Utah 2021 Spring Game: The Players Who Starred

Spring is a beautiful time of year, the weather is warming up, the days get longer and college football teams hold fifteen practices usually culminating with some form of spring game. That spring game is often the first chance fans have to see their team in action. Sure, the rules vary depending on the team, players rotate in and out, and some of the big stars don’t play much, but it’s still the first look at the team. It’s dangerous to read too much into spring game performances, but that won’t stop us from highlighting a few players who impressed in Utah‘s spring game.

Charlie Brewer

Brewer has started plenty of games in his career and under normal circumstances would not see a lot of time in a spring game this late in his career. Unfortunately for Brewer, he did not have a good year at Baylor during the 2020 season and decided the new offense was not a good fit for him. After transferring to Utah, the 2021 spring game was Brewer’s first chance to impress his new teammates and fans. He excelled in the offense, finding open receivers and making smart accurate throws that kept the offense moving. Brewer didn’t miss a pass, completing all 15 of his attempts and leading two touchdown drives during the spring game. There is plenty of competition in the quarterback room, but if the spring game is any indicator, Brewer will be the starter in 2021.

Xavier Carlton

Carlton had a dominant performance on the defensive line as he became a mainstay in the backfield. He was effective as a pass rusher, pushing the blocker back while keeping his outside arm free to tackle the quarterback as he tried to escape the pocket. Carlton was also disruptive against the run, on one play he stunted and drove the guard into the running back before disengaging the blocker and making the tackle for loss. Carlton used his hands well and showed good athleticism, disengaging blockers and making several plays to keep the quarterback in the pocket. He was a menace and will be a force on the defensive front for years to come at Utah.

Chris Curry

Curry is another transfer looking to re-energize his career at Utah. The former LSU Tiger had a good day running the football, showing the power and burst to chew up chunks of yardage. Curry is a solidly built running back who was quick through the hole and a load to bring down once he got to the second level. Curry showed the power and acceleration on several plays and finished the game with 6 carries for 44 yards. He will be part of a talented backfield that will feature another transfer running back as well.

TJ Pledger

Pledger transferred in from Oklahoma and showed some of the explosiveness and shiftiness that could help him have a big impact in 2021. He had a few nice runs showing his speed and elusiveness. Pledger was fast to the hole and has the shiftiness to make defenders miss in space. Pledger’s skill set compliments Curry well and the duo will be effective in 2021. For the spring game he finished with 6 carries for 31 yards and 1 catch for 3 yards, but it was his big play potential that should have Utes’ fans excited.

Devaughn Vele

Vele played the part of both big play receiving threat and big reliable target during the spring game. He made a big play downfield for a 40 yard pickup, but also showed the ability to make tough catches in traffic including his touchdown catch where he leapt over defenders for the ball, tapped it and then had the concentration to finish the catch in traffic. Vele was a go-to target for Brewer, catching 4 passes for 66 yards and a touchdown during the game. If Brewer and Vele’s chemistry carries over into the fall, Utah will have a potent passing game in 2021.

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