I am an eye-test guy.
First glance, first look, first impression, initial perception, what are my first takeaways. It might not count for much, if anything, but I can’t help myself.
Jaylon Glover checks all of the eye-test boxes despite the University of Utah listing the freshman running back at 5-foot-7, 211 pounds. He is compact, but he’s all muscle. His quads are noticeable, as are his forearms, and yes, the tattoos on his arms pop. It is hard not to look at this kid and believe there’s not going to be an early-season highlight of him dragging a defender for a few extra yards.
At a recent practice, Glover approaches, a wide smile emanates. Pleasantries are exchanged, the handshake is firm. Whatever menacing physical feature one was zeroed in on gives way to an affable personality. Clearly, he is well-schooled in media relations, answering each question thoroughly and thoughtfully, but without giving away too much of anything.
As far as this latest Lander Barton-led recruiting class goes, Glover was the hype man. He committed on Aug. 6 after a bells-and-whistles news conference, he reaffirmed that commitment time and time again on social media, even after his lead recruiter, running backs coach Kiel McDonald, left Utah for USC following the Rose Bowl. All of that has led to this month as spring practice is underway.
Kyle Whittingham has spoken to reporters twice thus far. He has not been peppered with Glover questions, but the topic has come up during both sessions because, well, the Glover hype train is churning, partially because of his own deft self-promotion. Fans expect him to make an immediate impact, Glover himself expects to make some impact, and if you listen to Whittingham, it’s clear he does as well, praising Glover’s work both on and off the field thus far.
At this point, I would echo everyone’s sentiment. The backfield belongs to Tavion Thomas. Micah Bernard will have a say, maybe Chris Curry or Ricky Parks will, too, but there is every reason to believe Glover will be in that mix.
After all, his first impression earlier this week was quite something.
Other things on my mind
• With the college basketball world in New Orleans Final Four, I do not expect a resolution to Utah’s assistant opening this weekend, but I would be mildly surprised if it goes beyond next weekend. On topic, the late signing period begins April 12.
• Riley Battin played 118 basketball games for Utah, starting 80 of them. He was going to land on his feet once he opted for the NCAA Transfer Portal earlier this month. His commitment to Cal Baptist makes a lot of sense. A competitive WAC program, located in Riverside, about 90 minutes from where Battin grew up in Oak Park. He should do well there.
• Utah linebacker Mohamoud Diabate, a Florida transfer, met the local media for the first time on Thursday. As you surely know, Utah opens at The Swamp on Sept. 3, which offers an interesting dynamic for Diabate. Utes fans will eat this quote up: “... and those are some of my closest friends. But at the end of the day, I want to destroy them. … They know who I am, you’re my enemy now.”
• I’m very much looking forward to this Final Four, which features four blue-blood programs. Yes, Villanova, in this day and age, is absolutely a blue blood. Kansas over Villanova, Duke over UNC in the most-anticipated game in the history of the best rivalry in the sport, Kansas over Duke on Monday night.
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