As Utah rolls into its third week of spring practice, a new quarterback has emerged in the battle to back up projected starter Devon Dampier.
During Tuesday's 20-minute practice media viewing session, Isaac Wilson continued to be Utah's second-string quarterback and looked improved from last week, showing better decisiveness and completing a few passes to Hunter Andrews, who shined in a hybrid running back/tight end/receiver role.
For the first time, however, we got to see someone other than Dampier and Wilson at the position — freshman Byrd Ficklin.
Assuming the No. 3 QB role in the end-of-practice scrimmage, Ficklin was impressive, leading the offense down the field while completing passes to wide receiver Creed Whittemore, running back NaQuari Rodgers and wide receiver Rayshawn Glover. Later in the drive, he also added a run for a first down.
"Some guys are stepping up, really impressed with Byrd Ficklin, the quarterback, true freshman. He's doing some good things," Utah coach Kyle Whittingham said.
During the brief time he was in, Ficklin made good decisions in the run-pass option and had a jump pass that was one of the best plays of the media viewing session.
"He's getting really good command of the offense. He's got a big-time arm," Whittingham said.
Ficklin, once a Texas State commit before flipping to Utah, had an impressive senior season at Muskogee High, throwing for 2,218 yards and 28 touchdowns on 62% accuracy as he led his team to a 12-0 regular season and a place in the championship game.
"His arm is live and he's accurate. He's put on some weight. He was real thin when he got here, but he's put on like 15 pounds since he's all here and he is really starting to feel comfortable in the offense and doing things that we saw him doing in his high school days," Whittingham said.
While Wilson still has the upper leg on the QB2 job, due to his game experience last season and time in the program, the backup battle still isn't settled, and likely won't be until the fall.
As expected, projected starting quarterback Devon Dampier has a great grasp of offensive coordinator Jason Beck's scheme since the two worked together last season at New Mexico, and as a result, Utah is further ahead at the quarterback position at this point than it normally would be with a new coordinator and quarterback.
On Tuesday, Dampier was as billed — completing passes to Creed Whittemore, Wayshawn Parker and Dadrien Zipperer, who hauled in a 20-yarder, while also executing his designed runs well for a couple of first downs. His elusiveness was also on display, as he was pressured by defensive tackle Dallas Vakalahi but escaped and turned it into a positive play.
Both Whittemore and Zippererer stood out during the viewing period as Utah tries to dial in its starters in the wide receiver room.
"We feel confident in a bunch of them. It's just who's going to step up consistently and make plays. So it's not like we're searching for a guy that can catch a ball or make a play, it's who's going to step up and be the go-to guy — that has to happen," Whittingham said.
Aside from a "sack" of Dampier from Smith Snowden, the offensive line continues to impress during media evaluations.
The other standout defensive plays were by defensive tackles Mike Tauteoli, who stopped a run in the backfield, and Jonah Lea'ea, who had a good pressure on Dampier.
Andrews caught a few passes from Wilson and also had a couple of nice runs during the observation period. He should be a versatile option for Beck to use creatively, just like Johnson.
"He's a typical big back, when he's in the backfield does a great job in blitz pickup. He's got excellent speed. He's a 4.4 (40-yard dash) kid, so he's got the ability to go the distance," Whittingham said of Andrews.
"He was a really good running back in high school over 1,000 yards a senior year and he's also doing a lot of things at the tight end spots. So he's one of those guys kind of like Nate Johnson that's playing several positions."
Speaking of Johnson, the "Swiss army knife" continued to showcase his versatility, playing in different places all over the field and making plays.
"I came back to play the athlete role, being the 'Swiss army knife,' doing quarterback, for real just doing everything and I'm really glad to be back here. Coach Whitt has that trust in me to be a 'Swiss army knife' and he trusted me to come back here and be a playmaker," Johnson said. "Obviously there's new coaches, new players, and so far it's been a good six practices."
Snowden played nickel throughout the observation period, and from Whittingham's comments, it seems like he'll be spending a lot of time there. Elijah Davis has a "really good hold" on one of the outside corner spots, per Whittingham, and UC Davis transfer senior Blake Cotton and Texas A&M redshirt junior transfer Don Saunders, along with redshirt freshman LaTristan Thompson, are battling for the other starting spot.
"Right now I'd say Blake Cotton is doing some good things as is Donovan Saunders. LaTristan Thompson's doing a good job," Whittingham said.
The practice was very competitive and at one point, the offense and defense got into a bit of a scrum after a play. Both sides were fired up after that.
Practice closed with new kicker Dillon Curtis attempting a 50-yard field goal. To try and simulate pressure, the entire team huddled a few feet from him, yelling and screaming, but he made the kick and the team mobbed him.
Curtis arrives at Utah with high expectations after his senior season at Murray, where he set Utah state records for the longest field-goal in UHSAA history, 63 yards, and most made field goals in a game, six.
