Utah Utes Head Coach Kyle Whittingham Gives Honest Admission on Talented Prodigy

Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham doesn’t mention players casually, especially those unlikely to see playing time in the upcoming season. Yet, as the Utes enter their third week of spring practice, Whittingham singled out true freshman quarterback Byrd Ficklin with high praise during a media session.

“Some guys are stepping up. [I am] really impressed with Byrd Ficklin, the quarterback—a true freshman. He’s doing some good things,” Whittingham said.

Ficklin has made an impression, earning reps as the third-string quarterback this week. Taking over the third-team offense midway through camp puts him in the mix for a backup role. However, despite Whittingham’s praise, there’s been no official decision on the backup quarterback job.

Ficklin is unlikely to leapfrog Isaac Wilson, who has the inside track as the No. 2 quarterback. Wilson, a soon-to-be sophomore, is currently leading the second-team offense and has an advantage with game experience, having played in nine games and started seven. Still, Ficklin’s future with the Utes looks promising.

“He’s gaining a strong command of the offense,” Whittingham said. “He has a big-time arm—live and accurate. He’s starting to feel comfortable and is showing the same abilities we saw from him in high school.”

Ficklin, who initially committed to Texas State, had an impressive senior season at Muskogee High School in Oklahoma, leading his team to a 12-0 record before a loss in the state championship game. He finished the year with 2,218 passing yards and 28 touchdowns. Enrolling early has also helped him adapt to John Beck’s offensive system.

As for the rest of the offense, Whittingham believes they are making steady progress. A key factor is Devon Dampier, the overwhelming favorite to be the starting quarterback. His familiarity with Beck, having followed him from New Mexico to Utah, has given the quarterback group a head start this spring.

With a veteran presence in the quarterback room, Ficklin will likely spend his first year learning and developing from the sidelines.