Throughout fall camp, each member of the Utah football team is evaluated by the coaching staff to determine who is to play in each position, but the players have also made note of each other’s accomplishments and expectations.
Now a junior, defensive end Hunter Dimick feels confident and solid in his role on defense, and in turn, he is helping the younger players on the defense work on their respective skills.
“I’ve been around this defense long enough to know what we are going to do and how we are going to run it, so I try to help the younger kids learn,” said Dimick. “Sione Sina is our new guy. He’s big and fast, and he’s been learning pretty quickly. Also, Pita (Taumoepenu) is coming along, he will be a good force for us.”
Sina is one of the newer Utes on the team, transferring over from another Pac-12 school in Cal. Though he left the Golden Bears on a good note, Sina is thankful for the opportunity that he has a chance to play football here in Salt Lake City.
“The process was a bit in the air, it was easy, but Coach Whittingham took a risk and I am grateful they gave me this opportunity,” Sina said.
Currently, Sina is working a lot on his technique, and is picking things up quickly. He has been rotating with both the first and second teams, and by practicing different schemes, Sina feels that he is getting a firm grasp on the team strategy.
“I come with a mixed speed, a little bit of edge, a little bit of agility and power, but hopefully I can just contribute something,” Sina said.
Smith looking to make an impact
As a freshman, wide receiver Tyrone Smith is hoping to see some playing time once the season finally begins. In preparation for that, Smith has been working on his mental game by staying focused on the tasks at hand as they present themselves during camp. In order to stay focused, Smith watches film over and over again until he becomes comfortable with that scenario.
“When you are in a hurry, I feel like things get all clustered up,” Smith said. “I just watch more film, and listen to what the coaches have to say.”
Smith has had fun in the receiver’s position, but wants to excel in any position that Whittingham places him in. Smith said that he has learned a lot of new techniques, including how to evaluate the game and coverages, from his fairly limited experiences with the team thus far.
As far as a role model goes, Smith looks no further than teammate Kenneth Scott, who has assumed the position of vocal leader among the receiving unit.
“[Scott’s] been here for a long time, and man, he knows his stuff,” Smith said. “When I first came in, I thought it was all about just playing and making plays, but it’s really about knowing your stuff. He can read defenses, he can draw up any play you want, he knows his technique. I feel like he brings the complete package as a leader — especially as a Utah receiver.”
The high praise is warranted for Scott, who claims he is simply going to work.
“I’m just trying to do my job, so that when I leave they can pick up the torch. That’s basically it,” Scott said.
Receivers impressed with running backs
An underrated characteristic in the game of football is the trust that the players have in one another. Kenneth Scott is the mainstay of the receiving core here at Utah, but the receiver had nothing but praise for the guys that he’ll be blocking for on occasion in the running backs.
“Joe Williams is a beast,” Scott said. “Last scrimmage, he ran for 60 yards and I didn’t believe it. I thought, ‘golly! He’s doing good, he’s a good complement to [Devontae Booker].'”
In a conference that has produced some of the nation’s best quarterbacks, Utah will continue to use Booker to its advantage, and his teammates have confidence in his play.
“Even if they stack the box, he’s still going to hit 100-plus yards because [Booker’s] a beast like that,” Scott said. “As far as receivers go, we are going to do our part and what we need to.”
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