5 things we learned from spring
Utah State spring football started off with a lot of questions. However, over the last month or so of play from the Aggies, a handful at least appear to be answered. Here are five things we learned from spring football.
1. The Aggies need Chuckie.
The play from the quarterbacks was underwhelming overall. While Darell Garretson and Craig Harrison did not do anything wrong for the most part, they also did not do anything spectacular; at least, nothing to cause serious speculation about a potential quarterback battle in the fall.
“I think Darell made some good development. There is still work to be done footwork-wise, transferring everything down from your feet to your arm fast and how to process it. We mentioned it’s a fast game out there right now,” said head coach Matt Wells. “Darell has done a better job; still work to be done, slowing it down in his mind.”
Wells was equally uncertain about Harrison.
“Some days he’s excellent, and some days he’s not up to par,” Wells said. “He knows that, and I know that.”
Either way, neither the quarterback exhibited the playmaking ability that Keeton often did in the past three seasons.
2. Whoever is at quarterback will have a lot of weapons.
Some of the classic offensive weapons looked in midseason form while other new potential targets burst onto the scene, starting with the running backs. By the time the Tennessee game rolls around, Joe Hill will be back from his knee injury. However, junior Rashad Hall has filled in nicely as a back who can both pound the ball up the middle and hurt defenses on the perimeter. Sophomore Kennedy Williams also proved he could extend plays and create problems for defenses, especially when he gets in space.
“I thought the running backs stood out a little bit today,” said Wells after the spring game. “It was good to see Rashad Hall and Kennedy Williams get downhill. They did some really nice things out on the perimeter.”
Meanwhile, the receivers also appear ready to make whoever is throwing the ball look good. Junior Jojo Natson needs only for the season to start to show off his athleticism, senior Ronald Butler has developed into a viable third option and freshman Damoun Patterson burst onto the scene this spring and worked his way up to playing with the first team. However, the greatest standout from the receiving corp in the spring was junior Brandon Swindall, who asserted himself as the leader of the staff with stellar and consistent production.
“Brandon Swindall continues to play well,” Wells said. “I’m happy with him.”
3. The offensive line is going to be all right …
The offensive line lost four starters from last season due to graduation. Only senior Kevin Whimpey remains at tackle, who will provide leadership. However, guards Bill Vauvau and Taani Fisilau have both all-but solidified starting roles. Meanwhile, the competition is not closed on the other tackle position and center position, but Wells has been relatively pleased with those stepping in.
“Both guards have done a good job, Taani Fisilau and Bil Vauvau. Jake Simonich at right tackle has done a really nice job. Kevin is the leader of the bunch. He’s the two-year starter, so they’ve been good,” Wells said. “Their biggest thing is they need to continue to communicate. The more experience they get, the more confident they’ll get.”
However the Aggies could be in a lot worse shape going from one of the more experienced lines in the nations a year ago to one of the least experienced next season.
4. … and so will the defensive backfield.
If there was a weak link in the defense last season, it was in defending the deep ball. Corner Rashad Stewart is back for his senior season, and the Aggies received a talented transfer corner from Tennessee with Daniel Gray. Couple that with the apparent emergence of playmaking safety Devin Centers, and the backfield appears in good standing.
“He’s around the ball and he’s in the right place at the right time. Coach (Todd) Orlando is playing him in a bunch of different positions. He’s going to be a really good player for us on defense,” Wells said. “The big thing is that he’s playing with such confidence. You can just see it by the way he carries himself. A lot of that started with special teams last year.”
5. The administration is already a believer in Wells.
After just one season as head coach, Wells received a contract extension through 2018 and a pay raise, bringing his salary to more than $800,000 per year.
“Matt had a great first year leading our football program. His commitment to our student-athletes has been tremendous, and they’ve responded with great results in the classroom and on the field,” said Scott Barnes, USU Athletics director. “Matt has deep roots here as a former Aggie quarterback, and he conveys his passion for our great university on a daily basis.”
Wells sees his roots as less of a talking point, however.
“We’ve had great positive feedback, you know, an extra year on the contract. I think it shows great support from Scott Barnes and President Albrecht,” he said. “They like seeing me here because I’m an alumni, but that doesn’t win games. This alumni better win games.”
However, it is worth noting that former Utah State head coach Gary Anderson also received an extension early on in his tenure with the Aggies and did not stay long enough to finish that extension.
– Dahdahjm@gmail.com
@dahdahUSU