This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2010, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
The Utah Utes already have a deep lineup of young talent at receiver and tight end, but apparently they're going to make room for one more.
Jake Murphy, the son of baseball great Dale Murphy, watched Utah's practice Thursday with his father.
Jake, who originally signed with BYU before leaving on a mission to Australia, is joining the Utes instead of the Cougars.
Jake said he had a "change of heart," during his mission.
"I thought about it during my mission and Utah just seemed the place to be," the former American Fork star said.
The Utes will have a spot for him, although since he is fresh off his mission he'll redshirt this season.
Listed as 6-foot-5, 215 pounds when he signed, Murphy caught 44 passes for 853 yards and 13 touchdowns as a high school senior.
He could be a receiver or a tight end for the Utes or might fit in elsewhere given his size.
His older brother, Shawn, was an offensive lineman at Utah State who was selected by Miami in the fourth round of the 2008 NFL Draft.
It's back
Utah athletic director Chris Hill realized canceling the popular Fan Fest last year in order to save money was a mistake and he vowed to bring it back in 2010.
True to his word, Fan Fest is back this year and will be held Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Rice-Eccles Stadium.
Parking and admittance are free.
Members of the Utah football team will be joined by athletes from the 17 other varsity teams and will be available for autographs, pictures and food and prizes. Utah coach Kyle Whittingham said he was happy the Fan Fest was back.
He could be back
The Utes could get linebacker Jamel King back in time for the Pitt game, Whittingham said Thursday.
King, a 6-foot-2, 230-pound junior, has been sidelined with a concussion. The Utes should know Monday whether or not he'll be cleared to play.