OCR Text |
Show DAILY UTAH CHRONICLE Monday, August 20, 2012 9 FOOTBALL Grading the Utes: offense Parker Lee In the lead-up to the football season, The Daily Utah Chronicle staff writer Parker Lee will grade the Utes by each position group. Today, he evaluates the Utes' offense. Check back tomorrow to see how the defense stacks up. strongest arm, but he is a freshman without the experience of the more seasoned athletes. Head coach Kyle Whittingham said Hays' experience from last season is what gives him the slight edge over Wilson. The Utes hope a back-up won't be needed, but with Wynn's injury history, both Hays and Wilson could see snaps at some point. Quarterbacks Grade: C The quarterback position has been a question mark for Utah ever since now-offensive coordinator Brian Johnson graduated after the 2008 season. Jordan Wynn was adequate in his four starts last season, but he went down with a shoulder injury for the second straight season. Wynn will again be the starter in game one and he looked solid in fall camp. However, history has shown he doesn't have the durability to make it through a whole season unscathed. Jon Hays is currently listed as Wynn's backup. Hays took over last season in Wynn's absence and went 6-3 as the Utes' starter. He finished with 1,459 yards passing to go along with 12 touchdown passes. Hays has the No. 2 spot for now, but freshman Travis Wilson might overtake him. Wilson is the most mobile quarterback on the roster and has the Running backs Grade: AIn many ways, running back John White saved Utah's season last year. When Wynn went down for the season, White stepped up and put the offense on his back. In the process, White set the school record for rushing yards in a season with 1,519 yards. White garnered second team AllPac-12 honors for his performance in 2011, and he will not only be Utah's go-to guy in 2012 but will also be one of the top backs in the conference, if he stays healthy. White faces a couple of issues, however. His 2011 success means defenses will key in on him and it would be tough for him to withstand another Soo-plus carry season. This season, however, White won't be the only tailback the Utes will utilize. Junior college transfer Kelvin York appeared to be Utah's clear-cut second running back at the conclusion STAFF WRITER of spring camp, but freshman Jarrell Oliver impressed the coaching staff in fall camp to the point that he gave York a run for his money. York will be the No. 2 back, but Oliver will also get a few carries. With White leading the ground game and York following behind him, Utah has the potential to have the best running attack in the Pac-12 South. Tight ends/wide receivers Grade: B+ Jordan Wynn will not have to worry about to whom he is throwing the ball as Utah returns its top four receivers from last season. DeVonte Christopher led the team last season with 663 receiving yards and five touchdowns. He will be one of Wynn's favorite targets. Wynn will also have Dres Anderson and Luke Matthews to throw to. Christopher, Anderson and Matthews combined for more than 1,000 yards receiving last season. At the tight end position, Utah will try to replace Dallin Rogers, who had 22 catches last year. David Rolf is the seasoned veteran at tight end and he returns for his senior season. Jake Murphy showed promise as a freshman last season and he will be the other tight end to see significant time. The tight ends might not be targeted as much as they were last year, but both Rolf and Murphy are capable if Wynn needs to dump off a pass from time to time. Offensive line Grade: BThe Utah offensive line does not have anywhere near the same level of experience as it had last season. Allconference tackles Tony Bergstrom and John Cullen both graduated, leaving some big holes on the edges. True freshman Jeremiah Poutasi is listed as the Utes' starter at left tackle and will have to adjust quickly from high school-caliber play to Pac-12 competition. Utah does have a few familiar faces on the front line, however. Center Tevita Stevens has been a mainstay in the middle for what seems like a decade. Right guard Sam Brenner has also been solid in his time as a Ute. Stevens and Brenner will do their jobs. Depth is also an unknown for the offensive line. If Brenner goes down with an injury, freshman Siaosi Aiono will step in at right guard. Poutasi's back-up at left tackle is also a freshman. Overall, the offensive line should be fine with Stevens and Brenner in the middle, but Utah's tackles are a toss-up. p.lee@chronicle.utah.edu Deals for food, entertainment and everything else for students, faculty and staff at the University of Utah. Go to: www.UtahCampusDeals.com and sign up today to get $10 in Deal Bucks! Are Rorschach inkblots also fine art? Apply to be an arts writer for The Daily Utah Chronicle Contact Billy Yang at b.yang@chronicle.utah.edu university "os jc- cpcv_ FEDERAL CREDIT UNION JOIN -tobvt. Ale< b e?;•rto-IA-gb • 4 GM-4. EyfRY N CHECK ACCINT Federally Insured by NCU While Supplies Last • • • • " 1/444.0 LENDER R nocZni‘oci/ Aug 22, llam - 12pm Olpin Student Union Panorama East |