Football | 8/7/2024 12:05:00 PM
Utah Tech heads into the 2024 season with a lot of unknowns, but with a lot of potential in a young, but deep and talented quarterback room. In all, the Trailblazers opened fall camp with six quarterbacks, including two redshirt juniors who both transferred to Utah Tech from NCAA FBS Power-5 conference schools, along with two returning redshirt freshmen, and two true freshmen.
The unknowns are, of course, are a new season, a new coaching staff and system, and four of the six signal callers are brand new to the program. That said, each of the six quarterbacks are gaining more experience and confidence with every rep and film session as they collectively work hard to learn a new offense.
"We've got a lot of depth and we have a good group of guys - I'm excited about them," says Utah Tech Offensive Coordinator and QB Coach Greg Stevens. "We've got a real good room, they all can throw [the football], they get along and work real well together.
"We're still competing to see where the guys are going to land, but I'm real excited about the quarterback position," Stevens went on to say. "We're probably as deep as a lot of schools, including the FBS [subdivision]."
Deacon Hill, R-Jr., Santa Barbara, Calif./Santa Barbara HS/Wisconsin/Iowa
Deacon Hill (6-2; 258) has the most experience of the six Trailblazer quarterbacks in camp. The 6-2 passer transferred to Utah Tech from Iowa, where he started the last nine games last season and helped lead the then-nationally ranked Hawkeyes to the Big 10 West division title and a trip to the Big 10 Championship, along with a bid to the 2024 Cheez-It Citrus Bowl.
Hill completed 122-of-251 passing for 1,152 yards and five touchdowns, and ran for two more scores a season ago. Hill originally signed to play at Wisconsin, where he appeared in only one game for the Badgers in two seasons (2021-22).
"I've been real pleased with what Deacon has done," Stevens said. "He picked up the offense well, he's got real good arm talent, and he'll be able to run the ball a little bit."
Luke MacPhail, R-Jr., Winthrop, Mass./Dexter Southfield HS/Syracuse
Luke MacPhail (6-4; 225) was part of two bowl game appearances at Syracuse during his four years with the Orange program, for which he saw limited time over the past two seasons.
MacPhail was one of the top prep quarterbacks in Massachusetts, and graduated as the NEPSAC league's career leader in passing yards (7,195) and touchdowns (85) in four seasons at Dexter Southfield HS.
"Luke had a solid spring for us and hopefully he can continue to improve and get better," Stevens noted.
Reggie Graff, R-Fr., St. George, Utah/Dixie HS
Reggie Graff (6-1; 200) has been part of the Trailblazer program for the past two seasons, though he has not yet taken any in-game snaps under center. He could be looked upon to give the Trailblazer offense a change of pace in certain situations this upcoming season.
The 6-1 lefthander was a two-year starter at Dixie HS, where he passed for 2,307 yards and 26 touchdowns, and rushed for 1,241 and 19 scores as a senior for the Flyers. He was part of three-straight region titles and led the DHS to the 2019 Utah 4A semifinals.
"Reggie had a pretty good spring and he's having a good fall camp," said Stevens. "He's a little different player than Luke and Deacon, he's more of an athletic guy who can run and make some plays with his feet."
Skyler Cassel, R-Fr., Yakima, Wash./West Valley HS
Skyler Cassel (6-0; 185) is the lone quarterback in camp who saw time under center for the Trailblazers in 2023. The redshirt freshman appeared in Utah Tech's final possession in the road loss at Missouri State (9/23), against which he completed 1-of-3 passes for six yards.
Cassel prepped at West Valley HS, where he threw for 7,280 yards and 78 passing touchdowns in 22 career games played, including a Valley League record 3,728 yards and 35 touchdowns in 10 games during his senior campaign on his way to league Offensive MVP, first team all-league, and Yakima County Player of the Year honors in 2022.
Bronson Barben, Fr., St. George, Utah/Dixie HS
Bronson Barben (6-4; 215) originally signed with Utah Tech in 2022 before departing for an LDS Church mission. Barben replaced a graduated Graff at Dixie HS and helped lead the Flyers to the 2021 Utah 4A state championship game.
Barben threw for 4,268 career yards and 33 touchdowns at DHS, with 1,731 of those yards and 16 TDs coming as a senior in that 2021 season on his way to first team all-state honors.
Ty McCutcheon, Fr., Ewa Beach, Hawai'i/Punahou HS
Ty McCutcheon (6-3; 195) was a three-star recruit and first team all-conference selection out of Punahou High School, where he earned four varsity letters and helped lead the "Sons of Oahu" to a pair of conference titles. He threw for over 2,000 yards and 20-plus touchdowns during his senior season and was selected to play in the 2023 Polynesian Bowl.
"Skyler has had a good fall so far and will start the year down on the depth chart," said Stevens. "I feel that Bronson will be a good player down the road for us. He has a lot of arm talent, he's a big kid, he's real smart, and he can throw it. Ty has been good and has worked real hard to learn our system after coming from [a run-and-shoot] offense in high school."
Utah Tech kicks off its fifth season of NCAA D-I FCS play on Saturday, August 31, when the Trailblazers welcome Big Sky Conference power No. 4 Montana State to Greater Zion Stadium. Kickoff is slated for 8 p.m.
