For Utah Quarterback Isaac Wilson, It’s About Attacking The Learning Curve
Sep 17, 2024, 11:47 AM | Updated: 1:13 pm
LOGAN, UT - SEPTEMBER 14: Isaac Wilson #11 of the Utah Utes, drops back in the pocket against the Utah State Aggies during the first half of their game at Maverik Stadium on September 14, 2024 in Logan, Utah. (Photo by Chris Gardner/Getty Images)
(Photo by Chris Gardner/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – It was the first start of his career- one that only spans three games, but quarterback Isaac Wilson provided one impressive display. The impact of his performance is significant, both in the short and long-term future of Utah Football.
In leading the Utes to a 38-21 win over Utah State, Wilson provided clarity. That being Utah’s quarterback room is in a drastically different place than it was last year.
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Optimism levels are much higher around Utah’s quarterback position following the game. For Wilson though, the work has only just begun.
It’s about attacking the learning curve for freshman quarterback Isaac Wilson
“He just needs to continue to gain command of the offense,” Kyle Whittingham said of what needs to happen in Wilson’s progression. “Coach Ludwig’s offense is not the easiest offense to learn but once you get it, it’s very effective.”
Star quarterback Cam Rising just about hit the ground running in Ludwig’s offense. An injury against USC in 2020 cuts that notion short but even in 2021, the noticeable difference in the offense was drastic with Rising on the field.
There were a few really interesting insights from Whitt’s press conference this week. #GoUtes https://t.co/gF9nlzVxLL
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“You’ve got to be a geek in this offense, a real football nerd,” Cam Rising said of what allowed him to do that. “Always trying to study, always trying to learn something new that can give you the answers to the test.”
The improvement Wilson made from the first two weeks compared to week three was noticeable. He was 11-of-20 passes for 104 yards, 1 touchdown, and 2 interceptions combined against SUU and Baylor. Yet, finished 20-of-33 for 239 yards, 3 touchdowns to just 1 interception against Utah State.
“I think he’s doing a great job,” Rising said. “We watched some film together and I think that helped him. He just played with a lot of confidence out there.”
Whittingham feels the same way and has seen the progress that Wilson has made to this point.
“He’s continuing to attack whatever the learning curve is and just becoming more comfortable with his reads,” Whittingham said. “There’s a lot of checks, not only in the throw game but in the run game- and he’s just continuing to get better and better at that.”
Utah’s freshman quarterback wants to be viewed as a veteran mind
“Still feeling pretty good but it’s in the past now, we got to keep moving forward,” Wilson said of his performance on Saturday. “I felt I did good on some parts, definitely a little too many incompletions, but still room to improve.”
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After reviewing the film, Wilson feels he can remove some of the dangerous throws he made. A part of that is adjusting to the speed of the game at this level.
“Taking away the dangerous throws, I felt I had a couple in the game,” he shared. “(College) is a lot faster, I felt like I was clicking with the receivers throughout the whole game. I had a few balls that were a little too much steam on them, a little too high, and need to control those better.”
Though he’s just a true freshman, Wilson appears determined to get past the connotations of that. He understands that the mental side of the game is rather valuable and he seems to be putting in the time to make the strides he needs to.
“I want to be seen as a veteran mind, I don’t want to be seen as a ‘oh he’s just a freshman'” Wilson described. “I want to get out of that as soon as possible and be seen as a veteran mind if that makes sense.”
Utah Football Schedule
Kyle Whittingham’s Utah program hits the road for their first conference game in a big matchup with Oklahoma State. You can find Utah football’s conference schedule here.
