Ute Utes football: Kyle Whittingham calls camp good, except for key injuries

SALT LAKE CITY — The conclusion of camp won't be met with much fanfare following today's closed scrimmage at Rice-Eccles Stadium.

"There is no real celebration or closing ceremonies or anything like that," said Utah coach Kyle Whittingham. "We just move on."

As usual, the Utes won't practice on Sunday. School starts Monday, when they'll resume a traditional practice routine.

"It was a good camp," Whittingham summarized while adding that the team is a little more banged up than he had hoped. "I don't know if it's any more injuries than any other year, but it seemed to be more key guys that got injuries this year. So we're working through that."

It's something, he continued, that every team in the country deals with to an extent.

As for Utah's final camp scrimmage, Whittingham and his staff are still deciding on details.

"It'll be more similar to scrimmage two than anything," he said. "But we might even take some segments and devote them to Pittsburgh, scout teams stuff."

The Utes and Panthers square off Sept. 2.

STAR POWER: Whittingham said if all goes as planned, defensive lineman Star Lotulei of Snow College will begin practicing with the Utes today. The recruit's arrival has been delayed by academic issues.

"Nothing's a done deal until it's a done deal, but it looks good," Whittingham said.

ANOTHER WHIT IN CAMP: A familiar name has been added to the camp roster. Tyler Whittingham, the coach's son, is helping shore up a lack of depth at safety. He walked on to the team last season.

"It's great. I love having him around. He's a hard-worker," said his father. "He's a tough kid and he's got a great attitude."

SWITCHING BACK: Freshman Terrell Reese opened camp as a wide receiver. He'll conclude it as a safety.

"He was a very good safety in high school. In fact, the majority of the teams that recruited him recruited him as a DB," Whittingham said. "And so we're just going to take a look at him there. We're thin at safety, so now is a good time to try to get him some reps."

EXTRA POINTS: Whittingham said Justin Taplin-Ross and Brian Blechen are solidifying themselves as the starting safeties. Greg Bird will be the first backup at both spots. … The arrival of Dexter Ransom and the improved health of Mo Lee, Whittingham noted, has rejuvenated the crowded competition at wide receiver. … The status of projected starting linebacker J.J. Williams, who has a foot injury, will "go right down to the wire" for the opener against Pittsburgh. … Whittingham is optimistic that running back Sausan Shakerin (concussion) may be back sometime next week.

e-mail: dirk@desnews.com