Devin Lloyd Prepares To Be ‘Next Man Up’ On First Day Of Utah Fall Camp
Aug 1, 2019, 12:20 PM | Updated: 1:53 pm
University of Utah linebacker Devin Lloyd during fall camp. (Photo courtesy of Utah Athletics)
(Photo courtesy of Utah Athletics)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The University of Utah took all of the preseason hype onto the practice field as they began fall camp.
The big story around the program on the first day of the three-week training camp was the departure of Manny Bowen.
The Penn State graduate transfer linebacker decided to stop playing football to pursue a career in business.
Moving On From Bowen
Right after Whittingham confirmed the departure, it was clear that they didn’t want to discuss the reason or any back story to the surprise exit of Bowen. The coaching staff was ready to move on.
“It is what it is,” Scalley said. “I can’t change what happened. We are moving on, bottom line. We wish him well, he is a good kid but we are moving on.”
Morgan Scalley addresses the Manny Bowen departure and how the team will move forward. Next man up mentality. #Utes pic.twitter.com/0qFJxVp1NE
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) August 1, 2019
Devin Lloyd Is Next Man Up
Redshirt sophomore Devin Lloyd was expected to get reps as a backup behind Bowen and Francis Bernard but now will step in and take over at mac linebacker.
“I am excited about Devin Lloyd,” Utah linebacker coach Colton Swan said. “I know both of those guys (Lloyd and Bernard) are huge talents. Devin Lloyd has a huge ceiling, he has real length, he is really strong, his body type is perfect, he is fast and he is a really willing kid. He is super bright, he is smart in the meeting room, smart on the field, really athletic, really talented. He is going to pick that rifle up and run with it.”
Utah LB coach Colton Swan talked about the departure of Manny Bowen. pic.twitter.com/UqZBiO11Ic
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) August 1, 2019
Like coach Swan, defensive coordinator Morgan Scalley is very high on Lloyd.
“He’s ready,” Scalley stated. “If he wasn’t ready, he wouldn’t have gotten reps last year. He did get limited reps last year but I said this in the spring that he was our most improved defender. So, he has earned those reps and we are excited to see what he does with them.”
Moss Building Confidence Back Up
After suffering a knee injury the week after the Arizona State game, Utah star running back Zack Moss is back on the practice field and is still getting back into game form.
“I am building my confidence back up,” Moss said after practice. “Today was a plus for me.”
Bringing in Andy Ludwig as the offensive coordinator, his style is a little bit slower compared to last year under Troy Taylor.
“It’s a little bit slower,” Moss mentioned. “Doing a lot of huddles and we are running the ball a lot more and knowing our identity in fall camp.”
Ludwig is building a plan that is based around Moss and that he is the key to the offensive success for the Utes.
“That’s the starting point of the offense,” Ludwig said. “The whole key is to keeping him fresh over the course of the game and the season.”
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