Three Observations From Utah's Depth Chart vs. Florida

The Utah Utes released their first depth chart of the 2023 campaign Friday, just six days out from their bout with the Florida Gators.

After a classic contest in Gainesville, Fla., to kick off the 2022 season, the two teams will face off for a second time in Salt Lake City, Utah, on Thursday at 8 p.m. EST/ 6 p.m. MST.

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In anticipation of the season-opening contest, All Gators analyzes the Utes' depth chart, drawing three observations pertaining to their matchup with Florida below.

Cam Rising listed as QB1

As expected, Cameron Rising is listed as the Utes' top signal-caller for the matchup with the Florida Gators, but his status remains in flux.

Utah's medical staff hasn't cleared Rising to fully participate at this stage as he endures the final stretch of his rehabilitation efforts from a torn ACL he suffered against Penn State in the Rose Bowl on Jan. 2, despite his best efforts to expedite the process.

Head coach Kyle Whittingham has held firm that Rising will be a legitimate game-time decision, offering a cutoff of ten minutes before kickoff prior to ruling out their talented dual-threat passer.

"Yeah, there will be a cutoff date. Probably 10 minutes before kickoff," Whittingham told local media. "If he's not ready to go then we will go with Plan B."

If he cannot suit up, Plan B is redshirt junior Bryson Barnes.

Barnes has appeared in 13 contests for the Utes over four seasons. He's accounted for 453 yards, five touchdowns and two interceptions on 64.9% completion, adding 126 yards on 21 carries.

Most of his snaps during his tenure in Salt Lake City have come in relief of Rising off the bench. The offense serves mostly as a rushing attack under his command, as 109 of his 200 career plays under center have been handoffs.

However, he does have experience as a fill-in starter, working as the Utes' top signal caller in a contest against the Washington State Cougars in 2022, where he led Utah to a 21-17 victory, going 17-of-27 for 175 yards and one score in a turnover-free performance.

Barnes will be thrust into the same scenario if Rising isn't cleared for week one, as the depth chart indicates.

All starting spots are solidified, except for one

The Utes' depth chart is primarily set in stone with a clear two deep at each position.

However, the slot receiver spot includes an "OR" designation, indicating the possibility for Florida State transfer Mycah Pittman or true freshman Mikey Matthews to command the starting role.

The mixture of veteran and youthful talent at the position will culminate in a fruitful rotation between Pittman and Matthews throughout the year, barring injury. It will begin in week one against Florida.

Pittman, a two-time transfer, began his career with the Oregon Ducks. Failing to crack the wide receiver rotation at a consistent rate, he elected to transfer to Florida State for the 2022 season, where he witnessed a career-best season en route to 32 receptions for 330 yards and three touchdowns.

Now, the fifth-year senior returns to the Pac-12 for his final collegiate year with Utah.

He'll also control the team's punt return duties after proving productive in that facet of the game for the Seminoles in 2022, producing 9.4 yards per return, good for 15th-best in the nation during the campaign.

Meanwhile, Matthews embarks on his true freshman season with high expectations for his long-term impact on the Utes attack.

Showcasing top-tier route running skills with notable wiggle, adequate straight-line speed and impressive body control at the catch point during his prep career, Matthews earned a composite four-star billing and 21 offers to his name. He proved his worth while participating in the Under Armour All-America Game in January.

He's expected to be a high-floor, high-ceiling, pass-catching asset for Utah in 2023, starting with the week one contest.

Gators STAR nickel cornerback Jaydon Hill — and his backups Jadarrius Perkins and Sharif Denson — have a daunting task at hand containing the duo of pass catchers out of the slot, especially Matthews.

Nine underclassmen taking on starting positions

The Gators aren't the only ones relying on youthful talent at crucial spots to begin the upcoming campaign.

True freshman left tackle Spencer Fano, sophomore right guard Michael Mokofisi, sophomore running bJa'Quindennden Jackson, true freshman slot wideout Mikey Matthews, redshirt freshman defensive lineman Keanu Tanuvasa, sophomore linebacker Lander Barton, redshirt freshman nickel cornerback Tao Johnson and sophomore punter Jack Bouwmeester are slotted into starting roles for Utah in week one.

Six members of the list have never seen starting action, including Jackson, who earned the unrivaled top running back spot after an impressive showing to end his redshirt freshman campaign.

Mokofisi is the most experienced of the bunch, serving as a consistent piece in the team's offensive line over the last two seasons with 17 appearances and 13 starts to his resume. He helps anchor a unit returning three of its five starters from 2022, alongside juniors Keaton Bills (left guard) and his partner on the right side of the line Sataoa Laumea (right tackle).

Defensively, Tanuvasa and Johnson take on defensive tackle and nickel cornerback roles, respectively, with just four appearances under their belts.

However, both have earned praise for their progression throughout the offseason, leaving the team and staff comfortable to see them take over the crucial roles in a defense highly anticipated to rank atop college football in 2023.

Unlike Florida, Utah's young pieces will have an array of tenured veterans to lean on on both sides of the ball, giving the Utes a healthy variance of talent lining this roster.

Stay tuned to All Gators for continuous coverage of Florida Gators football, basketball and recruiting. Follow along on social media at @AllGatorsOnFN on Twitter and All Gators on FanNation-Sports Illustrated on Facebook.

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