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It would seem disconcerting for Utah that after a knee injury to sophomore running back Troy McCormick, a walk-on is taking snaps with the No. 1 offense this spring.

Except that: 1. All-Pac-12 rusher Devontae Booker is a healthy scratch from live work, 2. Brooklyn JUCO back Joseph Williams is expected to be an immediate contributor in fall, and 3. This isn't an ordinary walk-on.

Redshirt freshman Tani Leha'uli is a name familiar to followers of Utah's prep football scene. He ran for 1,759 yards and 15 touchdowns as a senior at Granger, and had he not sat out his senior season because of an off-field issue, he might be a scholarship player somewhere.

But, "it doesn't matter if I'm on scholarship or walk-on, as long as I get to play," he said Saturday, with his parents in attendance. "That's the thing that I love to do."

Leha'uli rushed for 61 yards on 15 carries and catching five passes for 21 yards in Utah's second scrimmage, and afterward, Kyle Whittingham praised him for making the most of his unexpected opportunity this spring.

"The thing that's most impressive is his lack of mental mistakes, because he's relatively new to the program," he said.

Leha'uli isn't overly big — listed at 5-foot-11 and 210 pounds — but he's a hard-charging back who is very uncooperative when defenders try to bring him down behind the line of scrimmage.

Before short-yardage plays, Leha'uli said, "that's when I start building up that anger."

His top priority now is to improve ball security. Saturday, Jason Whittingham ripped the pigskin free as Leha'uli was dragged to the turf.

That was a lot easier in high school, he admitted with a laugh.

"It's like multitasking," he said. "As a running back, you've got to have vision, you've got to run, and sometimes you forget that you have the ball swinging around."

Between the lines • Sophomore defensive tackle Alani Havili-Katoa took the field in a red, numberless jersey at Saturday's practice, getting instruction from offensive line coach Jim Harding at guard.

It may not be a permanent switch, but Utah's depth at guard is currently thin with Salesi Uhatafe being held out for spring ball.

In the event of further injury this fall, one option might be to move senior Siaosi Aiono to guard and start junior Hiva Lutui at center.

But Utah is exploring all of its options, and moving Havili-Katoa out of a deep defensive tackle rotation appears to be another they've been toying with.

"It's different," said Havili-Katoa, who also played center at Stansbury High. "It's new and it's fun, and I'm interested."

Special guests • Utah received unofficial visits Saturday from two prospects who currently hold scholarship offers in California athlete Davir Hamilton and offensive tackle Alex Akingbulu, a three-star and four-star, respectively, according to Rivals.com.

Also on hand was former Washington quarterback Troy Williams, who will attend Santa Monica in 2015 and be eligible to play two more seasons starting in 2016. Utah hopes to carry four scholarship quarterbacks into next season, so whether they offer Williams may be dependent on how many of Utah's quarterbacks transfer out of the program in the coming months.

Tidbits • New York Jets outside linebacker Trevor Reilly was on hand, saying: "The defense is flying around, I love that," and crediting the enthusiasm of new defensive coordinator (and former Reilly line coach) John Pease and safeties coach Morgan Scalley. … Whittingham presented senior linebacker Gionni Paul with a customized shirt, reading "G-Bo's Lucky 13 Cleaning Service," to honor the loss of Paul's team in the offseason training competition, and their resulting post-practice custodial duties. … Whittingham said Travis Wilson has lost 4 or 5 pounds and "it seems to have made a big difference" in his speed. … Junior cornerback Reginald Porter may not be 100 percent after last season's severe knee injury, Whittingham said, "but he may be the most pleasant surprise of spring football, the way he's playing." … Whittingham said Bubba Poole, who had one reception for 3 yards Saturday, needs to receive the ball more.

Kyle Goon contributed reporting.

Twitter: @matthew_piper