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The Lowdown: 2020 Wide Receivers

by Utah Athletics
Oct 29, 2020

Throughout fall camp, UtahUtes.com will feature "The Lowdown" on each position group on the field.

THE LOWDOWN
Of the 1,942 yards the wide receivers accounted for in 2019, 70-percent of that production (1,369) will return for the 2020 season. The Utes return size and speed at the wide receiver position in 2020 and offer a host of appealing targets for Utah's new starting quarterback.

HEADLINERS RETURNING
Two of Utah's top returning receivers are coming off injuries the last two seasons with juniors Bryan Thompson and Britain Covey excited to return to the field. Thompson was Utah's leading receiver in 2019 with nine starts and 461 yards (3 TDs) while All-Pac-12 return specialist Covey saw action in four games before deciding to take a redshirt. The Utes also have several receivers looking to have breakout seasons in 2020, including junior Solomon Enis and Utah's top touchdown target among receivers in 2019, senior Samson Nacua.
 

NEWCOMER SPOTLIGHT
Redshirt freshman and walk-on Devaughn Vele had a strong spring camp in 2019, showing off his length at 6-4 with acrobatic catches, earning playing time in four games while returning from an injury sustained in fall camp. The Utes will also have a true freshman competing for playing time in 2020 in Money Parks. Parks' speed is evident in his stats with over 1,000 receiving yards as a senior at Aledo HS.

WIDE RECEIVER PRE-CAMP DEPTH CHART

WR Athlete GP/GS
1 Bryan Thompson (6-2, 207, Jr.) 28/10
45 Samson Nacua (6-3, 195, Sr.) 40/8
WR Athlete GP/GS
21 Solomon Enis (6-3, 208, Jr.) 28/4
17 Devaughn Vele (6-4, 205, R-Fr.) 4/1
WR Athlete GP/GS
18 Britain Covey (5-8, 172, Jr.) 29/15

COACH KYLE WHITTINGHAM SAYS
"This wide receiver corps is as talented and deep as any we have had here. We're expecting this group to be a key part of our offense as we transition to a new starting quarterback, while also replacing an All-America running back. Britain Covey being back at full strength is a big boost to our offense, and there is talent across the board with Bryan Thompson, Solomon Enis, Samson Nacua and Jaylen Dixon each having significant playing time in our program."

QUICK HITS ON UTAH'S WIDE RECEIVERS

1 :: Bryan Thompson :: JR :: Moreno Valley, Calif.
Has seen action in 28 career games as a Ute, starting 10 … leading receiver in yards in 2019 with 461 on 18 catches (3 TD) … played in 12 games in 2019 with nine starts, averaging 25.6 yards per catch … had two 100-yard receiving games last season against Washington State (111 yds) and Idaho State (105) … his career-high 111 receiving yards against WSU was on a career high four receptions (27.7 ypc) … 82-yard receiving TD against Idaho State ranks as the 10th longest catch in school history.  
 

17 :: Devaughn Vele :: R-FR :: San Diego, Calif.
Walk-on joined the team in the spring of 2019, having a strong spring camp before redshirting in 2019 … played in four games during his redshirt year, starting at wide receiver against Colorado … has had a standout fall camp in 2020 … was all-league at Rancho Bernardo HS, finishing his senior year with 52 receptions for 980 yards (18.8 ypc) and 11 TDs.

18 :: Britain Covey :: JR :: Provo, Utah
Has played in 29 career games as a Ute with 15 starts … leading receiver in 2015 and 2018, earning Freshman All-America honors in 2015 … two-time AllPac-12 returner, earning first-team in 2018 … swiss-army knife on the field, racking up 2,332 career all-purpose yards (198 rush, 1,233 rec., 536 PR, 365 KR), also going 3-for-3 passing for 71 yards and two touchdowns … ranks in the top-10 all-time at Utah in career punt return yards and career punt returns.

21 :: Solomon Enis :: JR :: Phoenix, Ariz.
Has played in 28 career games with four starts during his time as a Ute … played in all 14 games in 2019 with two starts, recording 14 catches for 158 yards (11.3 ypc) … career-high 62 yards on three catches against Washington State last year which included a career-long 41-yard reception … recorded 179 yards on 13 catches in 2018, including a 27-yard touchdown reception against BYU.
 

45 :: Samson Nacua :: SR :: Provo, Utah
Started his career as a walk-on and has played in 40 career games with eight starts … led the Utes in receiving touchdowns in 2019 with four, recording 18 catches for 330 yards (18.3 ypc) … career-high 90 receiving yards on five catches came against Washington State, adding a 52-yard touchdown … 83-yard touchdown catch against UCLA is the ninth-longest catch in school history … also had a 57-yard touchdown catch against USC in 2018, and a career-high eight receptions against Washington that year.
 

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