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Though he's only a sophomore, Junior Tafuna is taking on more of a leadership role this season. "I like to play around and have fun," he said. "It's been a humbling experience because I've grown and matured out here on the field. I'm just taking things more seriously and it's helped me a lot." What did Tafuna learn from last season and what has he focused on during the offseason? "One thing is preparation. You never know when your number is going to get called. You've got to be prepared. I'm trying to remind myself every day to be prepared because you never know when it's going to be my last down or my last play with my brothers," he said. "One thing specifically I've worked on is being more attentive and smarter on the field. Looking at my keys, looking at the guard, seeing his eyes, reading the backfield and the tight ends, everything. I've tried to engrain that this fall camp." Defensive coordinator Morgan Scalley is impressed with Tafuna's development over the years. "This is a guy that was playing linebacker and D-end in high school. We knew he was twitchy enough. It was a matter of putting on the weight. Our staff does an unbelievable job making sure we're putting on the right weight, not doing it too quick," Scalley said. - Deseret News

(DS#46 DT) rSr/2025

DT Junior Tafuna, Utah
News Source: Deseret News
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08/15/22 - *Clark Phillips III, rSo/2023, Utah, 5-09, 184 (DS#9 CB) + More +

When the first-team defense takes on the first-team offense during Utah's fall camp practices, cornerback Clark Phillips III seeks out wide receiver Devaughn Vele. And Vele, naturally, seeks out Phillips. Vele has established himself as wide receiver No. 1 for the Utes, while Phillips is Utah's No. 1 cornerback and is regarded as one of the top corners in the country. It makes for some compelling matchups, intense competition and spirited verbal exchanges between the two. More importantly, Vele and Phillips are making each other better. As the Utes like to say, iron sharpens iron. "It's amazing. You should see it in practice, every time we have ones-on-ones. We're always calling each other out. We're always the first ones to step up. That's the kind of work I need," Vele said. "He's an NFL-caliber corner. If I want to get to that next level, I need to go against somebody every day that's going to bring that caliber of talent."

Phillips, who already has lined up against some of the most talented wide receivers in college football during his career, said he enjoys going up against Utah's receivers, particularly Vele, who caught 23 passes for 389 yards and a touchdown in 2021. "You see guys like Devaughn Vele, he feels like Megatron now," Phillips said, referring to former Detroit Lions great Calvin Johnson. "It's a blessing to have that. We go at it every single day." Sometimes, Vele gets the best of Phillips; sometimes Phillips gets the best of Vele. "I'm like, 'Dang, I was right there. I was right upon you and you still caught it. What do I need to do?" Phillips recalled. "I tell Devaughn I'll get him next time. - Deseret News

(DS#9 CB) rSo/2023

CB *Clark Phillips III, Utah
News Source: Deseret News
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08/14/22 - Mohamoud Diabate, Sr/2023, Utah, 6-4, 225 (DS#11 ILB) + More +

In January, linebacker Mohamoud Diabate transferred from Florida to Utah. During the spring, he was sidelined from practices as he recovered from shoulder surgery. Now, during fall camp, Diabate is finally on the field and practicing with his teammates. "So far, so good. It's an amazing feeling just to be out here and to be with the guys, to get a feel for it and compete," said the senior from Auburn, Alabama. "It's been what I've been waiting for since I touched down here in January. It's a great feeling." And as fate would have it, Diabate's first game as a Ute will be against his former team; Utah visits the Gators on Sept. 3. "He has tremendous range sideline to sideline. He's got great athleticism. He's got a good ability to deal with blockers. He's just an athlete. That's probably his best asset - his sheer athleticism." - Kyle Whittingham on Mohamoud Diabate.

That will certainly be a unique and unusual experience for Diabate. "Nothing compares to it. It's going to be a great environment, a great opportunity. It's like going to my ex-wife's house. It's going to be fun," he said. "I still have a lot of love and respect for those guys and the university (at Florida). Right now, we're just focusing on what we've gotta do. And when that time comes, it will come. We'll be ready." Diabate is expected to help fill the void left by Devin Lloyd, the 2021 Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year and a first-round NFL draft pick - by the Jacksonville Jaguars. - Deseret News

(DS#11 ILB) Sr/2023

ILB Mohamoud Diabate, Utah
News Source: Deseret News
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08/12/22 - Cole Bishop, Jr/2024, Utah, 6-2, 206 (DS#3 FS) + More +

Utah safety Cole Bishop came on strong at the end of last season. As a true freshman in 2021, the Peachtree City, Georgia, native became a starter in the ninth game of the season against Stanford. While Bishop established himself as a force in the Utes' defensive backfield, he worked hard in the offseason to improve his skill set. What aspect of his game did he focus on? "Definitely I need to improve on my man-coverage skills. We didn't run a ton of man last year and previously in Utah history we've been known to run a lot of man," Bishop said. "So I've focused a lot on that in film study, trying to make sure I know the defense as good as I can - not just my position but other positions as well."

As far as personal goals for this season? Bishop would like to get some takeaways. "I need some interceptions. I didn't get any last year," he said. "I need to get a few of those." Last season, Bishop was a Pac-12 all-conference honorable-mention selection and he led all true freshmen on the team with 54 tackles (nine for loss), three sacks and five pass breakups. He also blocked a 36-yard field goal attempt against Oregon. Against Arizona, Bishop tallied a career-high three tackles for loss, the most by a Utah true freshman since 2007. Defensive coordinator Morgan Scalley appreciates the diligence that Bishop brings to the program. "Cole's a stud. Cole's one that makes you a better coach, right?" he said. "He's another guy that's a student of the game. You see him studying film all the time." - Deseret News

(DS#3 FS) Jr/2024

FS Cole Bishop, Utah
News Source: Deseret News
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08/11/22 - Tobias Merriweather, rJr/2027, Utah, 6-4, 200 (DS#999 WR) + More +

Tobias Merriweather moves quickly. The four-star wide receiver recruit from the Portland suburb of West Camas, Wash., showed that on the football field during his decorated high school career. He also showed it on the track, where he ran a time of 21.80 in May to win the Washington state 4A 200-meter championship. Notre Dame came up empty in the transfer portal for wide receivers last offseason, but that doesn't mean the Irish didn't add an impact piece this June in Merriweather. What stands out about Merriweather, who has already added 13 pounds of muscle to his 6-foot-4, 198-pound frame since his arrival? "I think his talent," Irish offensive coordinator Tommy Rees said. "You see him (and think): 'This kid's got a chance.' It goes way deeper than that. He's got an unbelievable work ethic. He got himself ready in two months to start … camp, which is a testament to his work ethic, a testament to a couple guys on our staff that have helped get him ready." Rees also cited receivers coach Chansi Stuckey for doing "a tremendous job" with flattening Merriweather's learning curve.

All that Notre Dame can throw at the lanky freshman, Merriweather seems willing to take on. "He's a kid that's hungry for it," Rees said. "He's going to do more. That's kind of innately who he is. He's going to want more and learn and ask questions and prepare the right way. As a young player, to have a chance, you have to have that to play right away. I think he possesses that." Asked in late June about Merriweather and whether he will be ready for meaningful action this fall, Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman didn't hesitate. "I think he's going to have to be," Freeman told NDInsider.com. "He's got a long body that we don't have probably other than (6-5 sophomore) Deion Colzie. So, I believe he'll be able to help us early." - South Bend Tribune

(DS#999 WR) rJr/2027

WR Tobias Merriweather, Utah
News Source: South Bend Tribune
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08/11/22 - Cameron Rising, rSr/2025, Utah, 6-2, 220 (DS#28 QB) + More +

The University of Utah has its highest-ever preseason ranking. The Utes, 10-4 overall and Pac-12 champions for the first time last season, were slotted at No. 8 in the preseason AFCA Coaches Poll, released on Monday morning. The No. 8 preseason ranking eclipses the program's previous preseason high in either major poll, No. 14 in the AP Top 25 ahead of the 2019 season. That team peaked in early December of that season, getting to No. 5 in the AP and Coaches Polls, plus the College Football Playoff rankings.

Last season's Rose Bowl qualifier began the season unranked in the Coaches Poll, but wound up finishing 12th, its highest finish in that poll since the vaunted 13-0 2004 team finished fourth. Kyle Whittingham's program was joined Monday in the poll by fellow-Pac-12 programs Oregon (No. 12) and USC (No. 15). "You have to just embrace them," Whittingham said of managing expectations on Monday afternoon following Utah's fifth fall camp practice. "They are there and there's no hiding from them, so we will meet them head on. We have to understand we're getting a lot of national attention and we have to be mature enough to handle that, go about our business the right way and not think we have all the answers, that we've arrived." - Salt Lake Tribune

(DS#28 QB) rSr/2025

QB Cameron Rising, Utah
News Source: Salt Lake Tribune
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08/11/22 - Dalton Kincaid, rSr/2023, Utah, 6-4, 246 (DS#2 TE) + More +

2022 PRESEASON WUERFFEL TROPHY (COMMUNITY SERVICE) WATCHLIST: Dalton Kincaid, Utah, Sr., TE,...Entering 2022, Kincaid has 43 career games in Division I football after transferring to Utah in 2020 from San Diego. He earned All-Pac-12 honors in 2021 after playing in all 14 games with 14 starts, recording 36 receptions for 510 yards (14.2 ypc) and eight touchdowns. Kincaid is an avid volunteer in the Salt Lake community, working directly with autism non-profits, including the Kids on the Move program in Salt Lake City. - Utah Football

(DS#2 TE) rSr/2023

TE Dalton Kincaid, Utah
News Source: Utah Football
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08/11/22 - Dalton Kincaid, rSr/2023, Utah, 6-4, 246 (DS#2 TE) + More +

2022 PRESEASON ALLSTATE AFCA GOOD WORKS TEAM NOMINEE: Dalton Kincaid, University of Utah,...Kincaid's 14.2 yards per reception ranked third among tight ends in the Pac-12 while his eight touchdowns ranked third in the Pac-12 overall (first among TEs) and fifth among tight ends in the FBS. He scored at least one touchdown in the final three games of the season. Kincaid's versatility as a tight end became clear early on in 2021 when he went off for a season-high 75 yards on four catches against Weber State in the season opener, scoring two touchdowns. He also had four receptions for 61 yards and a touchdown in Utah's win over Oregon in the Pac-12 Championship game. The Las Vegas, Nev., native also was named a nominee for the AFCA Good Works Team for his commitment to serving the community. He is an avid volunteer in the Salt Lake community, working directly with autism non-profits, including the Kids on the Move program in Salt Lake City. - Utah Football

(DS#2 TE) rSr/2023

TE Dalton Kincaid, Utah
News Source: Utah Football
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08/11/22 - Devaughn Vele, rJr/2024, Utah, 6-4, 203 (DS#45 WR) + More +

Utah quarterback Cam Rising's surgically-repaired right shoulder is closer to 100% healthy than it was at this time a year ago, so Kyle Whittingham last week made no bones about what he wants to see more of from his offense this fall. But to whom? Collectively, the receiver room did not produce enough in 2021, a fact that fourth-year sophomore Devaughn Vele, the team's projected No. 1 wideout this fall, was willing to admit.

"Last year, we had a great season, but the receiver group, I felt like we won in spite of us a few times," Vele said Monday afternoon following the Utes' fifth practice of fall camp. "I thought we could have contributed a lot more last season. That's been how I've felt this offseason, and I think the rest of the group in the wide receiver room feels the same way. We have a lot of expectations upon us, but I'm confident we can do it." Vele, a former walk-on, enjoyed his best season as a collegian in 2021, finishing with 23 catches for 389 yards and a memorable flea-flicker touchdown at USC. Solomon Enis, a fifth-year senior, had 22 catches for 248 yards and a touchdown. - Salt Lake Tribune

(DS#45 WR) rJr/2024

WR Devaughn Vele, Utah
News Source: Salt Lake Tribune
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08/10/22 - Braeden Daniels, rJr/2023, Utah, 6-4, 307 (DS#6 OG) + More +

2022 PRESEASON ROTARY LOMBARDI AWARD WATCHLIST: Braeden Daniels, Utah, Jr RT,...Daniels, an offensive lineman from Carrollton, Texas, has played in 35 games at Utah with 29 starts between left guard and right tackle. He earned All-Pac-12 in 2021 after he started all 14 games, showing his versatility at both guard and tackle to lead the Utes to a No. 1 rushing offense ranking in the league with the Utes also ranking in the top-10 nationally in sacks allowed per game. Daniels also started all 14 games in 2021 as a redshirt freshman, dominating at the left guard spot to become the first freshman offensive lineman in the Kyle Whittingham era to start every game in a season. - Utah Football

(DS#6 OG) rJr/2023

OG Braeden Daniels, Utah
News Source: Utah Football
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08/09/22 - Tavion Thomas, rJr/2023, Utah, 6-0, 237 (DS#25 RB) + More +

Running back Tavion Thomas is grateful for the year he has spent in Utah's football program. He has certainly found a home with the Utes. "I've got a lot of experience here. Everything is slowing down for me," Thomas said. "I've gained some friendships here, some good relationships here. I've learned the culture." And Utah will be counting on him heavily this season after he broke the school's single-season rushing touchdown record with 21 and also rushed for more than 1,000 yards in 2021. "When you get to the NFL level, you can't get away with certain things that you can get away with in college. Your bad day could possibly be your last day. I have to train these guys to understand that you have to bring it every day." - Utah RBs coach Quinton Ganther on keeping his running backs motivated.

First-year Utah running backs coach Quinton Ganther loves the talent he's inherited, including Thomas. "The thing with me is, I'm going to try to push and get every ounce of everything they're capable of out of them," Ganther said. "I don't want any of them to get comfortable. I don't want Tavion to think he's made it and get comfortable and that he doesn't want to work. Something like that happens if the next guy up is as productive, I'm not going for it. I want it to be high competition. "When you get to the NFL level, you can't get away with certain things that you can get away with in college. Your bad day could possibly be your last day. I have to train these guys to understand that you have to bring it every day." Left tackle Braeden Daniels and the rest of the offensive line enjoys blocking for Thomas. "Having a guy like that running behind you is awesome," Daniels said. "The defenses fear you before you even play them. It's honestly great. He'll keep working and doing his thing." - Deseret News

(DS#25 RB) rJr/2023

RB Tavion Thomas, Utah
News Source: Deseret News
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08/09/22 - Cameron Rising, rSr/2025, Utah, 6-2, 220 (DS#28 QB) + More +

One year ago, Utah's Cam Rising was still recovering from shoulder surgery and embroiled in a quarterback battle with Baylor transfer Charlie Brewer during fall camp. Brewer won the job but Rising eventually replaced him and led the Utes to the Pac-12 championship and a Rose Bowl appearance. Now, Rising is the Utes' undisputed starter, having earned All-Pac-12 first team honors after completing 204 of 320 passes for 2,493 yards with five interceptions and 20 touchdowns and running 74 times for 499 yards and six TDs in 2021.

That aside, Rising is taking the same approach as he did during last year's fall camp. "It still feels like I have to go out there and prove myself each and every day. It doesn't really matter if it's my job. That just means I'll be getting more (first-team) reps. That's just the way it is," he said. "I've still got to attack it and prove that I'm the best guy for the job each and every day." That's why coach Kyle Whittingham has called Rising an "alpha dog" in the program. "He's one of the hardest workers on the football team, if not the hardest. You can talk about it but you've got to be about it," Whittingham said. "His performance is outstanding, his film study. Just everything. There's no weakness in Cam Rising right now. He's doing everything right coming off an outstanding year. We're fortunate to have him on our team." - Deseret News

(DS#28 QB) rSr/2025

QB Cameron Rising, Utah
News Source: Deseret News
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08/08/22 - Cameron Rising, rSr/2025, Utah, 6-2, 220 (DS#28 QB) + More +

Utah coach Kyle Whittingham does not do hyperbole. When Whittingham began fielding questions, iIt didn't take long for the topic to swing to Cam Rising. The specific question centered around the incumbent fifth-year quarterback's leadership style and why it inspires confidence in his teammates. "He's one of the hardest workers on the football team, if not the hardest," Whittingham said. "You can talk about it, but you have to be about it. His performance is outstanding, his film study, everything. There is no weakness in Cam Rising right now. He's doing everything right coming off an outstanding year, and we're fortunate to have him on our team." - Salt Lake Tribune

(DS#28 QB) rSr/2025

QB Cameron Rising, Utah
News Source: Salt Lake Tribune
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08/06/22 - Cameron Rising, rSr/2025, Utah, 6-2, 220 (DS#28 QB) + More +

The University of Utah opened fall camp on Wednesday afternoon, but depending on who you ask, the first practice didn't totally feel like a first practice. The Utes are projected to return 17 starters in 2022. Among them, Cam Rising was a revelation last fall at quarterback, Tavion Thomas rushed for over 1,100 yards and 21 touchdowns last season, both were named All-Pac-12 last season. Up and down the projected two-deep, there are third-year, fourth-year, even fifth-year guys at some positions. Opening camp with that amount of experience presumably means less of a learning curve for the players. "Without a doubt, and it's very evident they spent a lot of time on the field together this summer on their own because today was more like a practice 8 or practice 9 feel as far as the lack of mental mistakes and how smooth things went," 18th-year head coach Kyle Whittingham said. - Salt Lake Tribune

(DS#28 QB) rSr/2025

QB Cameron Rising, Utah
News Source: Salt Lake Tribune
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08/05/22 - Brant Kuithe, rSr/2025, Utah, 6-2, 236 (DS#2 FB) + More +

Brant Kuithe is listed as a tight end, and has been an All-Pac-12 selection at the position three times - most recently in 2021 before opting to return this fall as a senior. That said, anyone watching Kuithe the last few years knows that pigeonholing him as a tight end isn't really fair given his versatility, a notion Whittingham is on board with. "He's a hybrid, he'll be all over the place," Whittingham said. "To say he is strictly a tight end is a false statement. He's going to be in a lot of different situations, a lot of different locations for us." Kuithe is coming off 50 catches for 611 yards and six touchdowns, not all of it coming at tight end. He can line up out of the slot, he can catch the ball out of the backfield. More than a couple of times, Utah went to Kuithe on a jet sweep. Kuithe is the most dangerous, most versatile weapon Cam Rising has at his disposal this season. - Salt Lake Tribune

(DS#2 FB) rSr/2025

FB Brant Kuithe, Utah
News Source: Salt Lake Tribune
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