'Whole new vibe' as Utah State football begins spring camp

LOGAN — Fresh off one of the most successful seasons in Utah State history, there is "a whole new vibe," according to senior linebacker AJ Vongphachanh, as the team prepares for the 2022 season and Blake Anderson's second season.

For the first week of spring ball, Utah State had four two-hour practices held at Maverik Stadium. Open to the public, relatives of coaches and players, as well as die-hard supporters speckled the concrete steps on the west bleacher of the stadium — where the chairs have recently been ripped out — and watched the new vibe unfold on the field.

There's an element of "we've been here before," as returning players go through familiar drills and joke with their position coaches and teammates in the downtime.

Perhaps the desperation level of last offseason, where players were embarrassed by the previous season's results and wanted to reverse the narrative, isn't as prevalent. This isn't a 1-5 team; they are the Mountain West champions.

But that's not to be mistaken for complacency or grandiose because the determination level remains the same.

"You know, there were no expectations last year other than just coming out and working every day," Anderson said after Saturday's practice. "And although we want to stay laser-focused on just getting better every day, there's been a standard set."

"We're kind of the guys that need to be beat from around the conference," Vongphachanh added. "But you know, that's something that motivates the guys who are returning and the new guys who are stepping in."

Several returning players — such as Vongphachanh and linebacker Byron Vaughns on defense, and quarterback Logan Bonner and running back Calvin Tyler Jr. on offense — played pivotals roles in last year's 11-win season. They will be among the leaders of the upcoming season's squad looking to repeat the success.

But them alone won't be enough to fill the shoes left behind.

Three wide receivers who accounted for 3,328 reception yards and 31 touchdowns, as well as six defensive starters all graduated.

Without All American receiver Deven Thompkins, LA Bowl Defensive MVP Nick Heninger, or second team All MW linebacker Justin Rice, it isn't the same team that beat San Diego State by 33 points and finished nationally ranked.

The 2022 Aggies team will have to create their own path.

"We lost some very big personalities, both on the field and in the locker room, and really just the way they carry themselves on a daily basis," Anderson said. "That's not gonna be easy. …Guys gotta step in."

On Saturday, a handful of players showed signs of being new leaders on the field.

In the quarterback room, Bonner is out of spring ball with a knee injury he sustained during the bowl game against Oregon State. In his stead, three quarterbacks donned red jerseys and were given reps. Between junior Cooper Legas, sophomore Garrett Larson and Wyoming transfer and sophomore Levi Williasm, Legas looks the best.

Taking first team reps in the limited 11-on-11 plays, Legas threw a perfect ball to Kyle Van Leeuewen on a tightly covered crossing route then found Tyler Jr. on a wheel route for a large gain. Legas also had two precisely thrown deep balls to Van Leeuewen in a receiver versus defensive back drill.

"I've been pleased with what I've seen from him," Anderson said. "You could tell that he came out of the season with a lot of confidence because he played great in a bowl game."

Van Leeuewen and Brian Cobbs — a receiver transfer from Maryland — stood out the most among receivers. And the chatter is Cobbs stood out all week.

"He's gotten people's attention just because of how productive he's been just in a short time," receivers coach Kyle Cefalo said about Cobbs. "Great kid, hard worker, just very excited he's with us."

On the defensive side, defensive backs Ajani Carter and Andre Grayson had nice days, with Carter breaking up a pass in a one-on-one drill against Alabama transfer receiver Xavier Williams, and Grayson had one of the hardest hits of the day in 11-on-11 drills.

Inside linebacker MJ Tafisi, who transferred from Washington, is somebody both Vongphachanh and Anderson mentioned as a newcomer who stood out. In 11-on-11 drills, he looked deliberate and physical.

In the weeks to come, there will be plenty of opportunities for individuals to step up and become leaders. And upcoming spring scrimmages will provide larger sample sizes on how different guys can perform.

But for now, Utah State is just in the preliminary stages, trying to keep momentum from last year, while recognizing this year's squad of a team is its own — trying to keep the treasure on the ship, amid a changing of the tide.

"Honestly, I feels like we were just in Sofi (Stadium)," Vongphachanh said. "But, I mean, I'm happy to be back. … I'm super happy to be back and get this thing rolling."

Related topics