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Ken Hampel's first thought was that he was the butt of a joke in a team meeting. It took him a few seconds to realize he was the guest of honor.

The senior tight end from Mountain View, Calif., got one of the thrills of his life this week when coach Kyle Whittingham announced he would be receiving a scholarship. A walk-on since 2012, Hampel said he never really imagined that it would happen.

"I had no clue," he said. "I still have no words to describe it."

The Utes live-streamed the event on Periscope on Friday night, the first time the team has broadcast a meeting live. After playing a few video clips of Hampel, who had one start last year for the Utes, Whittingham invited him to the front of the room and announced he was on scholarship. The rest of the team erupted.

Asked about it on Saturday morning after practice, Whittingham smiled and called it the best part of his job.

"[Hampel is] a guy that does nothing but what he's supposed to do," he said. "He's got one of the best work ethics of anyone who's ever come through here. Never complains, never asks for anything. Just works hard and does his job"

Hampel had one catch for 29 yards last year against ASU, stepping up for the tight end group after two season-ending injuries. Several teammates expressed their admiration for him on Twitter, including senior lineman Isaac Asiata.

"That kid deserves a scholarship more than anyone else on scholarship," he said. "I didn't even know Hamp wasn't on scholly. He worked hard off scholarship, and I know he's going to work 10 times harder now that he is."

But even on scholarship, the math and financial planning major kept his celebration low-key. His girlfriend took him out for ice cream, he said, but he had to return to the team hotel for bed check.

That's Hampel in a nutshell: He doesn't want to make it a big thing.

"It means a lot, it means there's a light at the end of the tunnel," he said. "But I don't want anything to be any different than it was, honestly. Just keep working hard."

Center, quarterback firming up

After a week of playing J.J. Dielman at center with the first-string offensive line, Whittingham finally acknowledged that it's a done deal. Dielman will be handling snaps going into the season, barring injury.

The transition has been going well, he said, but the senior from Arizona still needs a little more work on his snaps.

"He's very good with the mechanics and technique once the ball's been snapped," he said. "But he's still a little bit inconsistent on the snap itself."

That coincides with junior Troy Williams starting to take all first-team reps as of Friday. Whittingham said that the former junior college star continues to earn separation between Brandon Cox and Tyler Huntley, particularly in his dedication to watching film. He didn't point to any specific improvement the coaching staff would like to see from Williams — only more of what he's shown so far.

"I don't know if there's anything we're not seeing, just want to continue to get better," he said. "Get better in the scheme, no mental mistakes, going the the right place with the ball — that kind of stuff."

Receiver breakdown

Whittingham is also getting closer to determining the receiver rotation he would like. The coaching staff typically looks for six receivers they can count on.

On the outside, the Utes feel comfortable with Tim Patrick and Tyrone Smith, who have taken the majority of the one reps. Caleb Repp and Saiosi Wilson are also pushing on the outside. Junior college transfer Alec Dana hasn't made an immediate impact since joining the program, but is continuing to shake off rust after sitting out last year.

"Alec Dana's doing a nice job," Whittingham said. "Continues to work hard. There's some things he needs to learn, but he's got a lot of upside."

In the slot, Whittingham said junior Kyle Fulks is "playing the best football he's played since he's been here." Demari Simpkins, Tyler Cooperwood and Kenric Young also got nods from the head coach.

Twitter: @kylegoon