Zach Wilson Is Farther Ahead Than At Any Point In His BYU Career

PROVO, Utah – BYU sophomore quarterback Zach Wilson remains a big topic at the Cougars Fall Camp practices.  Through three days of camp, Wilson has made big plays but also had moments where he can improve.  But the second-year signal-caller has looked good in his return back to organized team practices.

BYU offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes was asked if Wilson’s absence in spring ball has caused him to be behind his teammates on offense and Grimes thought the opposite.

“He’s way ahead of where he’s been since any time I’ve been here,” said Jeff Grimes.  “What I said on Media Day was that I think he’ll be ahead for all the mental work he’s done. He’s so much further along in his overall knowledge of the game, knowledge of the offense, quickness in decision making, so I’ve been really impressed with what I’ve seen from him so far.”

Both Grimes and Wilson arrived at BYU at practically the same time.  The Saturday in December of 2017 when Jeff Grimes was being introduced as BYU’s newest offensive coordinator coincided with Wilson’s official visit as a recruit to Provo.

Grimes helped closed the deal on getting Wilson, a former Boise State commit, to ultimately sign with the Cougars.  So Grimes has seen the maturation of Wilson at BYU every step of the way in his young collegiate career.

Back in June at BYU’s Media Day, Grimes told me that he felt Wilson was a football junkie.  That relentless approach and preparation for the game of the football are what has allowed Wilson to step into fall camp this month and not miss a beat.

Being a football junkie, Wilson’s foundation as a quarterback has been in the film room.  Hours upon hours of studying film and finding ways to get better as a quarterback.  On Friday, after the conclusion of fall camp practice, Wilson was at the Student-Athlete Building till 10 p.m. studying film and bringing his teammates together to watch practice film with him.

Wilson will tell you that he feels he hasn’t accomplished anything yet as a quarterback, which is the right thing to say. Especially when you consider the Draper native has only faced one Power Five opponent in his young career.

But in less than four weeks, he will have an opportunity to prove that he has finally arrived.

Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for sports.ksl.com and host of the Cougar Tracks Podcast and Cougar Sports Saturday (Saturday from 12-3 pm) on KSL Newsradio. Follow him on Twitter: @Mitch_Harper.