WEBVTT 1 00:00:00.360 --> 00:00:03.759 Come on by the Red Zone store here on campus, 2 00:00:03.799 --> 00:00:07.160 brand new layout, a bunch of different good deals. As 3 00:00:07.160 --> 00:00:10.039 we are only sixteen days away from the start of 4 00:00:10.119 --> 00:00:12.480 football season for the University of Utah. 5 00:00:12.679 --> 00:00:14.439 Happy to welcome in our next guest. 6 00:00:14.279 --> 00:00:18.039 Managing editor over at youth Zone covers the Utah athletic program. 7 00:00:18.160 --> 00:00:20.960 Sammy Mora joins Usaday Wednesday. Sammy, how are you? 8 00:00:21.960 --> 00:00:23.160 I'm doing great? How are you? 9 00:00:23.679 --> 00:00:25.559 I'm doing really well. I've got to ask you are you? 10 00:00:26.280 --> 00:00:29.519 Are you currently a student at the University of Utah. 11 00:00:29.719 --> 00:00:33.240 I actually graduated with my BS from the U in 12 00:00:33.280 --> 00:00:34.119 twenty twenty one. 13 00:00:34.759 --> 00:00:37.119 Okay, all right, that a girl, congrats on that. But 14 00:00:37.200 --> 00:00:39.679 you are much younger than I am. And I'm here 15 00:00:39.679 --> 00:00:42.119 at the campus store, and so I've seen a lot 16 00:00:42.159 --> 00:00:45.719 of students coming and going. When did when did cowboy 17 00:00:45.799 --> 00:00:49.240 boots become a super popular fashion statement here on campus? 18 00:00:49.280 --> 00:00:50.439 This is a new thing for me. 19 00:00:51.640 --> 00:00:55.439 Honestly, I have no idea. I always you know, I 20 00:00:55.560 --> 00:00:57.880 have a writer who works for me at ut Zone, 21 00:00:57.920 --> 00:00:59.640 who is a senior at the you this year, and 22 00:01:00.079 --> 00:01:03.320 the generational divide between him, who's going to be twenty 23 00:01:03.359 --> 00:01:06.239 one in a couple of weeks and me who just 24 00:01:06.280 --> 00:01:09.799 turned twenty six is it feels massive. It feels massive 25 00:01:09.840 --> 00:01:12.359 even though we all are all under that branch of 26 00:01:12.400 --> 00:01:15.319 gen Z, I feel like there's a generational divide. 27 00:01:15.319 --> 00:01:17.239 So I honestly have no clue. 28 00:01:17.400 --> 00:01:20.280 Okay, fair enough, fair enough, Sammy, and my son is 29 00:01:20.280 --> 00:01:22.680 twenty about to turn twenty four. So I'm a big 30 00:01:22.719 --> 00:01:24.840 fan of your generation. Shout out to all the gen 31 00:01:24.920 --> 00:01:27.439 z ers out there. Here's where I want to start 32 00:01:27.519 --> 00:01:30.280 with you, as we are sixteen days away from kick 33 00:01:30.920 --> 00:01:33.560 what gives you the most confidence, Sammy that this year 34 00:01:33.640 --> 00:01:35.879 will look different than last, This will be a bounce 35 00:01:35.920 --> 00:01:37.200 back here for Utah year two. 36 00:01:37.280 --> 00:01:40.159 In this conference, I think. 37 00:01:40.079 --> 00:01:42.840 One of the biggest things that I have been you know, 38 00:01:43.000 --> 00:01:46.480 thinking about, focusing on and like writing about, has been 39 00:01:46.680 --> 00:01:49.359 you know, stability on the defensive side. I think that 40 00:01:49.400 --> 00:01:52.920 there's so many veterans that are coming back that wanted 41 00:01:52.920 --> 00:01:54.959 to write the ship, that wanted to go out on 42 00:01:55.000 --> 00:01:57.200 a high note, that I think that's going to help 43 00:01:57.280 --> 00:02:00.920 the defensive side of the ball and on these I think, 44 00:02:01.000 --> 00:02:04.000 you know, the new offense under Jason Beck Devin Dampier 45 00:02:04.079 --> 00:02:07.200 seems to be loved by every single player on this 46 00:02:07.319 --> 00:02:10.240 team almost and I think that having him lead this 47 00:02:10.319 --> 00:02:13.159 offense in a system that he understands with Jason Beck, 48 00:02:13.240 --> 00:02:15.560 I think that, you know, there's a lot to. 49 00:02:15.560 --> 00:02:16.719 Be optimistic about this. 50 00:02:16.719 --> 00:02:21.120 Season, and I honestly, you know, I think if everyone 51 00:02:21.120 --> 00:02:23.159 stays healthy, I think this should be a bounce back 52 00:02:23.240 --> 00:02:24.240 year for Utah. 53 00:02:24.319 --> 00:02:28.000 Of course, UH, quarterback is a position that everybody is 54 00:02:28.039 --> 00:02:31.360 focused on, not just a Utah but all over the country. 55 00:02:31.520 --> 00:02:34.879 Obviously we know the importance of the position. It's interesting 56 00:02:35.120 --> 00:02:37.680 to consider, Sammy, that seven of the top ten AP 57 00:02:37.879 --> 00:02:41.080 teams are breaking in new quarterbacks, and of course Utah 58 00:02:41.199 --> 00:02:45.520 is breaking in a new quarterback as well. Realistic expectations 59 00:02:45.599 --> 00:02:48.560 in your mind for Devin this year, Sammy, sound like what. 60 00:02:50.240 --> 00:02:52.879 I think, you know, the I don't think he's going 61 00:02:52.960 --> 00:02:55.840 to have the like over a thousand rushing yards this season. 62 00:02:55.879 --> 00:02:58.960 I think that's something that that expectation needs to be 63 00:02:59.039 --> 00:03:02.360 kind of tampered a little bit or that hope, because 64 00:03:02.400 --> 00:03:03.960 a lot of the reason why he had that many 65 00:03:04.039 --> 00:03:06.919 yards last season is that is the New Mexico offensive 66 00:03:06.919 --> 00:03:10.000 line was not the greatest and so he was a 67 00:03:10.000 --> 00:03:12.000 lot of those plays as he was being flushed out 68 00:03:12.000 --> 00:03:14.400 of the pocket quickly and he was running the ball. 69 00:03:14.439 --> 00:03:16.319 He was scrambling for his life, and I think with 70 00:03:16.960 --> 00:03:19.599 the stellar offensive line that Utah has, I don't think 71 00:03:19.639 --> 00:03:21.919 he's going to have as many of those, you know, 72 00:03:21.960 --> 00:03:24.479 get out of dodge plays. So I think that is 73 00:03:24.639 --> 00:03:27.599 something that I'm expecting is lower. I wouldn't be shocked 74 00:03:27.639 --> 00:03:30.080 if he's around the same amount of passing yards he 75 00:03:30.120 --> 00:03:32.199 was at last year, which was around twenty five hundred. 76 00:03:33.120 --> 00:03:35.800 I do expect the interception number to go down. He 77 00:03:35.840 --> 00:03:39.439 had twelve interceptions of twelve touchdowns last year. I expect 78 00:03:39.439 --> 00:03:40.800 those interception numbers to go down. 79 00:03:40.840 --> 00:03:41.879 There was last year. 80 00:03:41.919 --> 00:03:43.639 If you go back and you and you watch a 81 00:03:43.639 --> 00:03:45.680 lot of the New Mexico games, which I have done 82 00:03:45.719 --> 00:03:48.319 over the last few months, it's there were three or 83 00:03:48.319 --> 00:03:52.000 four interceptions that were not Devin's fault, Like balls were 84 00:03:52.000 --> 00:03:54.319 bouncing off wide receiver's hands, they were in a great 85 00:03:54.319 --> 00:03:57.159 position and they hit him square in the hands and 86 00:03:57.199 --> 00:04:00.759 then they dropped it. Balls were ripped out wide receivers 87 00:04:00.800 --> 00:04:03.199 hands tip drills. I think, so there was a handful 88 00:04:03.199 --> 00:04:05.639 of those that weren't Devin's fault. So I think that 89 00:04:05.759 --> 00:04:08.199 interception total is also going to go down. He's a 90 00:04:08.240 --> 00:04:10.280 smart guy and he knows what to do with the 91 00:04:10.319 --> 00:04:11.879 ball and where to put it and how to put 92 00:04:11.960 --> 00:04:13.639 his players in the best position to succeed. 93 00:04:14.400 --> 00:04:18.439 Speaking of wide receivers, Sammy, speaking of wide receivers, let's 94 00:04:18.439 --> 00:04:19.000 dig into it. 95 00:04:19.079 --> 00:04:22.199 So Utah has seventeen. 96 00:04:21.839 --> 00:04:25.120 On their roster, but only one who has more than 97 00:04:25.160 --> 00:04:30.680 thirty career catches. Coach wit this week during his media availability, said, 98 00:04:30.680 --> 00:04:33.639 they've identified the seven or eight that they like, and 99 00:04:33.639 --> 00:04:36.319 that's an important number because that's the number you travel with. 100 00:04:36.959 --> 00:04:39.480 What's your understanding, Sammy, of where we're at with this 101 00:04:39.560 --> 00:04:41.600 wide receiver room and how do you think ultimately it 102 00:04:41.639 --> 00:04:43.720 plays out with reps and catches and such. 103 00:04:44.920 --> 00:04:48.319 So I think there's been there's been some good development 104 00:04:48.759 --> 00:04:51.199 in the wide receiver room since fall campus started. We've 105 00:04:51.199 --> 00:04:54.240 heard a lot of good things about Tobias Merriweather, about 106 00:04:54.319 --> 00:04:57.720 Larry Simmons, the two transfers of that these added during 107 00:04:57.759 --> 00:05:01.160 the spring window. We heard a lot of about Dadrian Zipperer. 108 00:05:01.160 --> 00:05:02.839 We've heard a lot about Ryan Davis. 109 00:05:02.519 --> 00:05:03.279 Creed Wittemore. 110 00:05:03.319 --> 00:05:06.120 So there's there's guys that are starting to, you know, 111 00:05:06.800 --> 00:05:09.399 pick up speed and get like their feet underneath them 112 00:05:09.439 --> 00:05:11.160 and picking up stride and stuff and so I think, 113 00:05:11.560 --> 00:05:14.519 you know, I've said this most of the off season, 114 00:05:14.639 --> 00:05:17.560 Utah is not gonna have a thousand yard receiver. I 115 00:05:17.600 --> 00:05:19.439 don't think that's the case. I think you're gonna have 116 00:05:19.480 --> 00:05:21.199 one guy that's in like the eight hundred and nine 117 00:05:21.279 --> 00:05:24.160 hundred yard range, you probably have two that are in 118 00:05:24.199 --> 00:05:27.079 the seven to eight hundred, and then you probably have 119 00:05:27.199 --> 00:05:30.199 the rest or anywhere from seven hundred to one hundred. 120 00:05:30.240 --> 00:05:31.399 I think it kind. 121 00:05:31.279 --> 00:05:33.839 Of spreads out that way, and you have to factor 122 00:05:33.839 --> 00:05:35.160 in the tight ends as well. I think the tight 123 00:05:35.240 --> 00:05:39.199 ends are going to get theirs this year. But I think, honestly, 124 00:05:39.240 --> 00:05:41.439 I think the seven that Utah probably rolls with and 125 00:05:41.480 --> 00:05:43.800 this is just like you know, speculation on my end, 126 00:05:43.800 --> 00:05:48.040 but I think it's it's Tobias Merriweather, Larry Simmons, Ryan Davis, 127 00:05:48.240 --> 00:05:53.399 Creed Wittemore, Dadrian Zipper, Luca Calderella, and then you know, 128 00:05:54.279 --> 00:05:56.240 maybe you see Nate Johnson get thrown in there. You 129 00:05:56.240 --> 00:05:58.360 could see Justin Stevenson be thrown in there. There's a 130 00:05:58.360 --> 00:06:00.240 lot of guys that you could use on those last 131 00:06:00.240 --> 00:06:02.680 two spots. But I think from my vantage point, I 132 00:06:02.720 --> 00:06:06.920 think the top six are kind of easy to figure 133 00:06:06.920 --> 00:06:09.040 out based on roster based on what coaches have said, 134 00:06:09.079 --> 00:06:11.040 what's based on what players have said, stuff like that. 135 00:06:11.199 --> 00:06:13.839 So you know, I you guys, I'm not gonna have 136 00:06:13.839 --> 00:06:16.439 a thousand yard receiver, but I'm not. That's not keeping 137 00:06:16.439 --> 00:06:18.759 me up at night about this team, and I think 138 00:06:18.839 --> 00:06:21.199 that it shouldn't keep fans up at night either. 139 00:06:21.680 --> 00:06:25.519 Wasyshan Parker, with a very solid freshman campaign up on 140 00:06:25.560 --> 00:06:29.519 the police for Wazoo, averaging more than five yards of carry. 141 00:06:30.279 --> 00:06:33.120 Seems like a very confident young man. Discussing his desire 142 00:06:33.199 --> 00:06:36.319 to go over one thousand yards Utah, I believe as 143 00:06:36.439 --> 00:06:40.240 seventeen one thousand yard running backs in its history. Wasshaan 144 00:06:40.319 --> 00:06:42.720 even said he'd like to touch fifteen hundred, which we 145 00:06:42.720 --> 00:06:46.120 would love to see. Little surprise to hear Coach Witt 146 00:06:46.120 --> 00:06:49.160 talk about that right now. Is a competition in that room, 147 00:06:49.199 --> 00:06:52.519 Naquari Rodgers, I guess making some headway as well. And look, 148 00:06:52.560 --> 00:06:55.480 you want multiple options, Sammy, As you know, I think 149 00:06:55.519 --> 00:06:58.560 a lot of people, and I'll put myself in that area. 150 00:06:58.680 --> 00:07:00.879 Believe maybe Wasshan would be bit of a bell cow. 151 00:07:01.360 --> 00:07:04.040 But what are your thoughts on what we are seeing 152 00:07:04.079 --> 00:07:06.240 in that room? And do you think way Shan maybe 153 00:07:06.240 --> 00:07:09.360 eventually does take the majority of those reps. 154 00:07:09.680 --> 00:07:12.040 I wouldn't be shocked if, if you know, if way 155 00:07:12.079 --> 00:07:17.079 Shawn starts hitting his stride and is product that producing 156 00:07:17.079 --> 00:07:18.720 at a high level, I wouldn't be shocked to see, 157 00:07:18.759 --> 00:07:22.120 you know, him maybe take the bellcal of the responsibilities 158 00:07:22.120 --> 00:07:24.720 at some point in the season. But I'm not it's 159 00:07:24.759 --> 00:07:27.680 not I don't think it's It shouldn't be scary or 160 00:07:27.720 --> 00:07:31.000 discouraging or or anything to see. And hear Wit talking 161 00:07:31.040 --> 00:07:34.160 about Nacari Rodgers as well. Nacari was part of this 162 00:07:34.240 --> 00:07:37.160 offense last year at New Mexico. He's played at Jason Becky, 163 00:07:37.160 --> 00:07:40.319 He's played with Devin Dampier. He knows what they expect 164 00:07:40.399 --> 00:07:43.959 and what they want to know for this offense. And 165 00:07:44.480 --> 00:07:46.879 Jason beck has spoke so much about his circle of 166 00:07:46.920 --> 00:07:49.800 trust and putting the eleven guys out on the field 167 00:07:49.800 --> 00:07:52.399 that he trusts the most to get their responsibilities done. 168 00:07:52.519 --> 00:07:55.120 And it's clear that you know, Nakari is still one 169 00:07:55.160 --> 00:07:58.240 of those guys. I don't think it's a knock on Wayshan. 170 00:07:58.480 --> 00:08:00.639 I think it just proves that both of those guys 171 00:08:00.720 --> 00:08:03.160 are able to get the job done. I mean, Devin 172 00:08:03.199 --> 00:08:05.800 said earlier this week, he said that he doesn't like 173 00:08:05.839 --> 00:08:08.199 it's very interchangeable between the two of them. He knows 174 00:08:08.199 --> 00:08:09.680 that whoever he hands it off to out of those 175 00:08:09.720 --> 00:08:11.360 two is going to get him four or five yards. 176 00:08:11.639 --> 00:08:13.560 So I think that that should be encouraging right there, 177 00:08:13.560 --> 00:08:16.839 that you have two running backs that can, you know, 178 00:08:17.000 --> 00:08:19.600 get you half of your ten yards in one play 179 00:08:19.639 --> 00:08:22.040 if things go well. And with his offensive line, you 180 00:08:22.040 --> 00:08:23.759 know that there should be a lot of push and 181 00:08:23.759 --> 00:08:26.240 there should be the ability to break off those big runs. 182 00:08:26.680 --> 00:08:30.160 But I think those two are a great one two 183 00:08:30.319 --> 00:08:32.679 are one A one B is what I should actually say. 184 00:08:33.080 --> 00:08:35.559 But you know, Bryce Duke will get his the old 185 00:08:35.600 --> 00:08:38.159 dominion transfer. I think Jason Beck has called him more 186 00:08:38.200 --> 00:08:41.600 of a receiving a RECEI he said, he's a running 187 00:08:41.600 --> 00:08:44.360 back who has really good hands and has the ability 188 00:08:44.399 --> 00:08:46.519 to be a good receiver. So I think that you'll 189 00:08:46.559 --> 00:08:51.559 see Bryson situations where you know, maybe unreceiving plays stuff 190 00:08:51.600 --> 00:08:53.759 like that, but you will see him still tote the rock. 191 00:08:54.360 --> 00:08:59.039 Daniel Bray the true freshman from Texas, fast, speedy guy, 192 00:08:59.120 --> 00:09:01.279 probably one of the Sassas guys on the team. I 193 00:09:01.320 --> 00:09:03.279 think he logged like a four to three, four or 194 00:09:03.360 --> 00:09:06.759 something of that effect during his high. 195 00:09:06.639 --> 00:09:07.720 School career and stuff. 196 00:09:08.000 --> 00:09:09.879 So I think that you I think those are probably 197 00:09:09.879 --> 00:09:11.840 the four you're going to see the most of this season. 198 00:09:11.879 --> 00:09:14.399 But I mean, when has Utah ever had a running 199 00:09:14.399 --> 00:09:18.840 back by committee approach that hasn't been successful? I think 200 00:09:18.879 --> 00:09:20.360 that you know, they have guys that can do a 201 00:09:20.399 --> 00:09:21.960 bunch of different things and that's just going to make 202 00:09:22.000 --> 00:09:22.799 this offense better. 203 00:09:23.399 --> 00:09:27.000 Big twelve Media Days, Coach Wit hopped on with myself 204 00:09:27.039 --> 00:09:30.519 and Sean Sean O'Connell and dropped at I don't know 205 00:09:30.559 --> 00:09:34.039 if he intentionally did this, but dropped a little tidbit. 206 00:09:33.679 --> 00:09:34.960 That got a lot of attention. 207 00:09:35.799 --> 00:09:39.440 And it was funny because after Kyle joined us about 208 00:09:39.480 --> 00:09:43.360 five minutes later, both Smith Snowden and Lander Barton were 209 00:09:43.360 --> 00:09:46.440 our guests as well, and so Coach Witt on our 210 00:09:46.519 --> 00:09:49.320 show said that they plan on using Smith and Lander 211 00:09:49.399 --> 00:09:52.559 on offense this year. And then when they stopped by, 212 00:09:52.639 --> 00:09:54.639 I asked them about it and they looked at me like, 213 00:09:54.840 --> 00:09:56.799 I don't think we're supposed to say this, and I said, well, 214 00:09:56.840 --> 00:09:58.480 just so you know, your head coach just did. 215 00:09:59.039 --> 00:09:59.159 Uh. 216 00:09:59.240 --> 00:10:00.879 So it was kind of a fun any dynamic there. 217 00:10:00.919 --> 00:10:04.200 But what's your understanding, Sammy, of what that will look 218 00:10:04.279 --> 00:10:07.159 like this year with Lander and Smith potentially getting some 219 00:10:07.200 --> 00:10:09.159 reps on the offensive side of the football. 220 00:10:10.159 --> 00:10:12.559 Yeah, and then Kyle told us at Big twelve media 221 00:10:12.639 --> 00:10:14.759 days that it's going to be Smith's in the slot, 222 00:10:14.879 --> 00:10:17.639 Lander at tight end. I think that, you know, Lander 223 00:10:17.759 --> 00:10:21.399 was a was a highly productive tight end in high school, 224 00:10:21.399 --> 00:10:23.480 and I understand that the level of competition he was 225 00:10:23.519 --> 00:10:24.360 going up against. 226 00:10:24.120 --> 00:10:25.600 In high school is different than he's going to be 227 00:10:25.600 --> 00:10:25.960 going up. 228 00:10:25.879 --> 00:10:29.960 Against now, but highly highly productive guy just with his 229 00:10:30.120 --> 00:10:33.039 size and his catch radiousness, frame and stuff like that. 230 00:10:33.360 --> 00:10:35.840 So I think that's interesting to see. And then Smith, 231 00:10:35.919 --> 00:10:39.440 you know, we saw what Smith can do in special 232 00:10:39.480 --> 00:10:43.120 team situation, whether it's on punts, kickoffs, whatever, last season, 233 00:10:43.159 --> 00:10:47.039 and how fast and how elite of an athlete he is. 234 00:10:47.080 --> 00:10:48.639 So I think, you know, this all goes back to 235 00:10:48.720 --> 00:10:51.519 Jason Beck saying putting the best eleven players on the field. 236 00:10:51.559 --> 00:10:54.519 I'm not saying that you're going to see Smith and 237 00:10:54.919 --> 00:10:58.840 Lander playing Travis Hunter level of levels of snaps on 238 00:10:58.879 --> 00:11:01.039 both sides of the ball there. I'mary focus is going 239 00:11:01.080 --> 00:11:03.399 to remain on the defense. It's just there's going to 240 00:11:03.440 --> 00:11:06.120 be certain packages there's going to be certain situations in 241 00:11:06.159 --> 00:11:08.440 which those two are on the offensive side of the ball, 242 00:11:08.799 --> 00:11:11.720 and you know, if it works, it works. If it 243 00:11:11.759 --> 00:11:14.080 doesn't work, it doesn't work. But I think that you know, 244 00:11:14.120 --> 00:11:16.320 you have to at least give it a shot because 245 00:11:17.000 --> 00:11:19.559 they're playmakers and you want to put the best playmakers 246 00:11:19.559 --> 00:11:20.519 on the field no matter what. 247 00:11:21.559 --> 00:11:23.840 So it's it's a very nice dynamic. 248 00:11:24.080 --> 00:11:26.879 Even though Utah is breaking in a new quarterback, we 249 00:11:27.039 --> 00:11:31.039 know who the quarterback is and it's Devin. But Sammy, 250 00:11:31.080 --> 00:11:33.919 if we've learned anything over the past, you know, two, three, 251 00:11:33.960 --> 00:11:36.799 four years, you got to have at least two, if 252 00:11:36.840 --> 00:11:40.200 not three, and some years you would like to have five. 253 00:11:40.759 --> 00:11:43.120 You don't want to rely on that. And I'm knocking 254 00:11:43.159 --> 00:11:43.360 on what. 255 00:11:43.480 --> 00:11:45.240 As hard as I can for Devin to stay as 256 00:11:45.240 --> 00:11:48.600 healthy as possible all year. But that room behind him 257 00:11:48.759 --> 00:11:51.039 has shaped up to be an interesting battle as I 258 00:11:51.039 --> 00:11:55.120 think most people, certainly myself included, assume that Isaac, as 259 00:11:55.159 --> 00:11:56.360 the incumbent. 260 00:11:55.879 --> 00:11:57.240 Would grab the backup job. 261 00:11:57.240 --> 00:12:01.679 But Kyle oftentimes and which back oftentimes have sung the 262 00:12:01.720 --> 00:12:05.519 praise is of young Bird Ficklin, who's competing with Isaac 263 00:12:05.519 --> 00:12:09.559 Wilson for that backup quarterback spot. What's your understanding of 264 00:12:09.559 --> 00:12:12.000 where that battle is now? In any thoughts on who 265 00:12:12.000 --> 00:12:13.320 could come out on top. 266 00:12:13.200 --> 00:12:16.039 At the end of the day, I mean, I think 267 00:12:16.480 --> 00:12:18.679 there's this is like the fact that this battle is 268 00:12:18.679 --> 00:12:21.480 still going on, I think proves that, you know, these 269 00:12:21.519 --> 00:12:24.159 two are are truly neck at neck and they are 270 00:12:24.720 --> 00:12:26.720 you know, playing at a at a at a high level, 271 00:12:26.759 --> 00:12:28.960 you know. And I say that, but Kyle also said, 272 00:12:28.960 --> 00:12:30.960 you know, they had some mistakes, string scrimmages. I mean, 273 00:12:31.120 --> 00:12:34.039 to be completely honest, that's kind of to be expected 274 00:12:34.080 --> 00:12:36.159 for some guys that are, you know, still trying to 275 00:12:36.240 --> 00:12:37.320 learn the offense and get. 276 00:12:37.200 --> 00:12:38.679 Used to all the moving parts and stuff. 277 00:12:38.720 --> 00:12:42.519 But I you know, Isaac has there's there's pros and 278 00:12:42.519 --> 00:12:43.480 concert both of them. 279 00:12:43.480 --> 00:12:43.720 I think. 280 00:12:43.720 --> 00:12:45.559 I think Isaac the big pro that you have is, 281 00:12:45.799 --> 00:12:47.960 you know, he has all that live game experience that 282 00:12:48.000 --> 00:12:50.039 Bird doesn't have. I mean, Kyle said the same thing. 283 00:12:50.039 --> 00:12:51.600 He's like, you don't know how Bird's going to react 284 00:12:51.600 --> 00:12:55.399 in a in a live game situation because he's a 285 00:12:55.440 --> 00:12:58.399 true freshman, whereas Isaac has all that live experience. 286 00:12:58.480 --> 00:13:00.879 And then on the other side. 287 00:13:00.399 --> 00:13:05.039 Bird is very much a true dual threat. He is 288 00:13:05.799 --> 00:13:09.639 very agile, a very good athlete. He he also kind. 289 00:13:09.480 --> 00:13:11.120 Of has that same sense that Devin has. 290 00:13:11.159 --> 00:13:13.159 If he knows how to tucket and run when he 291 00:13:13.240 --> 00:13:15.919 needs to, and he has some speed, he's up to 292 00:13:15.919 --> 00:13:18.639 two hundred pounds, he looks the part, and I think that, 293 00:13:19.039 --> 00:13:21.320 you know, that's what Bird has that maybe Isaac doesn't, 294 00:13:21.399 --> 00:13:24.399 is that elusiveness when running the ball, which I think 295 00:13:24.480 --> 00:13:27.320 is something that is highly valued in this offense. But 296 00:13:27.720 --> 00:13:29.240 you know, at the end of the day, like it's 297 00:13:29.240 --> 00:13:32.759 going to come down to, you know, consistency in practice, who. 298 00:13:32.600 --> 00:13:34.679 Is getting the job done, Who's not turning. 299 00:13:34.399 --> 00:13:36.360 The ball over that we all know that's a Kyle 300 00:13:36.399 --> 00:13:39.720 Whittingham big thing is that you know he has who 301 00:13:39.759 --> 00:13:42.080 doesn't who keeps the ball safe no matter what position 302 00:13:42.120 --> 00:13:44.639 it is. If you don't keep the ball safe, you're probably. 303 00:13:44.360 --> 00:13:46.720 Not going to see the field that much. And so 304 00:13:46.759 --> 00:13:47.840 I think, who's going to keep. 305 00:13:47.720 --> 00:13:50.960 The ball safe, Who's like competing at a high level. 306 00:13:51.080 --> 00:13:53.559 And then you know, if it does come down to 307 00:13:53.639 --> 00:13:55.759 live game experience, then it's probably going to be Isaac. 308 00:13:55.840 --> 00:13:58.159 But if it comes down to you know, mobility factors, 309 00:13:58.159 --> 00:14:00.919 then I think it could be Bird. Like honestly, I 310 00:14:01.039 --> 00:14:04.519 have no idea who it could be at this point. 311 00:14:04.600 --> 00:14:07.080 You know, there was moments in spring where Isaac looked 312 00:14:07.159 --> 00:14:10.559 like he was like he was in control of the 313 00:14:10.720 --> 00:14:12.919 of the sect of the Chu spot. But then there 314 00:14:12.919 --> 00:14:14.960 were days where Bird looked like he was beating Isaac 315 00:14:15.000 --> 00:14:17.200 by a mile. So you know, it's kind of hard 316 00:14:17.240 --> 00:14:19.039 to you know, give a full read on that one. 317 00:14:19.039 --> 00:14:21.639 We don't get to see anything at practice and stuff. 318 00:14:22.279 --> 00:14:25.360 Over to a couple questions defensively here and I don't 319 00:14:25.360 --> 00:14:28.360 know if you heard, Sammy, but Keanu Tonavasa transferred to BYU. 320 00:14:28.440 --> 00:14:30.159 I don't did you catch onto that story? 321 00:14:30.480 --> 00:14:33.240 That is brand new news to me? 322 00:14:33.639 --> 00:14:35.799 Okay, little little breaking news on a Wednesday. 323 00:14:35.799 --> 00:14:39.279 Then obviously a kid and Utah's losses BYU's game. That 324 00:14:39.360 --> 00:14:42.519 kid is good and he is uh uh, he. 325 00:14:42.399 --> 00:14:43.240 Does leave a hole. 326 00:14:44.039 --> 00:14:46.399 I know we're all taught to never questioned coach wits 327 00:14:46.440 --> 00:14:49.840 defense and Morgan's defense, So talk to me about how 328 00:14:49.840 --> 00:14:52.240 that d line is kind of settling in. And then 329 00:14:52.360 --> 00:14:55.440 Cameron Calhoun is Crimson Tide, how are they going to 330 00:14:55.759 --> 00:14:56.799 replace him? 331 00:14:56.799 --> 00:14:58.600 And what is that hole looking like as of now? 332 00:14:59.559 --> 00:15:03.159 Also with the with the corner back room, so obviously 333 00:15:03.200 --> 00:15:05.360 you have Scooby and Smith, who have kind of you know, 334 00:15:06.000 --> 00:15:09.240 locked locked in so to speak. I mean Shreefshaw hates 335 00:15:09.320 --> 00:15:12.080 using the word locked in or established, but those two 336 00:15:12.240 --> 00:15:15.519 have you know, firm control on Nickel and one of 337 00:15:15.559 --> 00:15:20.799 the outside corner spots, respectively. But Kyle Whittingham said on Monday, yeah, Monday, 338 00:15:20.840 --> 00:15:23.679 that Blake Cotton has finally started to pull away on 339 00:15:23.720 --> 00:15:26.399 that outside corner spot. And Blake's the Blake's of transfer 340 00:15:26.480 --> 00:15:29.759 from UC Davis six to three, long guy, athletic guy. 341 00:15:30.080 --> 00:15:32.440 He was someone that you know, us over're on your zone. 342 00:15:32.440 --> 00:15:35.080 We're bullish about winning the spot. Even if you go 343 00:15:35.120 --> 00:15:37.159 back to Spring and you see some of our post 344 00:15:37.240 --> 00:15:42.159 Spring content, like Blake has the smarts and the skill 345 00:15:42.240 --> 00:15:44.759 set to be a high level corner and you know 346 00:15:44.840 --> 00:15:47.720 he only has one year to play, and the thing 347 00:15:47.799 --> 00:15:50.600 is is like, if you can get him going, that's great. 348 00:15:50.799 --> 00:15:53.919 And but then at the same time there, I think 349 00:15:53.960 --> 00:15:56.440 his battle is far from over over. You have uh 350 00:15:56.960 --> 00:15:59.960 Rock Cauldwell, the GICO transfer that's also competing for that spot, 351 00:16:00.080 --> 00:16:01.799 and you also have Don Sauders of Texas A and 352 00:16:01.919 --> 00:16:04.799 m transfer, So there's a lot of guys that are 353 00:16:04.840 --> 00:16:07.440 all fighting for that spot, and they're fighting for time 354 00:16:07.919 --> 00:16:11.440 and I think that, you know, Shariff said or Kyle said, someone. 355 00:16:11.159 --> 00:16:13.000 Said so not of something on the coaching staff said 356 00:16:13.039 --> 00:16:13.919 that it might. 357 00:16:13.799 --> 00:16:16.120 Get to a point where it's cornerback by a committee. 358 00:16:16.399 --> 00:16:19.360 And you know, Scooby is not the tallest guy, and 359 00:16:19.600 --> 00:16:23.440 both Blake and Rock are six two sixty three sixty four, 360 00:16:23.840 --> 00:16:25.639 So I think that you know, you might see some 361 00:16:25.679 --> 00:16:28.720 different packages depending on what personnel are lining up across 362 00:16:28.720 --> 00:16:31.080 from Utah, depending on the team, depending on the situation. 363 00:16:31.600 --> 00:16:34.679 But you know, I like Blake. Blake Blakes film is 364 00:16:34.720 --> 00:16:36.559 one of the funner ones to watch, I think, And 365 00:16:36.720 --> 00:16:40.879 you know, if he maintains that that spot, I don't 366 00:16:40.879 --> 00:16:41.440 have any. 367 00:16:41.279 --> 00:16:42.159 Concerns about him. 368 00:16:42.200 --> 00:16:44.600 You know, Shreefshot described him as a sponge, Like that's 369 00:16:44.600 --> 00:16:46.399 something great you want to hear about from a corner, 370 00:16:46.480 --> 00:16:49.720 especially one that has only been with your program since January. 371 00:16:50.919 --> 00:16:53.399 And then defensive line, I think, you know, you kind 372 00:16:53.440 --> 00:16:55.320 of have some semblance of an idea who's going to 373 00:16:55.360 --> 00:16:57.440 be on the ends. It's going to be Logan Fano 374 00:16:57.559 --> 00:17:00.879 on one end, and then you know, the the rest 375 00:17:00.919 --> 00:17:03.759 of the pack is like Cash Dylan, Lancefold's Claw, John 376 00:17:03.759 --> 00:17:07.839 Henry Daily, Paul Fitzgerald, all of those guys are going 377 00:17:07.920 --> 00:17:10.319 to be, you know, getting time in the rotation. So 378 00:17:11.359 --> 00:17:13.519 not a lot of production on that defense at end room, 379 00:17:13.680 --> 00:17:16.640 but a lot of talent, like a lot of guys 380 00:17:16.640 --> 00:17:17.240 that can get. 381 00:17:17.119 --> 00:17:18.160 Back to the quarterback. 382 00:17:18.200 --> 00:17:20.920 And you know, Morgan said, it's not he's not focused, 383 00:17:20.960 --> 00:17:23.000 so he's not focused as much on Sax as he 384 00:17:23.039 --> 00:17:26.400 as of getting pressured at the quarterback and forcing the 385 00:17:26.440 --> 00:17:30.400 quarterback to make bad decisions. But then at the tackles position, 386 00:17:30.440 --> 00:17:32.720 you know, the three that we we know are established 387 00:17:32.920 --> 00:17:36.759 are Aliki Viamahi, Dallas Bakalai, and John aala Aa. Which 388 00:17:36.799 --> 00:17:39.480 then that kind of leaves that that d tackles four 389 00:17:39.599 --> 00:17:42.920 slash five spot open because you know, utile act to 390 00:17:43.000 --> 00:17:44.839 go four to five deep at that position, so they 391 00:17:44.880 --> 00:17:47.480 can rotate guys in, keep guys fresh, all that jazz 392 00:17:47.519 --> 00:17:50.279 and stuff. And so I think the names that we've 393 00:17:50.319 --> 00:17:52.640 heard the most recently is Carson Kaslusi, the true freshman 394 00:17:52.680 --> 00:17:56.119 out of Skyline High School, big guy six five, came 395 00:17:56.160 --> 00:17:57.880 in at a great weight, didn't have to they didn't 396 00:17:57.880 --> 00:17:59.400 have to worry about getting it, getting him up to 397 00:17:59.400 --> 00:18:01.160 wait for him to time and stuff. He was here. 398 00:18:01.200 --> 00:18:03.519 That's the spring he's someone that we think could be 399 00:18:03.559 --> 00:18:07.559 an early contributor for Utah and then a late enrollly, 400 00:18:07.640 --> 00:18:09.480 so he didn't get here until a couple of months ago. 401 00:18:09.559 --> 00:18:12.480