SALT LAKE CITY — In 2017, the University of Utah did something almost unheard of in college football as they replaced a senior quarterback, a team captain, in Troy Williams for an unproven but athletic Tyler Huntley.
Williams was coming off a nine-win season when Huntley, a sophomore and former Florida Gatorade Player of the Year, won the job. His skillset better matched the needs of new offensive coordinator Troy Taylor's system.
In all likelihood, it cost the Utes some games last season. Huntley’s inexperience and more reckless style of play led Utah to a season of inconsistency, beating up on lesser opponents early in the season before an injury cost him a chance at a fully-developed first season.