Host of Locked on Utes Podcast JT Wistrcill joins Brice and Bianucci to talk Utah Football Fall Camp, Utah's new offensive scheme under Jason Beck, the importance of the run game this year for Utah, Issac Wilson's development at the University of Utah, and more!
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
House to the Bounce House, from Lovell Edwards Stadium to
Rice ecl Stadium. It's time to talk Cottage football with
Bligson via newg in the Morning on one O three
nine ninety eight three the Band, part of Utah's ESPN
Radio Network.
Speaker 2 (00:20):
Ninety on the Dot. It is time to talk some
college football camp Kyle underway, We're gonna head up to
the hill to talk a little bit about the Utes
and what we can expect from the University of Utah
this upcoming season. I'm Bryce Larson longside, Zach Robinson. We're
going to be moving right along this morning. Jordan b
and Ucci's outfit will join us back in action next week.
(00:43):
So it gets back from a strip from Lake Tahoe.
It's chilling out on the beach up there. So let's
jump out to the ESPN the Fan Hotline and we'll
we'll welcome in our first guest of the morning. It
is our friend from Lockdown Utes who joins us all
the time right here on this program. J T. Wister
Silk is right here with us.
Speaker 1 (01:00):
JT.
Speaker 2 (01:01):
Good to hear from you, my friend.
Speaker 1 (01:03):
It's going to be with you guys as always, and
crazy to think we are just twenty five days away
from Week one of college football. Can't wait to get
the season underway.
Speaker 2 (01:13):
We're getting after it, especially with UCLA in that night
game coming up on the schedule for Utah. Let's start here.
JT Fall camp is underway. We heard from the coaches.
We heard from Kyle Whittingham. What are the top headlines,
the biggest takeaways you've seen so far in the first
(01:34):
week of Utah fallcamp to this point.
Speaker 1 (01:37):
I thought it was really encouraging to hear Devin Dampier,
Utah starting quarterback, talk about how good Tobias Mariweather already looks.
For those unfamiliar Tobias Mayorweather is a transfer receiver that
Utah got in the spring portal from cal before that
was a high recruit at Notre Dame. So far in
his college career, he has not been able to put
it all together. Whether that due mostly injuries, but I
(01:57):
will also say there were some inconsistency that Notre Dame
and then injuries derailing his year last year with the
Golden Bears. But he's back, he's healthy, and he's getting
up to speed quickly. It was really encouraging to hear
how much Devin dan Pier is a fan of him.
We're talking about a six y five, two hundred pound receiver,
so it has all the makings to be a number
one receiver for P fourteen and like a really good
(02:20):
number on receieve and I'll just talk about the typical
like Utah number one receiver. But this is a U
Talk team that really needs guys to emerge on the outside.
Calf catcher and probably defensive line are the biggest questions
this team has right now, and the fact that Merriweather
was turning a lot of heads is a really encouraging sign.
Devin Dampier as well as Utah's wide receiver coach Mike A.
Simon's both talked about too how locked in Merriweather has been.
(02:41):
You can include Larry Simmons and this as well to
the Southern mistransfer who a lot of people at Big
twelve media days, there wasn't buzz around him, a lot
of people are mentioning his name. Were locked in all summer.
Those were guys who were consistently obviously at every lift,
but they were going to every throwing session as well too.
Mike Simon's talked about I saw those guys getting next
to working on the field before fall came even got
underway the other night. So I think it's really encouraging
(03:03):
that Tobias Merriweather has a chance to hit the ground running.
Utah has had some misses with some transfer receivers in
the past, but some of the early sides of encouragement
amount around Meriwether, I think are very encouraging in a
group that being Utah's wide receiver and just pass catching corps.
As a full that lacks proven kammodities, Meriweather could end
up being the top guy there.
Speaker 3 (03:25):
Yeah, JT a lot of change on the offense, obviously,
Jason Beck coming in, whole new offensive coaching staff, a
whole new system for that offense. We heard from Winningham
that it's going to be a no huddle, but a
slower tempo, not a normal tempo of no huddle offense.
What are your thoughts about that and how successful do
you think this will be for Utah this year?
Speaker 1 (03:46):
I like that idea just when I hear it, because
what is Utah's strength their offensive line. I want to
be careful with how up tempo I go to not
tire up the big guys because those guys are the
best part of this team. I don't want to tire
hillblown Spencer final. Those guys are in great shape. But
if you're just going nastall packages, basically we were just
like every single play like this, getting up there as
(04:07):
quick as you can risk wearing those guys out. So
I like that Utah wants to keep defenses on their heels,
but not go too fast. I mean, I love one
thing we've seen him for a while over college football.
The teams will get to the ball, get on the
ball quickly, and the quarterback will do his clap, but
they won't snap the ball so that they can give
the defense. The defense will show their hands and then
the offense then can get the signals and the play
call in and then provide a counter and just something
(04:30):
that's going to lead to an optimal game. This is
this offense in Jason becks Hamps. I feel like it's
in very good hands. I mean, we're talking about an
offense that fourth best in the country in the yards
per game basis. Devin dan Pierre had a miraculous season
last year too, so I do think this Utah offense
is headed in the right direction. I know Dan Pierce
ended up his touchdown. The interception ratio is twelve to twelve,
but he also did rush for nineteen touchdowns, so he
(04:52):
had nearly twenty more touchdowns than he still did interceptions.
So a dynamic QB back there. And I just feel
like this offense is heading in the right But I
do like the idea of going getting on the ball quickly,
no huddle. But you don't want to wear out the
strength of your team, which is going to be this
run game. Instead, you want to wear the opposition down.
And I do feel like Utah, with all five starters
returning up front, is in a really strong position to
(05:14):
do that.
Speaker 2 (05:16):
One thing I loved about Day one of fall camp
was was Shaun Parker saying that he wants to run
for over a thousand yards this year. And look at
Jason Beck's offense in the past and a season ago,
they averaged about thirty eight rushing attempts per season. And
if you take a look at or excuse me, per game,
if you take a look at some of the like
(05:36):
JJ McCarthy's Michigan Wolverines a couple of years ago when
they won the national championship, we always think of them
as a run heavy team, play corum in the backfield.
There he got a lot of touches. Its close to
forty attempts per game that they ran the football. What
do you think the split is going to be? How
often do you think they're going to run the football
(05:56):
in Jason Beck's offense? And do you think Wyshawn Parker
is going to get a lot more touches than maybe
pass attempts?
Speaker 1 (06:02):
For what Devin Dampier, I think it'll be close. I
won't say that at the end because what I just
mentioned with Devin dan Pier, I mean he wrote Devin
dan Pier rush for one thousand yard last year he
loved Devin Dampiers led the country in yards per kerry
according to Pro Football Focus. He and John Mattier, the
new Oklahoma quarterback. They led the country and forced miss tackles.
So you don't want to take the ball on at
dan Pier's hands too much. But when I say that,
(06:25):
I'm not just saying because oh, you want him to
fill constantly. No, you want to have a quarterback designed
run game. Also, I think the re option game could
be massive for this Utah team. When you look at
both what Dan Pier can do the quarterback. Run game
was big for him last year, but I do think
I think Utaw a lot of two thousand yard rushers
this season. I think the ratio run to pass, I
think it'll be sixty forty. I could definitely see it
being more fifty five forty five, but I would be
(06:47):
very surprised if it was fifty to fifty from pass
to run because, yes, like I mentioned, I think Devin
Dampier is a good passer, but he did still throw
those twelve fixed last year, and I think he has
improven getting better. It's only a true sophomore last year,
so junior year now. I don't think he's gonna throw
a twelve picks this year, but it could very well
happen as he's playing better defenses throughout the season, while
(07:07):
granted having a better supporting cast as well. I might add,
but yeah, I just think you're gonna want the ball
in Devin dan Pierre's hands a lot. But at the
same time, the strength of your team is that offensive
line in the run game, So I do think you
are going to see this team really just try to
pound it down the opposition's throw it. I mean, when
you have guys like Spencer fonnal kleeb Lomu. Even though
I have some questions about the interior offensive line, you
(07:28):
got guys like Jared kump to know what tong guy
and Michael MULCAPIZI. They've all played a lot of football.
Still clearly the best offensive line in the Big twelve
and I think clearly a top ten offensive line in
the country. And Pow Whittingham, we know one thing that
drives him absolutely nuts are turnovers. What's the best way
to not turn the ball over is just consistently run
the ball. Also, some of the best defense could be
a great offense long methodical drives because you were just
(07:50):
consistently gashing teams over and over again for those three
to five yard chunks on the ground. And when Sean
Parker's is the guy, it's a true freshman last year
at Washington State rush for over seven hundred yards almost
as a true freshman. I only think he's going to
get even better in his sophomore year. I love his mindset.
I do think he's clearly RB one for this team.
Kyle Whittingham even said he thinks that way Shaw has
a chance to do it too. I think Utah will
(08:12):
lean on Weshan a lot and Nakuhi Rodgers is the back.
Was the number two back at New Mexico last year,
so I think that he is going to end up
being that number two back again. But I think Wayshawan
Perker is going to get a lot of carries. I
just think Utah's run defense is going to be very
difficult to stop. There are some good defenses in the
Big Twelve, but honestly, I look at this conference and
I say the strength is the quarterbacks of it. I
(08:32):
don't think the run defenses are to the caliber. Maybe
an SEC I would say has a better run defense
caliber from top to bottom. So I do feel like
Utah is gonna have a lot of success running the
ball this season, and I think it's just going to
be a devastating run game that helps Utah bouts back
in the Big Twelve, something I feel like they're really
set up to do. I think I think they will
be a top four team in this conference. I think
they have a great chance to reach the Conference Tidle
(08:53):
game two.
Speaker 3 (08:55):
I want to ask you about Isaac Wilson. No, coming
off the year he had last year, hurt everything like
that he's got a similar I see a similar play
style in him as Devin Dampierre and being in Jason
Bek's offensive scheme. Is it going to benefit Isaac by
sitting behind Devin and just learning how this offense works
and how he plays and how he can adjust to
(09:16):
that style.
Speaker 1 (09:18):
Honestly, I think it just benefits Isaac to sit because
he should have taken the red shirt last year, so
I think this year can kind of act as a
red shirt sit back, continue to kind of take and
learn everything. Sometimes it helps to play as a freshman.
I think back to Spencer Fonne, who is not an
amazing left tackle his freshman year, but that experience helped
him blossom into a really strong right tackle. But when
you're not ready and you're thrust onto the field in
(09:39):
your freshman year, it can really just damper your development.
And I think that's what we saw with Isaac Wilson
last year. So I do think it will really help
him to be able to sit back. He's not the
same athlete that Devin Dampier is at the quarterback position,
but I do believe he is still as a very
high upside as a thrower. I'm very intrigued, but he's
going to be the backup quarterback. There's a lot of
people that really like Bird Fickland, the true rush whan.
(10:00):
He was an early en role in the spring. So
him and Isaac Wilson we're getting the majority of the
reps back and forth. I'm very curious to see who
wins that job. I also still won't rule out Nate Johnson.
Utah very interestingly updated their roster Nate Johnson listed as
an athlete. Most guys come to Utah and recruiting wise
it will say athlete, then you have the pickup position.
I think it's very interesting that Nate Johnson has listed
as an athlete. I still expect to see some of
(10:22):
Nate Johnson as QB. Just can't forget how dynamic he
is as an athlete too. But yeah, I'm very curious
too it we see if Isaac. I hope it's not
a ton unless the game is out of reach, because
as we've talked about a little bit now, right, Devin
Dampier I think has a chance to be a transcendent quarterback.
I think he has the ceiling to be a top
I think he could be a top ten quarterback in
the country. There are already people that haven't listed there,
and when you look at that skill set, you want
(10:43):
him on the field as much as possible. I think
he's clearly QB one for this team, and then Wilson
is battling for the backup spot. I think it would
benefit him to take this year as a red shirt,
be able to rest and develop. But I do think
that what Jason Beck has just brought to Utah's offense
as a whole. It was clear to even talking to
players at the Big twelve media day. It's been a
very welcome injection of just the energy the creativity that
(11:04):
he's brought. I feel like everyone on the offensive side
will benefit from that Wilson being among them. And I
know he had that great throw in fall camp the
other day and as everyone buzzhi, but I think it
is best for him to sit back this year and
learn and then hopefully someday in the future he can
be a guy for the Utah youths. But with how
last season went, I feel like it is best for
Wilson to sit back.
Speaker 2 (11:23):
That throw and catch was insane from Isaac Wilson.
Speaker 1 (11:27):
I think Larry Simmons, the guy who thought it is
going to end up having the bigger season of those
guys too. But it was an incredible throw from Wilson
left we were a year removed from him being a
four star. It's not like Isaac Wilson doesn't know how
to play quarterback, right, It was just he wasn't ready.
It was not a great offensive fit. So I still
I'm not ready to funt on Isaac Wilson, but I
just don't know if this is the year I think
it'd be good for him to rest. J. T.
Speaker 2 (11:50):
Wister still is here with us, the host of Lockdown
utes on Bryson Biannucci on one of three nine to
ninety eight three ESPN the Fan JT. One thing that
Jordan and I and Zach and I have discussed in
this offseason leading up to the YAR, I'm taking a
look at the numbers from last year BYU in Utah
had the top two defenses in the entire Big Twelve.
(12:10):
Really incredible in terms of points per game, touchdowns allowed,
all the stats across the board BYU and Utah were
on top the top two teams, But on the offensive
side is a little bit different of a story. The
interesting thing to me is that Utah came in around
fourteenth or so in a lot of different categories, mostly
points scored per game and overall points in the Big
(12:31):
Twelve conference, Well BYU. You would have thought they were
a little bit higher, but they were actually outside of
the top five. They came in at number six with
thirty one point two points per game. Just scoring four
hundred and five points on the season. Utah averaged about
twenty three point six points per game throughout the season.
My question to you is, with such a great defense
(12:53):
and BYU having an eleven win season last year and
being outside of the top five in offensive offense of ability,
where does Utah need to find themselves in terms of
in the Big Twelve and for them to have a
double digit win season. Do they need to be inside
the top five of offense or do you think they
(13:13):
can get somewhere between six and ten and still have
a double digit win season.
Speaker 1 (13:19):
Double digit win season, They're probably gonna have to be
in the top five in order to do that because
of the offenses in this conference. Baylor could have one
of the best offenses in the country. I mean, the
quarterbacks in the Big Twelve this year, it's another really
strong year, Sam levit at, ASU, Right Tech, Baylor, Kansas,
Kansas State. I would stay all with returning quarterbacks that
have a chance to had really monster seasons, and a
(13:40):
lot of those teams Utah we'll see as well too.
So that's why I'm interested to see if both the
BYU and a Utah and REPEA is one and two
in the conference. I think that's not likely. Think both
will be a top five defense. But I see both
those units taking a step back in part because of
what they each lost and also in part of the
teams they'll be playing. But I do think if Utah
wants to get to ten wins, I think you have
to be the top five. Because I also just mentioned
(14:01):
I do think that defense he had teams to twenty
points per game last year, he lost nine key contributors.
I don't see how Utah matches that. I think that
defense takes a slight step back, but thankfully for the offense,
I think they make a massive lead forward. I think
this is an offense that is in that twenty twenty
eight to thirty points per game range, and I lean
more towards that thirty plus points per game range. When
this Utah team has had their starting quarterback available, and
(14:23):
yes it was a different offensive coordinator, Andy Ludwick, but
the results have been devastating for the opposition. And I
think that's what Utah will get back to this season
with Devin Dampier, with way Sean Parker, with that offensive line,
with receivers that you need to do just enough because
teams will have to pack the bots to stop this
Utah run game. And I do think Jason Beck is
(14:44):
ready to lead this Utah offense into the most explosive
era that it has seen in a very long time.
When you look at the success he had at New Mexico,
when you look at a dynamic player like Devin Dampier,
who has a chance to be one of the most
entertaining players in college football. He sacked five only five
times last year, and he played three basically P four
(15:04):
teams who were including Washington State, with Arizona and Auburn.
There are quarterbacks when they're a group of five and
they play P four teams, they get sacked five times
in one game. That's how dynamic and elusive Devin damp
Pier is. And now he's playing behind an even better
offensive line. I think he is going to be able
to stay up a lot, and I think his Ucha
offense is going to be moving the chains a lot.
I have high expectations for this Utah offense. I do
(15:25):
think there'll be a top I think Utah's offense and
defense will be in the top five of the Big
Twelve this year. A big part of that being the
coaching too, when you look at what Morgan Scalley can
do on that side of the ball, even if you
ask some questions about who's going to steve alone the
offensive line, but with the offenses that are in the
Big Twelve, it will be tough for Utah to have
a top five offense, but I believe they will because
(15:46):
of that offensive line, because of the coordinator, some of
those star players we just mentioned too. I think things
are trending up for Ujah, and you're seeing that in
the national media as well. At Utah is starting to
earn some love about Hey, no one's talking about Utah
and people are starting to come around on this team.
The Big Twelve is wild every single season, and I
think Utah could be one of those teams that surprises
people from who are doing their Big Twelve predictions and
(16:08):
are expecting the same teams the top last year to
be there again, because if history is for showing us
anything in the Big Twelve, it's as completely unpredictable.
Speaker 2 (16:15):
All right, last thing for you, and we'll get you
out of here on this one. Let's take a look
at the Big Twelve as a whole. Do you believe
the Big Twelve is going to have one or two
teams that are going to be by far and away
the best two teams in the conference, maybe one or
two losses, or do you think it's going to be
a three loss champion. By the end of this upcoming season,
we're gonna have nine teams all vuying for the top spot.
Speaker 1 (16:38):
I think it's a really good question. I think that
it's going to be very similar to last year. I
think we will have I think, unfortunately the Big Twelve
only gets one in because I do think this conference
is going to beat up on itself. I would love
it if two teams could survive the gauntlet of the
schedule and you get to eleven to one teams in
the title title game basically, and then you can hopefully
(16:59):
get both than that. But I think it's much more
likely that a team suffers multiple losses. I mean, let's
just take Utah's schedule right, in order for Utah to
set themselves up to if they didn't win the conference
getting the playoff, they'd have to go eleven and one,
and Utah has to go to UCLA to start the season, right,
But who else do you get? You get Texas Tech,
you get ASU, you get Baylor, and you end the
season with Baylor, Kansas Kansas State. Like that's that's a
(17:21):
gauntlet just down the stretch there too. That's not mentioning
going directly to your rival BYU, which I think BYU
does take a step back this season, but that's till
they're a really good team and a top ten team
in this conference, and it's this rivalry is always an
incredibly close game too, So to me, it's going to
be very hard for any of these teams. There's just
not many that get a break in their schedule where
I'm like, oh, you miss these contenders, because there are
(17:44):
legitimately six to eight teams I really like in this
conference that I think have a chance to win it,
maybe even ten teams that could win it this upcoming season.
And we all know last year, no on would said
that about area those dates they and they wound up
winning it too, so that shows you the potential and
chances for upsets too. But yeah, I think right now
the Big Twelve only gets one in. I think it'll
(18:04):
be a very similar thing with there are multiple tie
breakers and scenarios that we're gonna have four to maybe
even six teams. I'll leave for our six would be
a lot, but four teams going into the final week
of the regular season with a chance to make the
Big Twelve title game. I think we're gonna have a
lot of multi loss teams, and unfortunately, I do think
the Big Twelve only gets one in because of just
how competitive this league is. But I'd love to see
(18:25):
two teams get in. It's just gonna be hard to
have an eleven and one team in a conference like this,
and hopefully those teams can live up to their end
of the bargain, because the strength of schedule maybe would
allow a two loss non conference champion Big Twelve team
to get into the College Football playoffs, but we know
that's really difficult to do with the SEC and the
Big Ten usually getting a lot of those spots. But
(18:46):
this conference is wide open. It's gonna be an incredible
year and I can't wait to see how it's all
gonna play out. And we'll see if you talk and
be one of those teams that's in it at the
end of the year in the Big twelve title Game discussion.
Speaker 2 (18:57):
Just twenty five days, eight hours, twenty minutes and now
twenty two seconds away from kickoff for Utah and UCLA.
Speaker 1 (19:06):
JT.
Speaker 2 (19:06):
Before we let you go, let everybody know where they
can find all of your work and follow you.
Speaker 1 (19:10):
On X yep, you guys can head over to my
ex account which is locked on utes on my personal
one at J two whitsch or so locked on. He's
coming at you Monday through Friday, starting to do double
episodes a day, just trying to get everyone ready for
the season. Lots of talk about, lots of discuss and
always great coming on with you guys as well. Thank
you very much, Bryce.
Speaker 2 (19:30):
Man, we're in the two a days unlocked on utes.
I love it.
Speaker 1 (19:33):
JT.
Speaker 2 (19:33):
Take care of my friend.
Speaker 1 (19:35):
Thank you here as well.
Speaker 2 (19:37):
That is JT wisters to make sure you go and
give him some love over on the lockdown Utes platform
and give him a follow here. This morning always does
a great job covering the Utes and fantastic insight. That
dude is an encyclopedia when it comes to numbers and
knowledge of Utah football and Utah athletics as a whole,
and does a great job at covering the University of Utah.
(19:59):
Great off coming out of Camp Kyle. Always brought to
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(20:22):
It's the thirty one Days of Football presented by Baskin
Robbins on your home for football here in the State
of Utah, ESPN The Fan. We'll take a break, we'll
wrap it up on the flip side. Your top headlines
and more coming your way. That's next on Bryson Bianucci one, O, three,
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House to the Bounce House, from Lovell Edwards Stadium to
Rice ecl Stadium. It's time to talk Cottage football with
Bligson via newg in the Morning on one O three
nine ninety eight three the Band, part of Utah's ESPN
Radio Network.
Speaker 2 (00:20):
Ninety on the Dot. It is time to talk some
college football camp Kyle underway, We're gonna head up to
the hill to talk a little bit about the Utes
and what we can expect from the University of Utah
this upcoming season. I'm Bryce Larson longside, Zach Robinson. We're
going to be moving right along this morning. Jordan b
and Ucci's outfit will join us back in action next week.
(00:43):
So it gets back from a strip from Lake Tahoe.
It's chilling out on the beach up there. So let's
jump out to the ESPN the Fan Hotline and we'll
we'll welcome in our first guest of the morning. It
is our friend from Lockdown Utes who joins us all
the time right here on this program. J T. Wister
Silk is right here with us.
Speaker 1 (01:00):
JT.
Speaker 2 (01:01):
Good to hear from you, my friend.
Speaker 1 (01:03):
It's going to be with you guys as always, and
crazy to think we are just twenty five days away
from Week one of college football. Can't wait to get
the season underway.
Speaker 2 (01:13):
We're getting after it, especially with UCLA in that night
game coming up on the schedule for Utah. Let's start here.
JT Fall camp is underway. We heard from the coaches.
We heard from Kyle Whittingham. What are the top headlines,
the biggest takeaways you've seen so far in the first
(01:34):
week of Utah fallcamp to this point.
Speaker 1 (01:37):
I thought it was really encouraging to hear Devin Dampier,
Utah starting quarterback, talk about how good Tobias Mariweather already looks.
For those unfamiliar Tobias Mayorweather is a transfer receiver that
Utah got in the spring portal from cal before that
was a high recruit at Notre Dame. So far in
his college career, he has not been able to put
it all together. Whether that due mostly injuries, but I
(01:57):
will also say there were some inconsistency that Notre Dame
and then injuries derailing his year last year with the
Golden Bears. But he's back, he's healthy, and he's getting
up to speed quickly. It was really encouraging to hear
how much Devin dan Pier is a fan of him.
We're talking about a six y five, two hundred pound receiver,
so it has all the makings to be a number
one receiver for P fourteen and like a really good
(02:20):
number on receieve and I'll just talk about the typical
like Utah number one receiver. But this is a U
Talk team that really needs guys to emerge on the outside.
Calf catcher and probably defensive line are the biggest questions
this team has right now, and the fact that Merriweather
was turning a lot of heads is a really encouraging sign.
Devin Dampier as well as Utah's wide receiver coach Mike A.
Simon's both talked about too how locked in Merriweather has been.
(02:41):
You can include Larry Simmons and this as well to
the Southern mistransfer who a lot of people at Big
twelve media days, there wasn't buzz around him, a lot
of people are mentioning his name. Were locked in all summer.
Those were guys who were consistently obviously at every lift,
but they were going to every throwing session as well too.
Mike Simon's talked about I saw those guys getting next
to working on the field before fall came even got
underway the other night. So I think it's really encouraging
(03:03):
that Tobias Merriweather has a chance to hit the ground running.
Utah has had some misses with some transfer receivers in
the past, but some of the early sides of encouragement
amount around Meriwether, I think are very encouraging in a
group that being Utah's wide receiver and just pass catching corps.
As a full that lacks proven kammodities, Meriweather could end
up being the top guy there.
Speaker 3 (03:25):
Yeah, JT a lot of change on the offense, obviously,
Jason Beck coming in, whole new offensive coaching staff, a
whole new system for that offense. We heard from Winningham
that it's going to be a no huddle, but a
slower tempo, not a normal tempo of no huddle offense.
What are your thoughts about that and how successful do
you think this will be for Utah this year?
Speaker 1 (03:46):
I like that idea just when I hear it, because
what is Utah's strength their offensive line. I want to
be careful with how up tempo I go to not
tire up the big guys because those guys are the
best part of this team. I don't want to tire
hillblown Spencer final. Those guys are in great shape. But
if you're just going nastall packages, basically we were just
like every single play like this, getting up there as
(04:07):
quick as you can risk wearing those guys out. So
I like that Utah wants to keep defenses on their heels,
but not go too fast. I mean, I love one
thing we've seen him for a while over college football.
The teams will get to the ball, get on the
ball quickly, and the quarterback will do his clap, but
they won't snap the ball so that they can give
the defense. The defense will show their hands and then
the offense then can get the signals and the play
call in and then provide a counter and just something
(04:30):
that's going to lead to an optimal game. This is
this offense in Jason becks Hamps. I feel like it's
in very good hands. I mean, we're talking about an
offense that fourth best in the country in the yards
per game basis. Devin dan Pierre had a miraculous season
last year too, so I do think this Utah offense
is headed in the right direction. I know Dan Pierce
ended up his touchdown. The interception ratio is twelve to twelve,
but he also did rush for nineteen touchdowns, so he
(04:52):
had nearly twenty more touchdowns than he still did interceptions.
So a dynamic QB back there. And I just feel
like this offense is heading in the right But I
do like the idea of going getting on the ball quickly,
no huddle. But you don't want to wear out the
strength of your team, which is going to be this
run game. Instead, you want to wear the opposition down.
And I do feel like Utah, with all five starters
returning up front, is in a really strong position to
(05:14):
do that.
Speaker 2 (05:16):
One thing I loved about Day one of fall camp
was was Shaun Parker saying that he wants to run
for over a thousand yards this year. And look at
Jason Beck's offense in the past and a season ago,
they averaged about thirty eight rushing attempts per season. And
if you take a look at or excuse me, per game,
if you take a look at some of the like
(05:36):
JJ McCarthy's Michigan Wolverines a couple of years ago when
they won the national championship, we always think of them
as a run heavy team, play corum in the backfield.
There he got a lot of touches. Its close to
forty attempts per game that they ran the football. What
do you think the split is going to be? How
often do you think they're going to run the football
(05:56):
in Jason Beck's offense? And do you think Wyshawn Parker
is going to get a lot more touches than maybe
pass attempts?
Speaker 1 (06:02):
For what Devin Dampier, I think it'll be close. I
won't say that at the end because what I just
mentioned with Devin dan Pier, I mean he wrote Devin
dan Pier rush for one thousand yard last year he
loved Devin Dampiers led the country in yards per kerry
according to Pro Football Focus. He and John Mattier, the
new Oklahoma quarterback. They led the country and forced miss tackles.
So you don't want to take the ball on at
dan Pier's hands too much. But when I say that,
(06:25):
I'm not just saying because oh, you want him to
fill constantly. No, you want to have a quarterback designed
run game. Also, I think the re option game could
be massive for this Utah team. When you look at
both what Dan Pier can do the quarterback. Run game
was big for him last year, but I do think
I think Utaw a lot of two thousand yard rushers
this season. I think the ratio run to pass, I
think it'll be sixty forty. I could definitely see it
being more fifty five forty five, but I would be
(06:47):
very surprised if it was fifty to fifty from pass
to run because, yes, like I mentioned, I think Devin
Dampier is a good passer, but he did still throw
those twelve fixed last year, and I think he has
improven getting better. It's only a true sophomore last year,
so junior year now. I don't think he's gonna throw
a twelve picks this year, but it could very well
happen as he's playing better defenses throughout the season, while
(07:07):
granted having a better supporting cast as well. I might add,
but yeah, I just think you're gonna want the ball
in Devin dan Pierre's hands a lot. But at the
same time, the strength of your team is that offensive
line in the run game, So I do think you
are going to see this team really just try to
pound it down the opposition's throw it. I mean, when
you have guys like Spencer fonnal kleeb Lomu. Even though
I have some questions about the interior offensive line, you
(07:28):
got guys like Jared kump to know what tong guy
and Michael MULCAPIZI. They've all played a lot of football.
Still clearly the best offensive line in the Big twelve
and I think clearly a top ten offensive line in
the country. And Pow Whittingham, we know one thing that
drives him absolutely nuts are turnovers. What's the best way
to not turn the ball over is just consistently run
the ball. Also, some of the best defense could be
a great offense long methodical drives because you were just
(07:50):
consistently gashing teams over and over again for those three
to five yard chunks on the ground. And when Sean
Parker's is the guy, it's a true freshman last year
at Washington State rush for over seven hundred yards almost
as a true freshman. I only think he's going to
get even better in his sophomore year. I love his mindset.
I do think he's clearly RB one for this team.
Kyle Whittingham even said he thinks that way Shaw has
a chance to do it too. I think Utah will
(08:12):
lean on Weshan a lot and Nakuhi Rodgers is the back.
Was the number two back at New Mexico last year,
so I think that he is going to end up
being that number two back again. But I think Wayshawan
Perker is going to get a lot of carries. I
just think Utah's run defense is going to be very
difficult to stop. There are some good defenses in the
Big Twelve, but honestly, I look at this conference and
I say the strength is the quarterbacks of it. I
(08:32):
don't think the run defenses are to the caliber. Maybe
an SEC I would say has a better run defense
caliber from top to bottom. So I do feel like
Utah is gonna have a lot of success running the
ball this season, and I think it's just going to
be a devastating run game that helps Utah bouts back
in the Big Twelve, something I feel like they're really
set up to do. I think I think they will
be a top four team in this conference. I think
they have a great chance to reach the Conference Tidle
(08:53):
game two.
Speaker 3 (08:55):
I want to ask you about Isaac Wilson. No, coming
off the year he had last year, hurt everything like
that he's got a similar I see a similar play
style in him as Devin Dampierre and being in Jason
Bek's offensive scheme. Is it going to benefit Isaac by
sitting behind Devin and just learning how this offense works
and how he plays and how he can adjust to
(09:16):
that style.
Speaker 1 (09:18):
Honestly, I think it just benefits Isaac to sit because
he should have taken the red shirt last year, so
I think this year can kind of act as a
red shirt sit back, continue to kind of take and
learn everything. Sometimes it helps to play as a freshman.
I think back to Spencer Fonne, who is not an
amazing left tackle his freshman year, but that experience helped
him blossom into a really strong right tackle. But when
you're not ready and you're thrust onto the field in
(09:39):
your freshman year, it can really just damper your development.
And I think that's what we saw with Isaac Wilson
last year. So I do think it will really help
him to be able to sit back. He's not the
same athlete that Devin Dampier is at the quarterback position,
but I do believe he is still as a very
high upside as a thrower. I'm very intrigued, but he's
going to be the backup quarterback. There's a lot of
people that really like Bird Fickland, the true rush whan.
(10:00):
He was an early en role in the spring. So
him and Isaac Wilson we're getting the majority of the
reps back and forth. I'm very curious to see who
wins that job. I also still won't rule out Nate Johnson.
Utah very interestingly updated their roster Nate Johnson listed as
an athlete. Most guys come to Utah and recruiting wise
it will say athlete, then you have the pickup position.
I think it's very interesting that Nate Johnson has listed
as an athlete. I still expect to see some of
(10:22):
Nate Johnson as QB. Just can't forget how dynamic he
is as an athlete too. But yeah, I'm very curious
too it we see if Isaac. I hope it's not
a ton unless the game is out of reach, because
as we've talked about a little bit now, right, Devin
Dampier I think has a chance to be a transcendent quarterback.
I think he has the ceiling to be a top
I think he could be a top ten quarterback in
the country. There are already people that haven't listed there,
and when you look at that skill set, you want
(10:43):
him on the field as much as possible. I think
he's clearly QB one for this team, and then Wilson
is battling for the backup spot. I think it would
benefit him to take this year as a red shirt,
be able to rest and develop. But I do think
that what Jason Beck has just brought to Utah's offense
as a whole. It was clear to even talking to
players at the Big twelve media day. It's been a
very welcome injection of just the energy the creativity that
(11:04):
he's brought. I feel like everyone on the offensive side
will benefit from that Wilson being among them. And I
know he had that great throw in fall camp the
other day and as everyone buzzhi, but I think it
is best for him to sit back this year and
learn and then hopefully someday in the future he can
be a guy for the Utah youths. But with how
last season went, I feel like it is best for
Wilson to sit back.
Speaker 2 (11:23):
That throw and catch was insane from Isaac Wilson.
Speaker 1 (11:27):
I think Larry Simmons, the guy who thought it is
going to end up having the bigger season of those
guys too. But it was an incredible throw from Wilson
left we were a year removed from him being a
four star. It's not like Isaac Wilson doesn't know how
to play quarterback, right, It was just he wasn't ready.
It was not a great offensive fit. So I still
I'm not ready to funt on Isaac Wilson, but I
just don't know if this is the year I think
it'd be good for him to rest. J. T.
Speaker 2 (11:50):
Wister still is here with us, the host of Lockdown
utes on Bryson Biannucci on one of three nine to
ninety eight three ESPN the Fan JT. One thing that
Jordan and I and Zach and I have discussed in
this offseason leading up to the YAR, I'm taking a
look at the numbers from last year BYU in Utah
had the top two defenses in the entire Big Twelve.
(12:10):
Really incredible in terms of points per game, touchdowns allowed,
all the stats across the board BYU and Utah were
on top the top two teams, But on the offensive
side is a little bit different of a story. The
interesting thing to me is that Utah came in around
fourteenth or so in a lot of different categories, mostly
points scored per game and overall points in the Big
(12:31):
Twelve conference, Well BYU. You would have thought they were
a little bit higher, but they were actually outside of
the top five. They came in at number six with
thirty one point two points per game. Just scoring four
hundred and five points on the season. Utah averaged about
twenty three point six points per game throughout the season.
My question to you is, with such a great defense
(12:53):
and BYU having an eleven win season last year and
being outside of the top five in offensive offense of ability,
where does Utah need to find themselves in terms of
in the Big Twelve and for them to have a
double digit win season. Do they need to be inside
the top five of offense or do you think they
(13:13):
can get somewhere between six and ten and still have
a double digit win season.
Speaker 1 (13:19):
Double digit win season, They're probably gonna have to be
in the top five in order to do that because
of the offenses in this conference. Baylor could have one
of the best offenses in the country. I mean, the
quarterbacks in the Big Twelve this year, it's another really
strong year, Sam levit at, ASU, Right Tech, Baylor, Kansas,
Kansas State. I would stay all with returning quarterbacks that
have a chance to had really monster seasons, and a
(13:40):
lot of those teams Utah we'll see as well too.
So that's why I'm interested to see if both the
BYU and a Utah and REPEA is one and two
in the conference. I think that's not likely. Think both
will be a top five defense. But I see both
those units taking a step back in part because of
what they each lost and also in part of the
teams they'll be playing. But I do think if Utah
wants to get to ten wins, I think you have
to be the top five. Because I also just mentioned
(14:01):
I do think that defense he had teams to twenty
points per game last year, he lost nine key contributors.
I don't see how Utah matches that. I think that
defense takes a slight step back, but thankfully for the offense,
I think they make a massive lead forward. I think
this is an offense that is in that twenty twenty
eight to thirty points per game range, and I lean
more towards that thirty plus points per game range. When
this Utah team has had their starting quarterback available, and
(14:23):
yes it was a different offensive coordinator, Andy Ludwick, but
the results have been devastating for the opposition. And I
think that's what Utah will get back to this season
with Devin Dampier, with way Sean Parker, with that offensive line,
with receivers that you need to do just enough because
teams will have to pack the bots to stop this
Utah run game. And I do think Jason Beck is
(14:44):
ready to lead this Utah offense into the most explosive
era that it has seen in a very long time.
When you look at the success he had at New Mexico,
when you look at a dynamic player like Devin Dampier,
who has a chance to be one of the most
entertaining players in college football. He sacked five only five
times last year, and he played three basically P four
(15:04):
teams who were including Washington State, with Arizona and Auburn.
There are quarterbacks when they're a group of five and
they play P four teams, they get sacked five times
in one game. That's how dynamic and elusive Devin damp
Pier is. And now he's playing behind an even better
offensive line. I think he is going to be able
to stay up a lot, and I think his Ucha
offense is going to be moving the chains a lot.
I have high expectations for this Utah offense. I do
(15:25):
think there'll be a top I think Utah's offense and
defense will be in the top five of the Big
Twelve this year. A big part of that being the
coaching too, when you look at what Morgan Scalley can
do on that side of the ball, even if you
ask some questions about who's going to steve alone the
offensive line, but with the offenses that are in the
Big Twelve, it will be tough for Utah to have
a top five offense, but I believe they will because
(15:46):
of that offensive line, because of the coordinator, some of
those star players we just mentioned too. I think things
are trending up for Ujah, and you're seeing that in
the national media as well. At Utah is starting to
earn some love about Hey, no one's talking about Utah
and people are starting to come around on this team.
The Big Twelve is wild every single season, and I
think Utah could be one of those teams that surprises
people from who are doing their Big Twelve predictions and
(16:08):
are expecting the same teams the top last year to
be there again, because if history is for showing us
anything in the Big Twelve, it's as completely unpredictable.
Speaker 2 (16:15):
All right, last thing for you, and we'll get you
out of here on this one. Let's take a look
at the Big Twelve as a whole. Do you believe
the Big Twelve is going to have one or two
teams that are going to be by far and away
the best two teams in the conference, maybe one or
two losses, or do you think it's going to be
a three loss champion. By the end of this upcoming season,
we're gonna have nine teams all vuying for the top spot.
Speaker 1 (16:38):
I think it's a really good question. I think that
it's going to be very similar to last year. I
think we will have I think, unfortunately the Big Twelve
only gets one in because I do think this conference
is going to beat up on itself. I would love
it if two teams could survive the gauntlet of the
schedule and you get to eleven to one teams in
the title title game basically, and then you can hopefully
(16:59):
get both than that. But I think it's much more
likely that a team suffers multiple losses. I mean, let's
just take Utah's schedule right, in order for Utah to
set themselves up to if they didn't win the conference
getting the playoff, they'd have to go eleven and one,
and Utah has to go to UCLA to start the season, right,
But who else do you get? You get Texas Tech,
you get ASU, you get Baylor, and you end the
season with Baylor, Kansas Kansas State. Like that's that's a
(17:21):
gauntlet just down the stretch there too. That's not mentioning
going directly to your rival BYU, which I think BYU
does take a step back this season, but that's till
they're a really good team and a top ten team
in this conference, and it's this rivalry is always an
incredibly close game too, So to me, it's going to
be very hard for any of these teams. There's just
not many that get a break in their schedule where
I'm like, oh, you miss these contenders, because there are
(17:44):
legitimately six to eight teams I really like in this
conference that I think have a chance to win it,
maybe even ten teams that could win it this upcoming season.
And we all know last year, no on would said
that about area those dates they and they wound up
winning it too, so that shows you the potential and
chances for upsets too. But yeah, I think right now
the Big Twelve only gets one in. I think it'll
(18:04):
be a very similar thing with there are multiple tie
breakers and scenarios that we're gonna have four to maybe
even six teams. I'll leave for our six would be
a lot, but four teams going into the final week
of the regular season with a chance to make the
Big Twelve title game. I think we're gonna have a
lot of multi loss teams, and unfortunately, I do think
the Big Twelve only gets one in because of just
how competitive this league is. But I'd love to see
(18:25):
two teams get in. It's just gonna be hard to
have an eleven and one team in a conference like this,
and hopefully those teams can live up to their end
of the bargain, because the strength of schedule maybe would
allow a two loss non conference champion Big Twelve team
to get into the College Football playoffs, but we know
that's really difficult to do with the SEC and the
Big Ten usually getting a lot of those spots. But
(18:46):
this conference is wide open. It's gonna be an incredible
year and I can't wait to see how it's all
gonna play out. And we'll see if you talk and
be one of those teams that's in it at the
end of the year in the Big twelve title Game discussion.
Speaker 2 (18:57):
Just twenty five days, eight hours, twenty minutes and now
twenty two seconds away from kickoff for Utah and UCLA.
Speaker 1 (19:06):
JT.
Speaker 2 (19:06):
Before we let you go, let everybody know where they
can find all of your work and follow you.
Speaker 1 (19:10):
On X yep, you guys can head over to my
ex account which is locked on utes on my personal
one at J two whitsch or so locked on. He's
coming at you Monday through Friday, starting to do double
episodes a day, just trying to get everyone ready for
the season. Lots of talk about, lots of discuss and
always great coming on with you guys as well. Thank
you very much, Bryce.
Speaker 2 (19:30):
Man, we're in the two a days unlocked on utes.
I love it.
Speaker 1 (19:33):
JT.
Speaker 2 (19:33):
Take care of my friend.
Speaker 1 (19:35):
Thank you here as well.
Speaker 2 (19:37):
That is JT wisters to make sure you go and
give him some love over on the lockdown Utes platform
and give him a follow here. This morning always does
a great job covering the Utes and fantastic insight. That
dude is an encyclopedia when it comes to numbers and
knowledge of Utah football and Utah athletics as a whole,
and does a great job at covering the University of Utah.
(19:59):
Great off coming out of Camp Kyle. Always brought to
you by our friends over at Baskin Robbins. Football season
is here. The Utah ESPN Radio Network is getting you
ready with thirty one days of Football presented by Baskin Robbins.
Tune in daily for the best coverage of the University
of Utah byu NFL and even Utah area high schools.
(20:22):
It's the thirty one Days of Football presented by Baskin
Robbins on your home for football here in the State
of Utah, ESPN The Fan. We'll take a break, we'll
wrap it up on the flip side. Your top headlines
and more coming your way. That's next on Bryson Bianucci one, O, three,
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