This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2010, and information in the article may be outdated.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.
When he first arrived at Utah, receiver Reggie Dunn said he had little trouble to adjusting to the speed of Division I football.
"I've always had that," he said. "Speed has never been a problem for me."
Getting the plays down, on the other hand, was a whole other challenge. Only recently has Dunn, a sophomore transfer from Compton Community College, grasped the offense well enough to warrant playing time.
Dunn scored on a 100-yard kickoff return at Iowa State and had three carries for 25 yards against Wyoming as he showed off the speed that lured the Utes to him in the first place.
He wasn't slow picking up the offense, but needed an adjustment period after joining the Utes in the summer, a time when he felt more challenged to learn the schemes than he felt challenged athletically.
"During summer camp, I got thrown in there a lot because I'm a JC guy, an older guy and they expect me to know more," he said. "It still took me a while. Once I got the hang of it, everything started to run smooth for me."
Dunn isn't alone in his experience.
Where once junior transfers were considered a quick fix, having a guy step in and make an immediate impact is happening more and more infrequently at Utah thanks to the increase in talent level.
Dunn and offensive lineman John Cullen are the only transfers who are new to the team this year who are getting consistent playing time.
Others, such as receivers Dexter Ransom and Mo Lee and defensive lineman Star Lotulelei are still working their way into the lineup after joining the Utes later than Dunn.
The Utes still recruit some junior college players, but expectations have changed over the years. The Utes prefer to sign JC players with three years of eligibility or to fill a specific need, as Cullen has. He was recruited to replace left tackle Zane Beadles, who is with the Denver Broncos now.
"There is a learning curve," Utah coach Kyle Whittingham said. "It's steepest on defense at linebacker and safety and easier up front and on the corners. Offense is a different animal because you can choose the plays you want him in on. As a defensive player, you have to react to everything."
Originally, Dunn thought he'd be befuddling defenses as a member of Oregon State's team, but needed a year to improve his academics.
By the time he was academically qualified, Oregon State had moved on, so Dunn gave Utah co-offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick a call. Roderick welcomed him onto the Utes after getting to know him during the recruiting process.
"He is as fast as anyone we've had here since I've been here," Roderick said. "It takes a while for these players. A good example is David Reed. He was as good a player as we have had here, and it took him until the midseason of '08 until he was really contributing and then he really came on at the end in the big games."
The Utes went through their usual process with Dunn, giving him a handful of plays each week to learn until they felt he was ready.
Now he is listed as Jereme Brooks' backup, but is getting more and more chances.
"I appreciate the coaches letting me get the ball in my hands," he said. "I'll play wherever they put me, returning kicks or receiver. I just want to be a difference maker."
lwodraska@sltrib.com Twitter: @lyawodraska, @sltributes —
2010 transfers
A glance at how some of the transfers new to the Utes this year are doing:
John Cullen, OL • Has filled in nicely at left tackle for Zane Beadles
Reggie Dunn, WR • One of the fastest players on the team is getting more and more time at receiver
Tevita Finau, DL • Arrived Sept. 24 but already is third at left end
Mo Lee, WR • Arrived late and is expected to redshirt this year
Star Lotulelei, DL • Listed third at tackle, has played in every game
Dexter Ransom, WR • Coaches believe he will have an impact in second half of season —
Colorado State at No. 9 Utah
P Saturday, 4 p.m.
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