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Watching his old teammate on film is strange not because Cory Butler-Byrd is so familiar with how Jamire Jordan plays, but because he's on a whole new place on the field.
He was a little disoriented when his brother called him and asked, "Hey, guess who you're covering against Fresno State?"
Receiver? J.J.?
"He was my quarterback," Butler-Byrd said, "I'm like, 'Dang, he plays receiver now?'"
The redshirt freshman does play receiver now, and Jordan is expected to go against Butler-Byrd a handful of times when the Utes visit Fresno State on Saturday. Jordan redshirted his first year with the Bulldogs, but this year he's made six catches for 44 yards and figures to be a guy the Utes will need to account for.
Butler-Byrd and Jordan from his days of youth football: The duo won a weekend tournament as Pee Wee players on a team from Palmdale. It's tough to find records that exist from the tournament, but Butler-Byrd recalls scoring three touchdowns in the first game, and remembers Jordan throwing the game-winning pass in the second game.
Since then, the two haven't really crossed paths.
"I haven't talked to him in a couple years, but it will be pretty good to see him again," he said. "He still can run."
Speed is a big part of the 5-foot-10 Jordan's game. He was a track competitor, and he excelled at receiver and return man for Highland High in Lancaster, Calif. Butler-Byrd, whose own life was interrupted by constantly moving as a child, hasn't seen him since they won the tournament. But handshakes can wait until afterward.
"After the game, we can be friends," he said. "I have to play to the best of my ability and shut him down."
Williams getting a reputation
Utah State coach Matt Wells said it last week: We've got to watch out for No. 20. Still, Marcus Williams found a way to get an interception on the first drive, catching an errant pass from Chuckie Keeton.
With two interceptions through two games, the sophomore safety is steadily getting known for making the big play when it's needed. That was also the skill he was noted for in high school — when he was an all-league wide receiver."
"It's a natural skill for me," he said. "I like catching the ball. It's what I put my emphasis on."
That's becoming apparent, as the Utes are tied for third nationally in interceptions behind only San Diego State and Cal. It's fairly common to see Utah's secondary working extra reps after practice on the jugs machine.
Every team gets those chances, safeties coach Morgan Scalley said. Not every team capitalizes.
"Some teams, they drop those," he said. "Our defensive backs, we work on ball drills every single day. That's obviously something that shows up."
Paulo steps into two-deep
Another freshman may see time this week: offensive lineman Darrin Paulo.
The highly touted recruit impressed in camp with his mature build and strength, and after the Utes lost Lo Falemaka potentially for the season after the weekend shooting, they've slid Paulo in at guard.
Many within the program consider Paulo a potential future stalwart, but for now, he's looking for his first in-game reps. That could potentially happen against Fresno State.
"He's a talented young kid, just a true freshman," Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham said. "He's got a lot of good things ahead of him. He's got the size, he's got the strength. He reminds me a lot of C.J. Poutasi."
Another freshman, Caleb Repp, has been oscillating between tight ends and wide receiver this fall, and Whittingham said Repp may get a chance to play on Saturday if the Utes call packages that are specifically for him.
Twitter: @kylegoon