Estimated read time: 4-5 minutes
- Wayshawn Parker is the early favorite for Utah's lead running back role.
- Coach Kyle Whittingham remains undecided, noting competition from Daniel Bray and others.
- Utah's offense will use a fluid backfield, maximizing talent and diverse play-calling.
SALT LAKE CITY — Wayshawn Parker was a hot commodity following a breakout freshman season at Washington State.
The Richmond, California, native rushed for 735 yards and four touchdowns on 137 carries (5.36 avg.) as the starting running back and was the team's second-leading rusher (only quarterback John Mateer had more rushing production).
It's no wonder, then, that he was one of the top running backs in the transfer portal during the offseason.
And when his running back coach at Washington State, Mark Atuaia, was hired on at the same position at Utah, there was a high likelihood he'd follow his coach. It helped that he could go to a program that has emphasized the run over the years and one that had no returners for the next season.
It was an empty slate and an opportunity to compete in a power conference.
With his eventual commitment to Utah, the four-star transfer running back was penciled in as the natural starter for the Utes. And while little has derailed that thought a week into spring camp, Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham isn't ready to crown him the starter just yet.
"Wayshawn Parker's got the inside track on that, but by no means is that settled," Whittingham said Tuesday after the first day of pad work during spring practices.
In the limited viewing period the media got to witness, Parker got the majority of the first-team reps and performed as expected; but he wasn't the only running back to put on a show, either.
Freshman Daniel Bray had several impact plays that showcased his talent and is a potential reason for why Whittingham indicated there's still work to be done to sort out a so-called pecking order in the room.
Other potential names include senior transfer NaQuari Rogers (New Mexico), sophomore transfer and former high school teammate of Parker in Devin Green (UNLV), and incoming four-star freshman Raycine Guillory in fall.
Parker remains the early leader — and the one with the most proven body of work — but the best talent will see the field in Utah's system. With Whittingham, it's a position group that can maintain some indecision for some time so long as there is production on the field.
Whittingham said the ideal situation is to have the "bell cow back that is the workhorse, but it doesn't have to be that way." And given Utah's situation in the run game over the last few years — arguably since Zack Moss was the bona fide bell cow back — Whittingham has utilized multiple backs to get the job done, to varying degrees and success.
"I've said it through the years, as long as you're getting the overall production, that's really what counts," Whittingham said.
And while a singular player emerging as the star backer — remember, Parker has the "inside track" — would be the most ideal situation for Whittingham and the team's offensive play-calling, Utah will approach this season with a bevy of players capable of adding a spark in the back field.
Look no further than starting quarterback Devon Dampier, who was a mobile threat last season at New Mexico where he rushed for 1,166 yards and 19 touchdowns. Dampier will continue to be a key figure in the run game.
"He's a real weapon in the run game, so he'll be as involved in the run game as any as any of the running backs," Whittingham said.
But even beyond the running backs, Utah has brought back quarterback Nate Johnson, who Whittingham called the team's "Swiss Army knife athlete," in addition to other athletes, like converted running back Hunter Andrews, who is now listed as a tight end now, to add to the ground game.
Utah's offense will have a fluid backfield.
Parker will likely be the leading back, but it's not an area where the coaching staff will be resting on its laurels, especially with so many weapons that offensive coordinator Jason Beck can utilize.
While Parker may have the inside track, it's a position group that will continue to be malleable to the needs of a diverse play-calling system that Beck will maintain. And as long as Parker can maintain a spot in Beck's "circle of trust," it's a positive for the former Washington State star who hopes to eclipse 1,000 yards this season.
It's also a positive for a coaching staff looking to identify a lead running back.
