Jaylon Glover Finds Familiarity With Football Far From Home
Apr 21, 2022, 11:21 AM
(Photo courtesy of Trevor Allen, sports.ksl.com)
(Photo courtesy of Trevor Allen, sports.ksl.com)
SALT LAKE CITY- Utah is a long way from Florida, but freshman running back Jaylon Glover has been adjusting well. The 2021 Florida Gatorade Player of the Year has been a standout in spring ball for the Utes even though he could still be in high school. Glover says having football has made the transition to living alone easier and is looking forward to showing fans what he can do on the field during the spring game Saturday.
It’s crazy to think @officiallyyjay1 could still be in high school right now with how much his name has been called this spring. He says being away from home has been an adjustment, but football has been the easy part to pickup. #GoUtes pic.twitter.com/dtTwfxVI3J
— Michelle Bodkin (@BodkinKSLsports) April 21, 2022
It’s All In The Details
Part of what separates the great players and teams from the average ones is the attention to detail. One of Utah’s big focuses this spring has been on football fundamentals and Glover says everyone has bought in.
“I think everyone is paying attention to details,” Glover said. “Like coach Whitt said, it’s a big key to football. You stick to the fundamentals and you are going to win games. If we keep capitalizing and doing those things I think we will be in good position come fall.”
While Glover comes to the Utes with elite talent, it doesn’t mean he isn’t learning or adapting to new things. Glover has been taking his new environment in stride and familiarizing himself with the speed and knowledge of the game that’s expected at the collegiate level.
“Paying attention to details in alignment and assignment-especially coming to the collegiate level,” Glover said. “The little things matter the most. Coming from high school you just go off of pure talent, but here you have to do the little things because you’ve got to time it up with your offensive line and all the things that come into play.”
Spring Game Show-Out
Glover is excited to show fans on Saturday what he brings to the table for the Utes. With any luck, it’ll be just a little taste of what the fall could bring.
“I want to show everyone what I can do,” Glover said. “How I’ve developed through the spring and just have fun. That’s what I think the spring game is for is to showcase what you’ve done through the spring, fly around and have a good day.”
New running backs coach Quinton Ganther has been a help to Glover in his development by “keeping it real”. Ganther made it known early he pulls no punches when it comes to his expectations of the group, and Glover is fully bought in.
“Coach has been real,” Glover said. “Coach has been very influential in everything that I’ve done. Coach Q is going to push me, he’s going to tell me when I do good. He’s going to tell me what I did wrong. Especially with us learning the system together-we continue to be tight and I stay in his office trying to learn as he’s learning. We’re learning together and I really appreciate everything he’s done for me thus far.”
