Utah Running Backs Begin to Emerge

The University of Utah is in their second week of preparation for the highly anticipated upcoming season, and they are quickly building their depth and rounding the edges at positions that went into fall camp with some questions. One of those position groups is running back. While the questions might remain, the picture is becoming more and more clear as the staff has seen a lot of positives with the group over the first week and a half.

After missing 11 games in the 2023 season due to an injury, the Utes return veteran back Micah Bernard, who feels rejuvenated coming into his final year.

"You know, I love the game," Bernard said. "Like I said, I lost a lot. I love football and just losing it for such a long time, you want to grind even harder — just to come back. So just being back is nice to be out here with the boys, working hard, going towards the achievement."

Whittingham noted that Bernard is a clear lead back of the group with his accrued game reps and being well versed within the offense, but he also noted other players pushing for the RB1 position.

“I can tell you right now Mike Mitchell is right there on his [Bernard] heels and really starting to emerge. Jaylon Glover is a guy who’s played a lot of reps for us, so those guys are in the mix,” Whittingham continued. “Hunter Andrews, we moved him from linebacker to running back, and he has shown really well. It’s nothing new to him; he was a running back in high school, a very productive back.”

At 6-foot-3 and 225 pounds, Andrews played at running back and rushed for 1,000 plus yards in his senior year alone. Coming out of high school, he was recruited at linebacker position by coach Swan and played out the spring at linebacker, but was moved to running back as Utah looks for a bruising every-down type of back.

Whittingham expressed the decision to move Andrews was due to Glover being out the first week of practice because of a minor injury and the other younger guys not being where they need to be physically. Therefore, with a deep linebacker room, it was only natural to give Andrews his shot and he ran with it.

When it comes to Bernard, he can be an every-down back, but his versatility in the passing game is too valuable. This is something that is likely to reduce his carries, despite his expected role as a featured offensive weapon.

One year after torching Utah’s defense on the scout team, Mitchell is showing that he could be the guy splitting the first team reps with Bernard. He adds needed size to the group at 6-foot and 217 pounds.

Of course, no one is forgetting about the speedy tandem of Dijon Stanley and John Randle Jr., but at 178 and 182 pounds, respectively, they’re more designed for the change-of-pace roles.

While there was uncertainty going into fall camp, any potential concerns for the running back group is fading with each practice.