Shelley No. 2 QB – Capra & Blake Kuithe out the year – Pututau and Tafua start

[kazute]

In the Huddle
With sophomore wide receiver Britain Covey back in the starting lineup after returning from a two-year church mission, junior Demari Simpkins has moved from slot receiver—where he started last year—to Z receiver. Covey is preparing for his first game since 2015, when he was Utah’s leading receiver, a Freshman All-American and an honorable mention All-Pac-12 return specialist … Simpkins is one of three players changing numbers on opening week. Simpkins will wear No. 7 this season, while Nygel King has moved to No. 16 and R.J. Hubert to No. 31 … The starter at left guard could come down to a game-day decision between redshirt freshman Nick Ford and sophomore Orlando Umana … Redshirt freshman Jason Shelley has been named the No. 2 quarterback behind starter Tyler Huntley. Shelley earned the nod over true freshman Jack Tuttle … Sophomore defensive tackle Hauati Pututau and redshirt freshman defensive end Mika Tafua are scheduled to make their first NCAA starts vs. Weber State … Two newcomers will snap for All-America punter Mitch Wishnowsky and All-America kicker Matt Gay. Central Michigan transfer Keegan Markgraf will take the field on the long snaps and true freshman Maddie Golden on the short snaps … Gay has replaced Wishnowsky on kickoffs. Wishnowsky, who kicked off last year, will back up … Junior offensive lineman Johnny Capra will miss the 2018 season with an injury. Others who will miss the season with injuries are junior running back Devonta’e Henry-Cole, freshman defensive end Blake Kuithe and sophomore linebacker Moroni Anae … Defensive end Davir Hamilton is leaving the program. Hamilton played in one game last season, recording a tackle against San Jose State.

https://utahutes.com/news/2018/8/27/football-opens-2018-vs-weber-state.aspx?path=football

[EagleMountainUte]

The first and last time I want to hear about the long snapper. Really hope they got that figured out. 

[kazute]

What happened to Tyrone Smith on the DB depth chart? I heard nice things about him in his switch to defense.

https://utahutes.com/documents/2018/8/27//fbweber18.pdf

Free Safety
15 Corrion Ballard (6-3, 200, Sr., 1VL)
2 Philip Afi a (6-1, 201, Jr., 2VL)
Strong Safety
13 Marquise Blair (6-2, 195, Sr., 1VL)
26 Terrell Burgess (6-0, 197, Jr., 2VL)
LeŌ Corner
1 Jaylon Johnson, (6-0, 190, So., 1VL)
29 Tré Strong, (6-1, 195, Jr., RS)
Right Corner
23 Julian Blackmon, (6-1, 190, Jr., 2VL)
14 Josh Nurse, (6-3, 200, Jr., 1VL)
Nickel Back
28 Javelin Guidry (5-9, 190, So., 1VL)
5 Tareke Lewis (5-11, 180, Jr., JC)

[UteBrook]

Whitt just stated on his presser that Tyrone has had an injury and that when he is back, he will be part of the 2 deep.

[kazute]

Thanks. Thought that was surprising.

[Onlyu]

Shelley had a good camp…improvement was night and day better than he looked last year and even during the Spring. He was impressive but honestly all 4 were including Lisk. Lisk was 3-3 with 75 yards and a TD in a drive the other day. Tuttle is the future…no if’s, ands or but’s about it. They can all play.

Don’t read too much into the depth chart released today. I wouldn’t be surprised (if Tyler went down) to see Jack go in with the new Redshirt rule. I don’t think the 2 means a lot in this particular case. Shelley has earned a little love with the work he’s put in but Tuttle is real. Young and needs some experience but going to be very good.

As an example, Bryan Thompson has been banged up a bit and has missed almost every other day throughout camp. Tough to list him as a starter because of that but during the season he will be very impactful.

Another example…Pirtle. Kid is legit but comes from a JC (similar to others) where they aren’t as complicated or rather they don’t demand the same type of responsibility (on field) from their players. His head is spinning but he’ll get there and be impactful as well at some point.

All I can say is we look good…as good as any team I can remember at this point. Doesn’t mean Jack today except that we can hope for it to all come together on the field and have a great year.

[rbmw263]

I was so excited when we landed Shelley. Kid can play and im not particularly surprised at all. Happy for him actually given how overlooked he became when Tuttle became Utah bound. Love his tape

[Grayshirt]

It just goes to show how special of a player Jason Shelley can be at this level!  It’s exciting to have that kind of talent and depth at such a key position.  I thought he looked great at the spring game.

[snafu]

I think they want to be smart with Tuttle and give him a redshirt if possible. If Huntley goes down for an extended period of time I would bet Tuttle replaces him, not Shelley. 

[UtMtBiker]

Could there be something more strategic to it?  If Huntley goes down late in the year he might want to have the option to play Tuttle without having to give up the redshirt if he doesn’t have to. 

[EagleMountainUte]

What makes you believe that?? Just want to know if you have a source other than your personal belief? Shelley is a very good player and I am confident in his abilities. 

[snafu]

Based on a few comments from Whittingham and others. Whittingham basically said that Shelley slightly edged out Tuttle but redshirting factored in the decision. 

[EagleMountainUte]

Yes so I am confused on your reasoning still?