Utah’s defense backups have been getting a great deal of time on the field this spring, as many of the projected starters and experienced players have been in what is called “the pit,” or the part of the sideline reserved for injured players.
Though having more than half the starting defense in the pit has given younger players an opportunity to gain experience, Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham is frustrated some of the defensive leaders haven’t been able to participate.
“We are a little disappointed right now,” Whittingham said. “A lot of guys that are going to be a mix in the fall are not practicing right now.”
Safety Brian Blechen and linebacker VJ Fehoko have been limited, Reshawn Hooker had a concussion and linebacker Jason Whittingham and defensive ends Nate Orchard and Trevor Reilly are expected to miss the rest of spring camp. Some of those players are expected to be back by mid-July.
“A lot of it is postseason surgeries and medical stuff,” Whittingham said. “But it’s spring, so we’ve got to get them healthy for fall camp.”
Pedroza moving up among receivers
One player who is making the most of his opportunity during the spring is wide receiver Quinton Pedroza. The 6-foot-2, 216-pound junior from Chino, Calif., moved up the depth chart to the No. 3 receiver spot.
“[Coaches] have been giving me more reps,” Pedroza said. “I have been able to show them what I can do. I have had to work my way up, and finally I have been given that chance.”
Pedroza and fellow junior wide receiver Kenneth Scott didn’t return home to California for the offseason, but rather stayed here to workout. In particular, the duo often ran up the mountain behind campus.
“There is never a solid spot for anybody,” Pedroza said. “You got to work for your spot everyday, because at any chance or any moment, you can lose it. I don’t take anything for granted.”
Utes lose football multiple times in run plays
The Utah offense wasn’t as crisp and upbeat as it had been since spring camp started last Saturday. There were a few fumbles and missed snaps. However, it wasn’t terrible as the Utes still moved the ball well for the most part.
“We definitely made some mistakes with the fumbles and everything,” said quarterback Travis Wilson. “The passing game we did really well.”
Wilson and the rest of the Utah offense is trying to execute more of their option run game — something Wilson is excited about.
“I think it’s a great element to what we are doing,” Wilson said. “We have great quarterbacks that are able to run it. It fits our scheme, [and] so far it’s been going really well.”
With starting running back Kelvin York limited because of injury, Lucky Radley and James Poole had most of the carries at Saturday’s practice. The competition at that position will continue into the fall when a few more players enroll for Fall Semester.