Andy Ludwig Happy With Utah Offense Day One
Aug 3, 2022, 6:39 PM
(Photo courtesy of Utah Athletics)
(Photo courtesy of Utah Athletics)
SALT LAKE CITY- The vibe was positive talking with Utah offensive coordinator Andy Ludwig about his offense during the Utes’ first media availability of fall camp. While there are many, many practices to go before things really fire off in Gainesville on September 3rd, Ludwig was pleased with his side of the ball day one, largely due to the experience of the group.
Whitt saying today’s practice felt more like a day 9 or 10 practice as far as mental mistakes go. Coach Lud while pleased felt like there is still some work to do. #GoUtes
— Michelle Bodkin (@BodkinKSLsports) August 3, 2022
“A lot of those guys are in their fourth year in the same system, very few changes in the system over the past season,” Ludwig said. “Some tweaks and modifications, but nothing these guys haven’t been exposed to. You just have to be careful about putting so much trust that you skip fundamentals.”
Offensive Evolution
Right now for coach Ludwig and the Utes offense it isn’t so much about coming up with something new and spectacular as it is about evolving what they have already been doing well. Ludwig said after practice that because of having a very experienced group to work with, the focus is on adding small things to what they have already been doing that focuses on his player’s strengths rather than completely starting over.
“There are plays designed to have little wrinkles,” Ludwig said. “Not new plays, but little wrinkles with player’s skill sets in mind whether it’s perimeter plays with wideouts, tight ends. We have new things for the running backs as well. We’ve been working in the same system with these guys for three or four years now.”
Looking At The Newcomers
While Utah has an embarrassment of riches on the offensive side of the ball that they are confident in, there are still some newcomers they are breaking in as well. What stuck out most to Ludwig about those guys in day one was their raw athleticism and length. Something Ludwig is surely taking tabs of and figuring out how best to use.
“We have a lot of athleticism and a lot of length,” Ludwig said. “We have some tall, long guys that can really run. Right now they are drinking water through a firehose just trying to get lined up much less running a route and things of that nature. I’m fired up about the young wide receiver corps.”
Oblock In Good Shape
One of the things that contributed to the Utes’ slow start in 2021 was poor offensive play. Utah’s coaching staff mentioned several times through the spring that their goal was to keep everyone healthier and have their main guys working together sooner than they did a season ago. It’s hard to get a full read on any kind of progress in that regard in just a day, but Ludwig seemed happy with the steps being taken and the talent available.
“Coach Harding will get the best five in the right spots,” Ludwig said. “I’m absolutely confident in that. All of those guys that we are counting on have played somewhat significant snaps to very significant snaps. We feel really good about the depth. The starting group will work itself out here.”
Could Utah Run o5 Personnel In 2022?
It is no secret the Utes are very talented and very deep at the tight end position. So much so, that half-jokingly Ludwig was asked about running a 05 personnel set in the spring and while he didn’t say “yes” he also didn’t say “no” either. Asked again this afternoon and Ludwig gave the same slightly devious, non-committal answer. Could this be one of the aforementioned “wrinkles” he referred to? Only time will tell.
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“There is a lot of multiplicity in the skill set of that room,” Ludwig said. “The thing about the tight end position at Utah is that it is such a high football intellect, they have the mental capacity to line up in a lot of different positions. We’ve never put five out on the field at the same time like they want to do, but never say never.”
