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SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah football program opened its fall camp on Wednesday, marking the start of the 2019 season as the Pac-12's best dog.
The players were not fully padded because the team had to take part in the acclimatization period of the NCAA, but they were able to go through various exercises and games to start the camp.
One day before the camp starts, Steve Bartle from Utezone reported that linebacker Manny Bowen had informed Utah that he was leaving football. Head coach Kyle Whittingham said on Wednesday that Bowen had told the coaching staff that he was leaving football to pursue a "business opportunity that he felt was too good to let go".
"He's coming out of football and starting a career in business," Whittingham said. "We wish him the best and hate to see him go. We were excited about what he brought to the table this season. "
Whittingham added that the news had "surprised us" because there was no indication that Bowen would leave the program during summer fitness.
"We are going ahead and we have guys to fill this position," said defensive coordinator Morgan Scalley.
Bowen's departure leaves room for the rover position, but Whittingham said the second year, Devin Lloyd, should take the job alongside starter Francis Bernard.
"He's a guy we have a lot of confidence in," Whittingham said.
"He is the one who deserves the representatives," Scalley added. "He's athletic and he's a good football player, and he'll show it."
Whittingham said there were about three or four players in the position who are ready to play, but they are looking to have at least six players who can be ready in that position. Trennan Carlson, a junior who joined the program earlier this year; the second year Sione Lund, who redshirt last season; and the young rookie Andrew Mata'afa, who, according to Scalley, has to gain weight.
Andy Ludwig joining the offensive as offensive coordinator of the team, some changes will be made to the system set up in the field. Senior Zack Moss said the offensive would be a little "slowed down" because the team will use the group more. He added that the offense would run the ball further because "we know our identity as early as the fall camp".
Moss, who has just finished his knee injury season, will be limited in his fall camp representatives to ensure he is in good health early in the season. Behind Moss, Whittingham said that Devonta'e Henry-Cole was the next generation at this stage, but Devin Brumfield and newcomers Micah Bernard and Jordan Wilmore also wanted to play.
On the offensive line, Whittingham said he was confident in his three "proven commodities" – Darrin Paulo (left tackle), Orlando Umana (center) and Nick Ford (right tackle) – but he wants to have at least four or five more people add to the starting rotation.
Paul Toala and rookie Braeden Daniels as guard goal favorites, Noah Osur-Myers and Alex Locklear, as well as Alex Locklear and senior graduates, were transferred while Bamidele Olaseni was transferred.
Whittingham said that Mr Olaseni, who is currently not part of the team due to the need to graduate from his current junior college, is expected to join the program by Wednesday. Olaseni, a 6-foot-7 line player should bring experience to the line, but it will take time to acclimatize to the program since it was not with the company. 39 team during summer fitness sessions.
An area that has always been the strongest region of Utah will be a matter throughout the fall camp as coaches seek to replace his starting striker. First-year student Jadon Redding, who has a proven track record in the spring, and Andrew Strauch, a former graduate student who was previously at UCLA, are the main candidates for the position.
Whittingham said the match-puck match went well on Wednesday and that there was only one kick missed during all the tries; from what distances, however, is unknown. He added that it was similar to what Utah had experienced two years ago when Matt Gay and Chayden Johnston were fighting for the lead.
"Let's hope someone emerges as we did two years ago and takes it and lets it go," Whittingham said.
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Josh Furlong
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