In spring, Wilson said he learned a lot from his freshman season, but ultimately "shot myself in the foot."

"I definitely had an opportunity," he said. "I needed to capitalize on that. I mean, I was young, but everyone uses that excuse; that's not a good excuse. I had to be ready at the time.

"Turnovers were a big part of my game last year — not a good thing," Wilson added. "I've been working on that, taking it and making it simple, really; not really thinking about the defense too much, zoning in on one aspect of the play and getting it done."

And at least for another season, Wilson has earned the trust to backup the starting quarterback.

"I think they had a great competition coming out. It took all this time for them to pick one," starting quarterback Devon Dampier said. "The room is deep, and I'm happy Isaac won that spot; and I'm confident if he goes in there, he's going to do his thing."

Added tight end Dallen Bentley, who is one of the only remaining players on offense who played with Wilson last season: "I mean, he's a stud. He works hard, comes in every day, he doesn't let his head go down. And, yeah, I've seen him work hard every day and make improvements on improvements; and he's made big strides since last year."

Outside of the quarterback spot, though, Whittingham will keep everyone guessing.

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