The University of Utah has reached the halfway mark of their 2016 campaign—don’t blink or you just might miss the second half! From a goal line stand to nip BYU to not being able to punch a ticket into Cal’s end zone, this half season has had tremendous highs and a stomach-churning low. In honor of the midway point, Ute Nation decided to write a review of Utah’s best newcomers and impact players so far.
Top Newcomers
Troy Williams
Perhaps one of the best stories for the program was the rise of Troy. After coming to Salt Lake City last winter, he gained the trust and respect of his teammates, who voted him team captain. Perhaps quietly, Williams is having one of the best years for a Utah quarterback in decades. Through six games, Williams has 1504 passing yards for an average of 250 yards per game. For comparison, the Utes haven’t had a quarterback throw for more than 3,000 yards since Scott Mitchell in the late 1980’s. Williams' 58% completion percentage is unenviable, but he’s made up for it with chunk plays to his favorite targets Tim Patrick, Cory Butler-Byrd and Raelon Singleton.
Garett Bolles
Despite Bolles’ circuitous path to Division 1 football, he’s making the most of his opportunity up on the hill after choosing the Utes over pretty much everyone else. With a sluggish start against SUU, Garett Bolles’ trendline has only gone up from the beginning of the season. He plays with passion, precise technique, and loves his fair share of pancakes. When it’s all said and done, Bolles might just go down as one of the best offensive linemen the Utes have had—ever.
Mitch Wishnowsky
Tom Hackett is one of two punters who have won back-to-back Ray Guy Awards (Ryan Allen from Louisiana Tech is the other) and no program has won the award more than two times since its commencement in 2000. All of that could be thrown out the window with sophomore Mitch Wishnowsky. His 50.5 net punt average leads all of FBS; to put it simply, he’s lethal and a game changer. Against Arizona alone, he had 3 punts within the 5 yard line and kept the Utes in the game with his ability to flip the field. Utah, or rather Punter U, has created a dynasty of Australian-made punters with Wishnowsky continuing Hackett’s legacy.
Hallandale Trio
Of the Hallandale, Florida trio of players (Moss, Huntley, Simpkins) the Utes brought in during the 2016 recruiting cycle, Zack Moss has played the biggest role in the offense, but together they have shown that the future of Utah football is bright. While he’s been battling a nagging injury, Moss still has over 300 yards in Utah’s run-by-committee offense. The receiver, Simpkins came up clutch against USC with his crucial 3rd down catch to extend the final drive. Huntley’s role has been the most limited, but his raw talent at quarterback is undeniable. It won’t be long before the three take over Utah’s offense entirely.
Impact Performers
Marcus Williams
Marcus “#HeGone” Williams is not only poised to make another All-Conference selection, but perhaps All-American recognition as well. Being rated by multiple outlets as the number one free safety in all of college football and projected to be selected in the first round of the NFL draft, Utah fans should enjoy watching Williams as much as they can. He already has 3 interceptions and two forced fumbles, as well as 31 tackles for the Utes. Williams anchors the lockdown Utah secondary, and the Utes have benefitted immensely from his ball-hawking abilities.
Tim Patrick
Although he’s been snake bitten, Tim Patrick has been dynamic and clutch in the time he’s been on the field. With 429 yards on the season (in essentially four and a half games), it isn’t out of the equation that he is the first Ute to haul in over 1,000 yards since Dres Anderson in 2013. Guy Holliday has coached up the entire receiving group, and Patrick is no exception. He’s been integral to Utah’s hot start, and they need Patrick healthy if they want to continue that success.
The Defensive Tackles
The defensive tackles—Lowell Lotulelei, Filipo Mokofisi, Pasoni Tasini—have been outstanding in containing the interior run game. So much so, that their 108.6 yards per game given up is good for 6th in the nation. With Lotulelei nursing an injury, Tasini has stepped up big time for the defensive line and looks like he could start for the majority of Pac-12 teams. His sack/safety against Arizona changed the tide for the Utes and gave them the momentum swing they needed to come back and improve to 5-1.
Armand Shyne
Shyne’s 373 yards and 4 touchdowns will be his season total as he went down with an ACL tear against Arizona. However, his role in the offense deserves applause—Shyne went from the fourth-string running back in fall camp to the outright starter by midseason. His injury is a huge blow to the offense and leaves the coaches scrambling to find his replacement. Hopefully Shyne recovers fully for next season, but in the meantime, his yards after contact and 3rd down conversions will be sorely missed.
