Weddle prepares for role as leader

Eric Weddle has done a lot of things in his career at Utah. The All-American candidate's versatility has led to action at cornerback, safety, quarterback, punter, holder, kick returner and kickoff coverage.

As a senior, the reigning Mountain West Conference defensive player of the year is adding another role — team leader.

"I've been around and I know what to do. I think it's more mental now. You've got to be mentally prepared to come out here every day," Weddle said after Saturday's practice at Rice-Eccles Stadium. "I feel like every day I'm out here to get better and lead these guys. That's what you have to do to put this team at the next level. You've got to have the leaders be leaders and make plays every day."

No days off, he added.

"This year, this is my team and the fellow seniors' team. We've got to lead by the way we play and by our example," Weddle said. "This team is only going to go as far as we take them."

Utah coach Kyle Whittingham acknowledged leadership is an important role. So much so, in fact, that he knows of no great team that didn't have great leaders step forward.

Weddle, he explained, is a natural to fill the role.

"He's certainly one of our leaders. There's no question about that. I would expect him to be voted team captain," Whittingham said. "There's no reason in the world he shouldn't be our team leader."

The intriguing question, though, is whether Weddle will do so as a safety or as a cornerback. Utah's coaching staff is prepared to put him at either spot — sparking a highly competitive spring in the defensive backfield.

"We're going to get the best four back there. If three of those four happen to be corners, including Eric, we'll move him back to safety," Whittingham explained. "And if the safety position outplays the corners, we'll adjust accordingly."

The competition, he noted, will continue in fall camp.

Though the safety spots are stable with returning starters Casey Evans and Steve Tate (who is seeing limited action after offseason shoulder surgery), the same cannot be said of the cornerback positions. An intense competition is brewing this spring. Whittingham said Shaun Harper, Ryan Harper, Brice McCain and junior college transfer Mombroso Washington are separating themselves from the pack.