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Even though freshman Harvey Langi has slipped down the running back depth chart to be in a battle with Thretton Palamo for the No. 3 back, Utah coach Kyle Whittingham said there aren't any solid plans to redshirt Langi, the former Bingham High star.

"That's not even in the equation right now," he said.

Whittingham said the coaches were going to discuss which players they hoped to redshirt by Friday, although there is no necessity to make a clear-cut decision or announcement.

Langi was in the No. 1 spot earlier in camp, then fell behind newcomer John White and Tauni Vakapuna, a senior who rejoined the team in the summer.

Whittingham said Langi, who enrolled in January, is now starting to show some of the talent that made him a highly sought-after recruit after he rushed 152 times for 1,399 yards and 17 touchdowns as a senior at Bingham.

Whittingham noted after one practice, "He was doing things he was doing in high school. I talked to him after and said, 'Harvey, where has that been the last two weeks?' "

"He is still a freshman feeling his way around, but with spring ball under his belt we thought he'd be further along. But we still have a lot of faith and confidence Harvey is going to turn out to be a good player," Whittingham added.

Fullback? Tight end? Well, it's complicated

Receiver Luke Matthews (6-2, 206) is listed as the starting fullback and tight end Dallin Rogers (6-3, 245) is his backup.

So what are they doing at fullback?

While they are listed as fullbacks, the Utes plan to use the players more as H-backs or F-backs so they will be more involved in the passing game than traditional fullbacks are.

Utah offensive coordinator Norm Chow said Matthews, Rogers and tight ends Kendrick Moeai (6-5, 260) and Jake Murphy (6-4, 255) will all be used interchangeably in his offensive scheme.

"The tight ends in this offense take a very special talent and you have to develop it," he said. "I feel good about all four guys and we want to put them in spots where they can use all their talents."

Feeling the pressure

Sophomore Joe Kruger has had a strong enough camp to be penciled in as the starter at left end, but the 6-foot-7, 270-pounder said he doesn't believe anything is guaranteed and won't back off in practice now.

"Last year I was a freshman and still learning the system and this year I know how it works and I've worked on my position," he said. "The technique is the main thing that is easier, but now that I'm a starter, I have to do everything right. I can't make any mistakes or I won't be the starter."