I sincerely hope he doesn’t play QB beyond an occasional change-up or trick play.
7 Likes
If he wants to give QB another try, it won’t be in Ludwig’s complicated pro-style offense, he won’t have a 50 page introduction to the Utah offense.
From what I could gather of Jason Beck’s offensive philosophy, it seemed to match personnel with scheme, ie, he’s flexible and can get the players he has into an effective scheme. Dampier at UNM wasn’t known as a great arm, but he was a really promising QB, with similar skills to Nate Johnson.
To be clear, I’m not suggesting either one is the next Lamar Jackson, but having that threat of making downfield defenders look silly on a QB run helps the throw game.
9 Likes
Regarding Nate Johnson coming back, I just realized that he might not be the first Ute football player to leave, play elsewhere, and then come back. Jaylen Dixon played for the Utes in 2018 and 2019 then left the team. He returned for 2021 and 2022. But I can’t recall if he played elsewhere in 2020 or just took the year off.
1 Like
He went into the portal but withdrew and came back, never went anywhere else. 2020 of course was the shortened season that didn’t even happen for a lot of schools and leagues.
2 Likes
Until recently, it would have been really hard to leave, play, and come back because you’d have to sit out a year. Now some kids are going to play for 4 teams in 5 years, using one year as a redshirt. Grad transfer doesn’t even matter anymore - it used to be that was the only way to play immediately. There are a few 5-star and 4-star QBs that are in the portal now that will join their 3rd school and have 3 years remaining. Bonkers.
4 Likes
If these players are now just going to be essentially pros, there needs to be a standard contract just like they’re professionals. If their NIL is more than twice tuition, fees, and books (for example), they should have to pay that themselves. Academic progress also has to be included or there should be financial penalties. Also, there should be some sort of financial consequence for breaking the contract and maybe non-compete clauses where you can’t play for a competitor (within the conference, on the schedule, etc.). That’s real life adulthood. Time to teach it.
This is obviously in my fantasy world, and has about as much chance of happening as a delivery of a new Porsche 911 to my driveway (including the cash to insure and maintain it), later today.
11 Likes
Also sitting out playoff/bowl games should result in a significant reduction in your pay
10 Likes
Hold back at least half of the money until the bowl game has been played.
8 Likes
What? You don’t think the mighty NCAA will step forward with a policy approving such guidelines?
6 Likes
I think we have done some nice things in the transfer portal. Off the top of my head, im a little concerned about depth on the interior of the defensive line and the linebacker unit, but perhaps I dont know enough about what is there/coming in.
5 Likes
I read somewhere that they’re expected to add some transfer DTs down the road, maybe after Spring. The nature of the position - particularly at Utah - is that there’s not nearly as much to pick up and they can easily get up to speed in the system. They’re focusing first on the pieces that take more effort to integrate.
7 Likes
I would be shocked if he ever plays a meaningful down at USC.
8 Likes
Farewell, Sam, we huardly knew ye.
11 Likes
His uncle is the qb coach at USC, so at best, he could get to backup to Maiava if he were to get injured. 2 years to play. They also signed 5-star Longstreet, flipping him from Texas A&M, so maybe Huard brings some experience at backup as the FR gets developed.
One could say he was huardly there.
I guess we can cancel the milk carton notices.
8 Likes
There’s a little Huard left in all of us. In fact you might say that all of us together made up Huard.
10 Likes
It’s funny because we had an actual QB named Tuttle (allegedly), who I’m pretty sure came to Utah just so we could make that joke.
7 Likes
I know. I miss Tuttle so bad I was inspired by Greg’s post to make the same joke about Huard. And MASH lines never get old!
2 Likes
I can’t be responsible for anybody’s gruntlement.
6 Likes