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OGDEN — As the year comes to a close, here's a look back at the five biggest stories from Weber State athletics in 2018.
Big Sky Champions and FCS Playoff 2-seed
In 2018, Weber State further solidified itself as an FCS power, repeating as Big Sky champions and earning the No. 2 seed in the playoffs, where it ran into Maine’s buzzsaw. Coach Jay Hill led the Wildcats to 10 victories and their third-straight postseason berth, and 19 players were named to the Big Sky All-Conference team, including 13 to the first team.
For a time, it even seemed like fate that Weber, which held home-field advantage throughout the semifinals, would advance to its first-ever championship. But after a first-round bye and then a 27-7 win over Southeast Missouri State in the second round, Weber's title dreams came crashing down in the quarterfinals; Maine earned a 23-18 road victory at Stewart Stadium.
Hill, always rife with energy and passion, was crestfallen. But that didn’t stop him from labeling 2018 as an undeniable success.
Jay Hill, a Division I head coaching candidate
For the first time since arriving in Ogden in 2013, as a largely unknown and undeveloped commodity, Hill is a legitimate Division I head coaching candidate.
Look no further than this offseason when his name was linked to the once-vacant Utah State job, which opened when Matt Wells fled for new digs in Lubbock, Texas. Though the job eventually went to his comrade in Gary Andersen, Hill, according to multiple reports, was considered as a replacement for the outgoing Wells.
Internally, it appears that Weber State is preparing to hear Hill’s name mentioned more often going forward. Jerry Bovee, the school's athletic director, hinted at this in speaking toThe Salt Lake Tribune earlier this month, saying, “I think it’s always hard to keep really good coaches at our level because there will be opportunities.” He later added, “His name is going to come up. That’s just the way it is.”
Through five seasons, Hill, 43, has compiled a 36-26 record, won two conference titles and led the Wildcats to three consecutive postseason appearances. He is under contract with Weber through 2023. Additionally, he is the highest-paid Big Sky coach, with a base salary of $185,000 and an annual bonus of $90,000.
Josh Davis, National Freshman of the Year
He may have run out of gas in the playoffs, but there’s no denying the Alta High product was the biggest factor for Weber State this season. As part of a new-look offense, Davis set a freshman record for the program in rushing yards (1,362) en route to being named the National Freshman Of The Year and the recipient of the Jerry Rice Award.
“This is such a prestigious honor for Josh and for Weber State football,” Hill said in a press release. “He worked so hard this year and took on such a load for us and was an absolute warrior for us this season. He had an incredible freshman year and has a very, very bright future.”
A big-play running back, Davis delivered touchdown runs of 95, 60, 45, 44, 29 and 25 yards, as well as a 75-yard punt return for a touchdown. He also finished with 30 receptions for 193 yards.
Taron Johnson a fourth-round draft pick to rookie standout
In April, I wrote about Weber’s longstanding shutout from the NFL Draft, which, at the time, was on its seventh year, dating back to when Tim Toone was drafted in 2010.
And then, Taron Johnson happened.
Following Johnson’s impressive senior season, in which he recorded three interceptions, nine pass breakups and 49 tackles, the Wildcats saw their streak of futility end, as the Buffalo Bills selected the 5-foot-11, 192-pound product with the 121st pick of the 2018 NFL Draft.
In his rookie season, Johnson went on to register 42 tackles, one interception and one forced fumble as part of a defense that, at the time of his season-ending shoulder surgery, ranked third in Football Outsiders’ DVOA.
"You notice it; you feel him out there. For a young player to have made that type of presence known from that nickel position is huge for our defense,” Bills head coach Sean McDermott said of Johnson in October. “He wants it, and I’ve been very pleased with his progress to this point."
In November, Pro Football Focus called the rookie a “top NFL cornerback” flying under the radar, writing that Johnson “deserves to be talked about like one of the stud corners in the league for his play this season” and has “shown a penchant for making game-changing plays while limiting the big plays for opposing offenses.” Currently, the site has him as the league’s 42nd highest-graded cornerback.
Not bad for a fourth-round pick.
Brekkott Chapman as a two-way player
The basketball season is young, but that shouldn’t diminish the two-way impact Brekkott Chapman’s had on games so far. Consider: Through 11 games, the Roy native is one of just two players in the country to average at least one steal, two blocks and shoot above 40 percent from deep (minimum 10 attempts). So, impressive. Notably, he is also the Big Sky’s best rim-protector, as he leads the conference in blocks (23) — and by some distance.
By the numbers, Chapman is arguably Weber’s most important player this season, with his sweet-shooting and defensive versatility key to the team’s success; but his contributions also go beyond the stat sheet. Watch a Weber State game and you’ll see the senior set screens, run hard in transition, space the floor, make the extra pass and defend multiple positions. Or, as teammate Jerrick Harding likes to say, do “the little things.”
“Even if he’s not scoring, he’s rebounding, blocking shots, he’s playing great defense,” Harding said. “It’s amazing to play with him.” Follow Dillon on Twitter @dillondanderson.
