Utah’s title defense has officially begun. The back-to-back Pac-12 champs returned to the gridiron on Monday to kick off fall camp, with a roster stuffed full of returning production in just about every position group taking to the Spence and Cleone Eccles Football Center.

After practice, head coach Kyle Whittingham met with reporters to preview camp and the new season.

Here’s what he had to say, with select quotes below:

On the newcomers

“They were very good. Mycah Pittman looked really good today. He has a good skill set, soft hands when catching punts and excellent hands out of the slot on offense. Emery Simmons had a good day and our new tight ends did as well. Defensively it was that same crew as we had in the spring, so yeah we are pleased so far.”

On what he is most confident in at the outset of camp

“I would say the defense overall. At every level we are talented and we are deep. The front is physical and athletic, the linebackers are active and tough, and the secondary has a bunch of ballhawks back there with some really good tacklers at safety. So, I think the defense really has a chance to be a standout for us this year.”

On Lander Barton

“Lander is going to be even more impactful than he was last year. He is 15 or 20 pounds heavier than he was and hasn’t lost a step. He is big, physical, and tough. We expect that he is going to be a very good player for us again, even better than last year.”