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LOGAN — I know it's hard to believe, but fall camp is finally here! The wait is over!
This week on ksl.com we are looking at the three most three most pressing needs heading into fall camp. I have mentioned in past articles that Utah State doesn't have a lot of questions heading into the 2013 season, however, there are a couple that need to answered before the Aggies head to Rice-Eccles Stadium at the end of the month.
Who is the Number One Receiver?
Utah State was lucky enough to have two, No. 1 caliber receivers in 2012 with Matt Austin and Chuck Jacobs; both have left to the NFL and USU is still looking for someone to step up and take the mantle of the "go-to guy."
Travis Reynolds and Travis Van Leeuwen are the most likely to be the guy. The two seniors have 66 games experience between them, and both are listed at the top of the depth chart heading into camp. Alex Wheat Jr. is entering his second season with the Aggies after transferring from Palomar Junior College. He showed flashes in spring as a playmaker.
Don't rule out the young guys either. Sophomore JoJo Natson played in 12 games as a true freshman, and while his size — 5-foot-7 and 151 pounds — doesn't suggest a No. 1 type of guy, he showed flashes of playmaking ability that kept him on the field in 2012.
Sophomore Brandon Swindall only caught three passes in 2012, but looked great in spring and is rapidly becoming a favorite target for USU quarterbacks.
Ronald Butler is the dark horse of the group. As a junior college transfer from Contra Costa College he caught a school record 13 touchdowns in 2012 and was named the MVP of the Living Breath Foundation Bowl. If Butler brings that kind of playmaking to fall camp, Chuckie Keeton might start to zero in on him a little more.
Who will start opposite Nevin Lawson?
Utah State lost a dynamic cornerback when Will Davis was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the third round of the NFL Draft. But they also lost Terrence Alston and Jumanne Robertson as well. And while they have a great corner returning in Nevin Lawson, the player who'll line up opposite him is still a bit of a mystery.
Tay Glover-Wright took most of the reps in spring and looked great doing it. He has great athleticism and is able to stay with receivers in man coverage. He's listed as a starter on the depth chart heading into fall.
Marwin Evans is a junior college transfer from Highland Community College and is described by head coach Matt Wells as having "cornerback skills in a safety body." Evans has great footwork and is a very physical tackler. He has a very good chance to take over as the starting corner with Lawson
Who will be calling the plays come August 29th?
When Wells was named head coach, we all wondered if he would continue play calling for the offense. He brought in Kevin McGiven as the offensive coordinator and we thought he might be calling the plays.
Then, Luke Wells was brought in as the co-offensive coordinator and we thought maybe he would be calling the plays.
We got through spring camp and found out that all three were taking turns calling plays. Whenever Wells was asked about it, he would never give a definitive answer. Now, with number 16 on the field, it doesn't make much difference who is calling the plays, but there does need to be consistency. Whether it's Matt Wells, Luke Wells or McGiven, one of them needs to be named the play caller.
