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SALT LAKE CITY - Spring has now come and gone for the Utah football program and its fans. What has the team and the supporters learned about the program since the thrilling bowl victory over Georgia Tech on New Years Eve? Well it's safe to say that not every question has been answered for the team, but I'd say it is safe to assume a pretty nice road map has been laid out before the 2012 Utes.
The first question going into the spring game was about Brian Johnson and what kind of offense he may deploy. If the spring was any preview of what may be in store it may be a very unpredictable, entertaining offensive side of the ball. Throughout practices this spring, people attending could see some really diverse play calling from Johnson.
With Johnson's offense, it was noticeable how many different sets were thrown at the defense. Within a couple series there was a power-I set, offset-I, two tight end set, spread triple option, five wide, and traditional spread sets - nothing predictable from his play calling.
We also saw right away that this offense could be a lot more aggressive. Wynn completed his first pass of the scrimmage for 30+ yards right off the bat, plus many more deep balls were flying throughout the game.
Johnson also showed that he can reign it back a little bit and call a more methodical drive. There was a period there in the first quarter when the offense was picking up five yard chunks with a combination of the running backs and play-action. I'd say that sequence was the Norm Chow influence that Johnson has added to the playbook.
It was interesting to compare two of the past three coordinators on Saturday, with Aaron Roderick calling plays for the white team and Brian Johnson handling the red team. Roderick was doing his usual swing pass, bubble screen, short game planning that too many fans thought got rather predictable near the end of the 2010 season. Comparing that to Johnson's more diverse, more aggressive play calling, it may have put some fans nerves to rest that Johnson was hired (on the other hand, fans will never be happy).
Ute fans got a better glimpse of the talent on the offensive side of the ball. Starting with quarterback, for the first time in over a year, Jordan Wynn was zipping the ball all over the field. We can't forget about the interceptions he threw, which were bad throws, but for the day he was really efficient and productive going 8-of-11 for 124 yards. He threw a beauty of a 50 yard touchdown pass to Dres Anderson, a throw many fans have been craving from Wynn since the 2009 Poinsettia Bowl. And don't forget the touchdown pass he threw to Wesley Tonga that got called back due to a holding penalty.
The guys behind him looked good too, notably true freshman Travis Wilson. Wilson's progress this spring was promising for the future. He was also efficient while staying in the pocket going 8-of-12 for 72 yards. Wilson has that traditional Pac-12 quarterback look. He stands tall in the pocket and delivers a nice strong pass. The future looks bright for that kid.
Skill positions look deeper than ever. At wide receiver there were the constant performers in DeVonte Christopher and Dres Anderson, but fans got a glimpse of other guys like Kenneth Scott, who had some of the best catches of the afternoon while claiming 69 yards.
Running back appears to be as deep as it has ever been. Four backs other than John White - who didn't play - had some nice carries, including Kelvin York, Jarrell Oliver, Lucky Radley, and Harvey Langi. Langi was the low man in yards with three carries for 15 yards. Each back however showed different things. Everything from power with Langi and York to shiftiness with Radley and Oliver. Early indications are that John White may get some opportunities for some breathers this fall with the guys behind him.
The one question mark is offensive line. Overall I'd say there are some concerns at the tackle position that should hopefully be addressed with the arrival of some signees in the fall. I just don't believe that the starters are on campus yet, there seemed to be some protection issues that would arise from time to time. With the success of this team riding on the health of Jordan Wynn, these new guys better come in ready to compete for a starting role in the fall.
Defense would be hard to gauge without Star playing most the spring, and the Krugers and Fakahafua not going much in the spring game.
One question that may have been answered was one of the starting linebacker positions. VJ Fehoko was all over the field Saturday. There was a period when the PA announcer called out his name for the play being made three or four consecutive times. He has a good feel for the ball and is always around it, similar to how Brian Blechen plays. He just lowers the boom on people.
Fans were treated to much more of a show this year than last for the spring game, plus the normal amount of sun burns that come along with it, myself included.
Fans got a chance to see the depth of this squad starting to round out to Pac-12 level - maybe not quite there yet in some positions, but it's getting close. In no way does spring determine success in the fall, but it was evident this spring that pieces are falling into place for a good season in 2012.
We still have a long way to go until kick off. And for football fans, that can't come soon enough.
Shane Roberts is a producer/writer for the U Fan Cast on TheUFanCast.com, a Utah-centric podcast that gives a voice to the fan. Twitter: @Shane_U_FanCast
