The Utah Utes went into spring football hoping to find some leaders on defense and some would-be starters at receiver and safety.

The Utes finished their spring session having found their guys, at least until fall.

Utah coach Kyle Whittingham said he has learned a lot about his football team and is satisfied overall with the work in the spring, but also expects the key position battles to continue in the fall, when the signees can participate.

"There was a lot of good work," he said. "We found out a lot about a bunch of guys, particularly at the safety and receiver positions. We made a lot of progress."

Offensively, the Utes liked the improvement that was made at both receiver and tight end.

Freshmen Fatu Moala, of Kearns High, and Griffin McNabb, of Pocatello, Idaho, both did well enough to earn a spot in the starting lineup if the Utes had a game now, co-offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick said.

"Fatu was a good high school quarterback but I thought he was such a great athlete he could be a receiver, and he developed faster than I thought," he said. "We'll see how it shakes out in the fall when the others come in, but he and Griffin McNabb are both in the top four right now."

Roderick also liked the way returners Luke Matthews, DeVonte Christopher and Jereme Brooks played.

With several talented tight ends available, the Utes have promised to use their tight ends more in 2010. There is no reason to believe the evolution of the Utes' offense won't happen after freshman Westlee Tonga and returners Kendrick Moeai and Brad Clifford all had solid springs. The Utes also are looking forward to the return of Dallin Rogers, who played as a freshman in 2007 before leaving on a mission.

"Tonga really impressed us," said Whittingham, the defensive-minded coach who likes the potential of the tight ends. "We want to get the best 11 on the field and the tight ends were very productive toward the end of last season and since spring, Day 1, they've been doing a nice job. We want to get the best 11 out there and they are in that mix. You tweak things; that is the essence of coaching, to feature your playmakers. It's not the other way around. You don't get a scheme and plug players into it."

Defensively, the Utes lost a key player when linebacker Nai Fotu suffered a season-ending knee injury. However, defensive coordinator Kalani Sitake said the linebackers overall made progress.

"It was unfortunate Nai got hurt, but it allowed [Chaz] Walker and [Matt] Martinez to come along, and Boo Andersen made great progress. We have good depth but we lack some experience. We have to practice with intensity and simulate what we'll see in the games."