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SALT LAKE CITY — The University of Utah has seen several players take on new roles this season.
Josh Nurse switched over from receiver to safety and Alani Havili-Katoa went from a defensive tackle to an offensive lineman. Now, Troy McCormick can be added to the list as he will take on a familiar role as running back.
“I am just trying to take advantage of the opportunity to play both positions and just to make big plays for the team,” McCormick said after Monday’s practice. “I like playing (receiver). I want to play wherever I can help the team and just make plays."
The 5-foot-9 senior, who missed all of the 2015 season due to injury and four games last season, played as backup running back and had impressive games against SUU and BYU as he led the Utes in rushing and all-purpose yards in both games.
“I already knew running back situations but now this spring I learned the receiver part of it from Coach Holliday and now I am just trying to combine those two in the fall and I am just trying to get better at both,” McCormick said.
While receiver coach Guy Holliday and offensive coordinator Troy Taylor both praise McCormick for his versatility and his ease of taking on receiver responsibilities, McCormick said that along with Holliday helping him out, he has also turned to other receivers. McCormick calls Demari Simpkins a great route runner and even goes and watches film on Simpkins by himself just to learn from him.
McCormick’s speed and athleticism have helped him adjust to playing as a receiver, however, he is still learning all the ropes of the position. “With moving to receiver, it’s not just one person trying to get open, it’s four people trying to get open and there is only one ball that can get to four people so you have to work even harder to try and get that ball so it is just different than running back,” he said.
Although McCormick will see downs as a receiver this season, don’t expect him to miss out on his usual running back routes as Coach Taylor commented that he will still contribute in a big way to the running back position and that Taylor even sees him mostly as a running back.
“I think (McCormick) gives us depth if something happens,” Taylor said. “He can play inside the slot, but right now I think he’s a versatile guy, so we’ll highlight him to use his talents.”
Whether McCormick turns out to contribute more as running back or a receiver, one thing for certain is the team's competition and work ethic, which he calls crazy while saying he is excited to be competing with the rest of the receivers. “Competition brings out the best in everybody.”
McCormick will look to make his receiver debut as the Utes kick off their season on Aug. 31 against North Dakota.
