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Utah's spring football practices began on Tuesday, http://bit.ly/1Zllh4u";>in case you didn't hear. While outdoor sessions are open to the public, indoor sessions are media-only. So here are some stray observations from the first practice, which was non-padded and low contact:
• Taking snaps under center is very much about running the football. The Utes are taking snaps under center for the first time in recent memory, which all the coaches acknowledge is an adjustment for their quarterbacks and centers. There were some issues with center-quarterback exchange on Tuesday, as well as quarterback-running back exchange. But the Utes hope to incorporate more power run plays into their offense — the idea being that the running back has time to generate momentum before he's handed the ball. Offensive co-coordinator Aaron Roderick added that Utah is looking to generate more success with play-action passing, and the staff determined that play action would be more successful out of the pro style than the shotgun.
Which is not to say Utah will be completely abandoning the spread. The majority of Utah's offense will be out of shotgun sets. Utah's quarterbacks each have some experience taking snaps under center, but they're all better suited to spread offenses. Said Whittingham: "We just think it will help our overall package on offense going under center a little bit, and there's a lot of value to it especially in short-yardage situations where you don't have to put the ball five yards back at the snap. So there's a lot of things we think adds to what we're doing."
• The http://bit.ly/1o5nfZn";>quarterback competition is not exactly a dead heat. On Tuesday, Brandon Cox and Troy Williams roughly split the first- and second-team reps while Tyler Huntley was mostly third team snaps. From an experience perspective, it makes the most long-term sense for Huntley to sit back and learn while Cox and Williams battle it out. That being said, Utah is looking for the best quarterback, and Huntley showed plenty of touch in some throws, albeit against third-string guys. None of the passers have significant experience, so there's no great reason to exclude him from the debate. Kyle Whittingham was adamant Tuesday that Huntley will get his shot.
Also, those waiting to see if Chase Hansen will factor in are likely to be disappointed. The sophomore won't compete this spring as he heals from his leg injury suffered at Washington last fall. Whittingham said "playing the percentages," it's more likely Hansen is a safety or linebacker than a quarterback. His athletic ability translates well to the defensive side of the ball, http://bit.ly/1MEADZy";>where he got on the field last year.
• If you didn't catch it earlier, Cory Butler-Byrd has switched full-time to offense, which the coaching staff did to add his dynamic open-field ability to a somewhat underwhelming group of receivers last year. He took on more of an offensive role last year and even had a 54-yard catch for a touchdown. Whittingham said that he thinks Butler-Byrd's overall upside is better on offense. He showed it Tuesday, catching a 40-yard touchdown down the middle from Cox, and showing his wiggle in the short game as the presumed starting slot.
But CBB wasn't the only receiver who had a solid day. Junior Kyle Fulks made a catch falling into the end zone from Cox (pass was a little short), and had a nice juke on the sideline off a short pass from Williams. Freshman Demari Simpkins caught a few passes from Huntley that ended up looking good, including a touchdown. Raelon Singleton made some catches, but also looked a little gimpy midway through one of them when he clutched his hamstring on a crossing route. Also, don't knock the tight ends: One of the most productive receivers of the day was walk-on Ken Hampel, who showed nice hands (if not a burst of closing speed).
• Typically rushing is hard to gauge in a non-padded practice, but senior Joe Williams broke off a 40-yard run that left defenders in the dust. Williams is looking to become Utah's every-down back http://bit.ly/1XdOYak";>after taking over for injured Devontae Booker last season. While junior Troy McCormick was looking shifty despite wearing a knee brace on Thursday, he's likely more versatile in the run and pass game, and he doesn't necessarily fill the same role as Williams. Whittingham said the coaching staff believes he can be a 1,000-yard rusher. Said Williams: "It's not really pressure, it's just living up to expectations. Going at it every day, and doing my part to just be a good, integral part of this team."
• Some injury updates from Whittingham: CB Dominique Hatfield is indeed out after having surgery after the 2015 season, and should return in the fall. He's joined by WR Tim Patrick, TE Siale Fakailoatonga, TE Evan Moeai and OL Nick Nowakowski as guys who are definitely out this spring. Whittingham said OL J.J. Dielman and LB Marcus Sanders-Williams (who is definitely a linebacker and not a running back) should be able to join spring practice midway through. OL Nick Carman is more doubtful to return. The Utes are still officially waiting on hardship waivers to come through for Patrick and Moeai so they can play in 2016, but Whittingham considers both to be "slam dunk" cases and has gotten positive feedback from Utah's compliance department.
kgoon@sltrib.com
Twitter: @kylegoon