This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

Just two months ago, Kyle Whittingham was a staunch defender of satellite camps.

When the NCAA looked like it would ban camps, he spoke out against it. When the NCAA Board of Directors eventually rescinded the ban,http://www.sltrib.com/sports/3831656-155/utah-football-utes-elated-by-ncaa";> he lauded the move.

But after a busy camp season in June, during which the Utes ran six camps of their own and were staffing many others across the country, fatigue seems to be setting in. While Whittingham says camps still have importance, he acknowledges there's a problem: There's just way too many.

"It's to the point of saturation," he said in an interview with the Tribune. "I think it would be good to cut back a little bit with the satellite camps we attended."

The Utah head coach's attitude reflects some of the same concernshttp://www.sltrib.com/blogs/pac12/3770063-155/pac-12-digest-satellite-camps-booker-pro";> tight ends coach Fred Whittingham brought to light in April: There's way too many camps and campers to sort out in any concise way. Utah's own brand recognition may not draw top-level recruits that Michigan or UCLA might bring in, for example, and by the time June is over, the Utes may have seen literally thousands of prospects — but only a handful who could truly ever play at Utah.

The constant flying in and out of camps is also a drain during what technically is a "quiet period" during the NCAA recruiting calendar. Coaching staffs are running ragged during some of the time they might've had off in other years.

There's also a dark side to satellite camps: In some areas, psuedo-agents charge fees to set up recruits at a number of satellite camps with promises of earning a football scholarship — even if guaranteeing a scholarship is irresponsible. A source that witnessed satellite camps this year described some of this behavior around the events as "slimy."

Whittingham said his initial reaction to the satellite camp ban — when he said it was a mistake — was in part due to the 11th-hour nature of the decision. Utah and many other schools already had plans in place to run camps, and the ban put those plans at risk. But in the coming year, Whittingham anticipates there will be a more discussed, more sensible set of restrictions that will allow recruits the chance to gain exposure, but also not oversaturate the country with camp after camp after camp.

"I think that's what it's gonna end up doing, and I'm sure we're not the only ones who feel that way about it," Whittingham said. "They may legislate something much earlier than they did last year."

Other notes in Utah sports:

• Kyle Whittingham confirmed that Snow College linebacker Kurtis Taufa,http://bit.ly/1QupeiI";> a signee in the 2016 class, won't academically qualify to play this fall. The Utes are hopeful that he will be able to join the program in the 2017 offseason in time for spring football, but the linebacker depth takes a hit with the news that the Lone Peak alum won't be able to compete in 2016. http://www.sltrib.com/home/3703639-155/utah-football-linebackers-short-on-experience";>Cody Barton and Sunia Tauteoli were the top linebackers in spring camp.

• Whittingham insists that Utah is peacefully parting ways with defensive tackle Stevie Tui'kolovatu, http://bit.ly/1UAzsm6";>who announced his intention to transfer to USC last week. While he's headed to a Pac-12 South rival who will play the Utes in September, Whittingham said Tu'ikolovatu did everything the Utes asked over the course of his career: "We wish Stevie the best. He did his part here. He took care of business academically. There was an academic component to his decision where he is transferring, but he's leaving on very good terms with us."

• Spotted at the Utah football facility: a pair of former first-round picks. Utes great Star Lotulelei (Carolina Panthers) and Highland alum Haloti Ngata (Detroit Lions) were in the house and addressed Utah's Elite Camp group on Wednesday morning.https://twitter.com/IronUtes/status/745684420284186625";> They took a photo with defensive line coach Lewis Powell and junior Lowell Lotulelei. Worth remembering that besides having Star's younger brother Lowell on the defensive line, the Utes also secured a commitment from 2018 recruit (and Highland Ram) Hunter Lotulelei, who is Star's cousin.

kgoon@sltrib.com
Twitter: @kylegoon