Weber State football ‘taking steps in the right direction’ as spring continues
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- Weber State receiver Haze Hadley (80) runs after catching a pass during a spring camp practice Friday, April 1, 2022, at Stewart Stadium in Ogden.
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- Members of the Weber State football defense take the field during a spring camp practice Friday, April 1, 2022, at Stewart Stadium in Ogden.
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- Weber State running back Kris Jackson (27) runs the football during a spring camp practice Friday, April 1, 2022, at Stewart Stadium in Ogden.
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- Weber State quarterback Bronson Barron (10) prepares to take a snap during a spring camp practice Friday, April 1, 2022, at Stewart Stadium in Ogden.
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- Weber State head football coach Jay Hill calls out directions during a spring camp practice Friday, April 1, 2022, at Stewart Stadium in Ogden.
OGDEN — Weber State football had its most extended scrimmage action in the ninth practice of spring camp Friday at Stewart Stadium.
Spring camp is an important proving ground for players in positions where there might not be a clear pecking order. Defensively, that’s basically everywhere but the cornerbacks group, the most experienced room on the defense.
“Everyone’s taking steps in the right direction at every position, and we need everyone to get better,” said Joe Dale, co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach. “That’s the facts right now.”
Defensive line depth and a solidified linebackers group are in progress. With Braxton Gunther still in the fold and Desmond Williams slowly returning from injury, the safety group has some experience but also needs more players to step all the way up.
“The biggest thing I want to see is who is willing to take the time to bury themselves in the playbook. We don’t have a different opponent each week … the playbook is set, the install is the install, so looking to see who is willing to dive into the playbook and master it while we have the opportunity right now,” Dale said. “In the season, you don’t get that luxury because it speeds up.”
Dale said senior Spencer Niutupuivaha and junior Winston Reid are the leaders at linebacker and gaining important experience, with youngsters Garrett Beck, Jayden Ah You, Jack Kelly and Alema Tupuola “all making plays and showing great progress. It’s an exciting, young group,” he said. “It’s been fun watching them grow each practice as well and I like what I see from them.”
Naseme Colvin, LJ Anderson and Jemaurri Bailey are vying for time at safety with Williams and Gunther. Kalisi Moli and Doug Schiess are the most experienced at defensive tackle, with Zeke Birch, Easton Payne and KJ Pakofe in the mix.
McKade Mitton and Raoul Johnson are the lone seniors on the defensive line at the end spot, with Okiki Olorunfunmi and Jordan Strate putting in work as well.
It’s somewhat typical of Jay Hill’s time at Weber State that, while sometimes players quickly vault to early defensive playing time, most earn their stripes on special teams and in other spots and, when called upon to start, they’re usually ready.
“There are guys who maybe haven’t played all the reps but they’ve been around, they understand the concept of the defense, they understand the demand which we hold our guys to as far as effort and running to the ball, the physical mentality we approach the game with,” Dale said. “So we don’t have to teach effort, teach physicality or the mindset that’s necessary to play on our side of the ball. They already have a good grasp of that. It’s just helping them learn the playbook and play faster with that mentality.”
New offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Mickey Mental got his first extended scrimmage look at the guys on his side of the ball.
He says his four quarterbacks — Bronson Barron, Kylan Weisser, Creyton Cooper and Brian Harper — are doing well with new installs and each prepares as if they’re the starter.
“They come in ready to work. When you’ve got guys who … want to see each other succeed, it’s a special room when you’ve got a group of guys who care about the same thing — and it’s all about winning,” Mental said.
Mental said he’s encouraged by the skill and work of the offensive line and the deep tight ends group when it comes to the run game, which he pointed to as vital for his scheme’s success. Noah Atagi, Ethan Atagi, George Barrera and Jordan Lutui are the most experienced on the line, while tight ends Justin Malone, Hayden Meacham and Dallin Jamison have all been in the program since 2018.
A group of not-entirely experienced receivers has progressed faster than expected, Mental said, while crediting Ty MacPherson as the leader who has set the culture for that group.
Though pleased with all of the receivers so far, Jacob Sharp and Haze Hadley are two standouts in Mental’s eyes. Sharp has “upped his standard,” Mental said.
And Hadley, who may have an increased role from the slot receiver position based on how Mental’s offense works, has turned heads so far in camp.
“That guy is very dangerous in the slot and he’s done a tremendous job throughout camp of winning his one-on-ones,” Mental said.
In the end, the offense will continue to be a work in progress as Mental installs the fundamentals, evaluates the best players and, eventually, welcomes more new players in the summer and fall from the most recent recruiting class. He said he likes the diversity in personnel — like deep running back and tight end groups — that he’s working with.
“When you design an offense, you’ve got to fit players first and design the offense from there. You want the best 11 on the field for the majority of the game,” Mental said. “We’re blessed to have a lot of different personnel that are very good.”