Utah has completed it’s first week of practice for Camp Kyle and the Head Coach described Day 7 as “status quo” and that some bumps and bruises are beginning to take hold with his football team. Whitt did announce one season ending injury Wednesday. Backup Linebacker Moroni Anae is out for the year with an ankle injury.
Here is the complete Whittingham Media session following Day 7.
Offensive Line Juggling
As the second week of Fall Camp begins Utah the offensive line continues to be a work in progress. Both Jim Harding and Kyle Whittingham have made the point that they would like eight guys ready to play and the five best guys starting on the line. Right now it appears there are nine guys vying for those eight spots, with true freshman Braeden Daniels entering the mix this week. Daniels, Texas native, goes 6-4 and 280lbs. Whittingham and Harding are moving guys around and trying them in new spots this week, hoping to get a feel for versatility that could be needed later in the year. Here’s Whittingham on his Offensive Line…
Bryant Pirtle
The Pima CC Linebacker is working himself into football shape this week, now running with the Utah Defense. Pirtle, who arrived to Utah on Saturday, is a hybrid guy able to play both linebacker and maybe some defensive end too. According to his Head Coach, Pirtle is doing everything that’s expected of him right now. The other potential transfer, Frances Bernard, hopes to have some news on his grades from Salt Lake Community College this week.
Utah Defensive Line
http://www.zimbio.com/photos/Bradlee+Anae
Camp Kyle marks the return of Associate Head Coach Gary Anderson to Utah Football for the first time in a decade. Anderson’s on field duties include working with the Defensive Line. Anderson joined me today on the radio show to talk about how the line is progressing, plus the upside and expectations of Bradlee Anae and Leki Fotu this season, here’s my conversation with Gary Anderson.
Matt Gay and the Kicking Game
Heading into the Fall, there were two positions that had ZERO chance of competition, Punter and Place Kicker. All Americans Mitch Wishnowsky and Matt Gay have a stranglehold on both those spots. Gay, who is looking to build on his first year in college football, was named one of the Top 50 players in the country today by “The Big Lead” . He also showed off his strong right leg on Day 7 knocking through a 60yd field goal with plenty left to spare. His career long in a game was 56 yards last year against both San Jose State and Washington State. Whittingham says they may try from the 60yd distance this season if the situation is right.
