With the majority of the offense installed and most of the position experiments over, the Utes could focus on execution and assessing which players are distinguishing themselves from the rest this week.
Among those who have caught the coaches' attention include running backs Thretton Palamo and Harvey Langi, quarterback Tyler Shreve, defensive lineman Joe Kruger, corner Ryan Lacy and safety Michael Walker, Utah coach Kyle Whittingham said.
Palamo, the former rugby star, possibly has made the most gains on offense.
"He has made tremendous strides for a guy who not knowing much about football," Whittingham said. "He is looking like a Division I back."
Kruger, a 6-foot-7, 264-pound sophomore has been the most improved on defense, although as a whole Utah's coaches feel the safeties have made the biggest gains as a group.
They had the most to gain with no returning starters. Walker, a sophomore, and converted receivers Terrell Reese and Tyron Morris-Edwards have eased concerns the position could be a weak spot for the Utes.
"Tyron has been a pleasant surprise and has proven already he can play safety," safeties coach Morgan Scalley said. "He is physical and fast and Terrell has made a good transition. We're still not game ready, but we're feeling a lot better about them."
Saturday's practice was held inside due to the weather. The scrimmage originally scheduled for Saturday has been moved to Monday. Whittingham said it was the most important scrimmage of spring ball and wanted to make sure the weather was ideal.
Utah's coaches have a good handle on the position battles, so the emphasis on Monday's scrimmage is on execution, Whittingham said.
"It needs to be cleaner and productive and to be as error free as we can be," Whittingham said.
Utah offensive coordinator Norm Chow said he has been impressed with tackles John Cullen and Tony Bergstrom, calling both NFL prospects. The one thing he wants from them is more leadership, he said.
"In the real world, the coach isn't in the huddle," he said. "We need those two to take over."
While the Utes were busy working on the offensive schemes for 2011, they were also busy working on the future too. Travis Wilson, a 6-foot-6, 205-pound quarterback out of San Clemente, Calif., visited the Utes this weekend. Considered one of the top quarterbacks in the west, Wilson has visited Washington and currently is visiting Colorado.
The Utes also have offered his teammate, Kyle Murphy, a 6-7, 275-pound offensive lineman too. Murphy has offers from most of the Pac-10 schools.
