Linebacker Cody Barton 'confident' and ready for breakout season

SALT LAKE CITY — Utah linebacker Cody Barton goes toe-to-toe with teammate RJ Hubert at a recent practice as the two violently push each other around on a special teams drill for dominance. A whistle blows, signifying a stop to the drill, and Barton gets in his opponent’s face and tells him that it was the worst attempt he’s ever seen.

Without missing a beat, Barton lets out a loud laugh in his usual joking manner and gives Hubert a side hug as the two walk back to the line of scrimmage. No harm, no foul — just fun.

Later in practice, junior quarterback Tyler Huntley stumbles on a read downfield and throws an ill-conceived pass that is deflected and nearly picked off. On the next down,…