Camp Kyle ’16: Day 10

8/15/2016 1:30 PM | Football

Goal-line situations followed by conditioning during media observation.

Live work in goal-line situations and plenty of post-practice conditioning were featured as part of the media observation period for the University of Utah football team's morning session during its Day 10 two-a-day Monday at Rice-Eccles Stadium.

Utah was in helmets, shoulder pads and shorts for the workout with its traditional red helmets with the accompanying circle and feather logo on both sides.

The Countdown is On ...
The countdown to kickoff from Rice-Eccles Stadium against Southern Utah stands at 17 days. UtahUtes.com has each day of @Utah_Football fall camp covered. Use #CampKyle16 on all social media posts to keep track of the Utes and chime in with your thoughts throughout preseason camp.

17 days until football and the debut of the scoreboard! pic.twitter.com/vVAMJ2edot
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) August 15, 2016

UtahUtes.com is your go-to source for videos, GIFs, Facebook Live sessions, photos, quotes, social media reaction and behind-the-scenes tidbits all the way up to when the Utes face the Thunderbirds on Sept. 1 at 6 p.m. MT.

Day 10 Overview ...
• The Utah football team was in shorts, shoulder pads and helmets with a complete official crew to simulate game-like conditions.
• This was the first workout of the Utes' third double-day of preseason camp. This was also the third of five two-a-days for Utah with double practices remaining for Wed., Aug. 17 and Fri., Aug. 19.

Media Observation Highlights ...
• The Utah football team was in shorts, shoulder pads and helmets with 11-on-11 live work in goal-line situations taking place in the north end zone.
• The Ute defensive line turned in two sacks.
• Running back Marcel Manalo drove the pile and scored from the 2-yard line.
• The second scrimmage of camp will be held tomorrow.

??Event Alert??
Fan Fest is Saturday!
6-8 pm at RES.
Student-athletes from all 18 varsity teams will be there!#goutes pic.twitter.com/GlXwv9MDUz
— Utah Athletics (@utahathletics) August 15, 2016

From Coach Whittingham ...

On the themes of fall camp: "Creating great habits and practicing the right way all of the time, not being hot and cold, coming out with the same mentality, attitude and work ethic. Essentially being the same guy and team every day with no drop-offs.

"In my experience, the best teams come out and you know what you're going to get every day. We're going to be focused and concentrating. That's what we're striving for.

"I would give this current team an A- right now. We've had a couple of days that weren't quite as good as they needed to be, but for the most part, it's been really good."

On Troy Williams atop the quarterback depth chart: "He's No. 1, but it's not set in stone yet. We have a big scrimmage tomorrow, but he is the guy who has clearly been our best performer through camp. But like I said, there's still a lot of live work to be done. Tomorrow [the scrimmage] is a big one so it's not over yet."

On position groups to settle during tomorrow's scrimmage: "We are looking at wide receiver, linebacker and running backs behind Joe Williams. [Williams] is the lead guy, but we want to determine who's No. 2, 3 and 4. That remains to be determined.

"Not everyone will get reps in this scrimmage. It's the guys who are going to be figuring into our plans this fall. They'll be decent reps for the other guys at the end, but not as many and not everyone will get an opportunity.

"We will go about 75 reps in tomorrow's scrimmage."

On the competition for two offensive tackle spots between Jackson Barton, Garett Bolles and Sam Tevi: "First of all, all three are outstanding football players. [Tevi] started for us last year and [Barton] played a bunch of snaps, maybe 30-40% last year. We feel we have three tackles who we can absolutely count on to play at a high level in this conference. [Bolles] is on the left side right now and [Tevi] is on the right. [Barton] would be spelling either of them on either side. That's the combination we have right now, but [Barton] is right there with those guys. We have three who we feel are outstanding."

On redshirt freshman offensive lineman Darrin Paulo: "We think he's a good player as well. He has a bright future here, but he can play either guard or tackle. We're trying to make a decision on where he is most effective --- guard or tackle."

On receiving working to crack starting lineup: "[Raelon Singleton] when he's out here. He's still battling injuries on occasion. Caleb Repp is another guy who needs to be more consistent, as does Siaosi Wilson. He's another guy who has a lot of talent, but needs to play with consistency. "

On freshman linebacker Donovan Thompson: "He's starting to do some really good things over the last four or five practices. It started on special teams play. He did a great job there. The more he's comfortable in the scheme, the more he's improved. He's thinking less. He's a very instinctive linebacker. If you watch his high school tape, he is a very active and instinctive linebacker. That's starting to show up now that he's feeling more comfortable with his assignments."

On true freshman who have stood out during camp: "There are quite a few of them: Leki Fotu, Julian Blackmon, Terrell Burgess, Zack Moss and Tyler Huntley. [When we put together this signing class], we felt this was our best signing class ever and we still feel the same way and even more strongly now after we have seen them play and have worked with them for a couple of weeks."

On the linebacker depth chart: "Right now if we had to play tomorrow, it would be Cody Barton and Sunia Tauteoli as the starters."

On Kavika Luafatasaga: "He has [improved] in some respects, but he still has a long way to go. He's gradually getting himself up to speed."

Post-Practice Impressions from the Utah Assistant Coaches and Players ...

Quarterback Troy Williams
"I'm just coming out trying to minimize my mistakes and just keep getting better and more comfortable with the system. At the end of the day, I still have to get the job done. Nothing is secure. I have to keep going and keep progressing each and every day.

"Film study is really important, I've been taught that throughout high school to where I'm at now. Proper preparation prevents poor performance. I try to stay in the film room as much as possible and get better."

Offensive lineman Garett Bolles
"It's a blessing to be here with such an amazing team. I have wonderful teammates and coaches who continue to push me every day. It's a totally different level [compared to JUCO football]. It's a lot faster. Guys are just as big as you, but the thing I've learned is to just take it one day at a time, stay positive and learn from the best.

"I get to go against the best defense in the country every day, in my opinion. I get Kylie Fitts every day. I get Pita [Taumoepenu], Hunter Dimick and all of those guys. They've all been dominant players. I just watch my film, learn from my mistakes and come back every single day ready to roll. As I work with them, I just get better and better."

#UtesCamp BTS ...
• A scout from the Pittsburgh Steelers was in attendance.