Tuesday, August 04, 2009

Even with the news that James Aiono won't be available for the 2009 football season, coach Kyle Whittingham seemed excited about his defensive linemen when I spoke to him today. His response to Aiono not being here until January due to academic reasons?

"That is why you over sign," he said. "Often times you have to adjust and make changes. We still feel very deep there, he would have added to it, but we do have a lot of depth."

Aiono was slated to be Lei Talamaivao's backup at tackle. Talamaivao, remember, broke his leg two games into the 2008 season but he is fully recovered according to Whittingham.

Derrick Shelby and Nai Fotu are expected to battle for the starting spot at left end. Shelby is moving back to his natural spot after playing at tackle last year while Fotu is moving from linebacker.

"His best attribute is rushing the passer so at defensive end he can do that full time rather than part time as a linebacker," Whittingham said of the move. "It's the best position for his strengths."

Sophomore Sealver Siliga, who had a strong spring and reportedly a good summer in the strength and conditioning sessions, is slotted at nose tackle ahead of Kenape Eliapo, who missed seven games in 2008 with a broken foot.

The right end is anchored by senior Koa Misi, with Junior Tui'one as his backup. Tui'one played in four games last year.

"It would certainly have been nice to have (Aiono) in camp and we hope to get him in January, but we've got a lot of depth," Whittingham said.

Whittingham said the status of linebacker Mo Neal, who is allowed to practice with the team but not play in games after participating in a bar fight in June, is unchanged until his case is resolved.

Two other JC transfers, receiver Ray Magee and defensive back Maxwell Lacy, are finishing academic work and won't be with the team when camp opens Wednesday but are expected to join the team for the 2009 season, Whittingham said. Everyone else is expected in camp, he said.

The Mtn. will air its football preview specials on Aug. 6, beginning at 6 p.m. TCU's 30-minute special will air first, followed by Air Force, Utah (7 p.m.), BYU, CSU, Wyoming, New Mexico, San Diego State and UNLV.

ESPN is having a mock draft of college football teams. The Utes went at No. 17, one spot behind Oregon.