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Ahead of Week 2 of spring football, Tyler Huntley has made his depth chart debut.

On Utah's updated depth chart, Huntley is listed as co-starter with Troy Williams and Brandon Cox. While the smart money says that either Williams or Cox will be the starter this fall, Huntley's appearance as the third candidate doesn't seem to be merely a coaching tactic after the Florida freshman made some of the best deep throws of the first week.

The new depth chart also more accurately reflects Kyle Whittingham's stated intention http://bit.ly/1o5nfZn";>to give each QB equal reps through the first two weeks.

After Saturday's session, Whittingham was downright effusive with praise for his newcomers at the position.

"The two new guys are dynamic players, Troy and Tyler," he said. "All three can run. All three have exceptionally quick releases, especially Troy. Troy probably has the quickest release of all three. They're all smart, they care, they work hard in the film room. Through three practices, two of the guys that are new to the program really impressed with what they can do."

Williams has shown adeptness in the short to midrange game, while Huntley showed his touch on TD passes to Kyle Fulks and Tyler Cooperwood. Handling the pass rush has been a bit of an issue for the freshman, and Williams possibly showed the most composure under the rush on Saturday in full-team drills.

Cox didn't have his best showing on Saturday, but his experience with Utah's personnel and playbook — and his showing at earlier practices — clearly thrusts him into this competition.

A few other notes from the weekend:

• Cory Butler-Byrd has been studying up after switching positions. The 5-foot-10 senior said all things equal, he would rather be playing defense. But based on the depth Utah has in the secondary and the lack of weapons they've enjoyed in the receiving game, he's needed more on offense.

Butler-Byrd said having a full offseason to learn the position is a big help. He entered into the fray midstream, not getting cleared to come to Utah until July last year. Initially a receiver, http://bit.ly/1DKlPdZ";>Butler-Byrd switched to defense after a week of camp when it was unclear if Dominique Hatfield would be able to return. When the Utes tried to make him an offensive player again, he admits he was a little over his head.

"This year we started it over, teaching the whole playbook," he said. "I got a chance to learn from the beginning. Now I can think about how I'm going to run my route. It's a little bit easier."

Butler-Byrd had one catch last year, but it was a doozy: a 54-yard touchdown against Cal. Only Britain Covey and Harrison Handley had longer catches in 2015.

He said he hopes to give Utah some of that big-play ability this fall. While he's long relied on his instincts to play, he's come to appreciate what he can do by having a better grasp of the playbook.

"When I got the ball, it's always great to play off instinct," he said. "But with my route-running, sometimes instincts get in the way of the timing between the play and what I'm supposed to do. If I'm supposed to go on a route, sometimes my instincts mess up the play."

• Saturday's biggest hit belonged to junior safety Andre Godfrey, who found running back Joe Williams on a short reception and run down the sideline. He walloped Williams with a shoulder that sent the senior back sprawling on the sideline.

It was the kind of hit that sends the entire defense leaping up and down — one of the welcome rituals of spring's first padded practice.

"When the pads come on, it's what we call a thud tempo and you're not supposed to take anyone to the ground," defensive coordinator Morgan Scalley said. "Sometimes the back get a little bit overaggressive and dip their shoulder, and then the safeties get upset."

And when the safeties get upset: Wham.

But Godfrey is also delivering his best hits in a bid to be a starting safety this fall. While the depth chart lists him as a back-up to Marcus Williams at the free safety spot, coaches said that Godfrey and senior Jason Thompson are battling for strong safety. While Thompson is still on top for now, Whittingham said Godfrey is "closing the gap."

"He's getting better and better," he said. "He's starting to do the things we saw on his high school tape. He's getting more confident."

• Chad Hekking is enrolled and playing. Utah has gotten another freshman tight end, who joined the program a year ahead of schedule. Hekking originally planned to go on a two-year LDS Church mission, a plan that Whittingham said changed, and the Utes brought him in this January.

At 6-foot-4 and 240 pounds, http://bit.ly/1mMqx2e";>Hekking was originally considered a possible candidate for several positions. But Whittingham said that at least for spring, the coaching staff has him set at tight end.

"It appears that he's going to be a big help to us down the road, maybe not right away," Whittingham said. "But he's got a good skill set, a good size and strength and speed to play the position."

kgoon@sltrib.com
Twitter: @kylegoon