Why competition in the classroom during spring football was always important for the Utah State Aggies - Deseret News

LOGAN — Utah State suspended team activities for all sports, including practices on Thursday, March 12.

Included in that was spring football, which had barely begun for the Aggies, just days before on March 10.

“The health and safety of our student-athletes, fans, coaches and staff is our top priority,” the university said in a statement. “We will continue to monitor what has become a very fluid situation to determine our next steps.”

In theory, with the cancellation of practice, the singular focus of every football player shifted to the proverbial classroom. Study of game and practice film, not to mention playbooks, surely took on added importance as athletes seek to prepare for the 2020-21 season.

“The health and safety of our student-athletes, fans, coaches and staff is our top priority. We will continue to monitor what has become a very fluid situation to determine our next steps.” — USU statement

The thing is, it was that way for the Aggies even before COVID-19 reared its head. The classroom was always going to be as significant a part of spring football as time on the practice field itself. And performance in the classroom was always going to go a long way in determining which players would see the field come September.

“I think that is unique because that is part of the competition,” USU offensive coordinator Bodie Reeder explained. “I don’t think the competition is just on the field. It is in the classroom as well.”

The classroom carries so much importance for the Aggies this offseason for many reasons.

For one, there are new schemes on both offense and defense, schemes that players need to learn and grow comfortable with in a hurry.

On the defensive side of the ball, that means embracing a 3-4 defense to a much greater degree than last season, when USU relied heavily on a 4-3 defense. The change has taken some getting used to.

“The new guys have a long way to go,” co-defensive coordinator Frank Maile said. “There was different teaching from last year to this year. … We are talented, we are young, but we need to find out who we can depend on, both mentally and physically. To me, that is what spring ball is.”

On offense, USU is transitioning away from the breakneck pace of the last few seasons, to a more multiple type of offense.

Throw in what can be compared to learning a new language — “That is what I liken it to,” said Reeder — and there is a learning curve. And, the athletes who catch on quicker have an inside track to playing time come fall.

“The guys who can pick it up are probably going to get to play,” Reeder said. “Once you’ve lined up and can assign yourself, then comes the physical part. Then you have to do your job. But before that, the competition comes in the classroom.”

More than understanding new scheme changes, though, the youth of the team — out of 95 players, 54 are freshmen and sophomores — has made every opportunity for learning that much more important.

Enthusiasm is widespread, experience not as much.

“Their ability to functionally learn on their own, learn in a group setting and then learn in a team setting is vital to this team’s progress as we go through spring and prepare ourselves for the season,” head coach Gary Andersen said. “We have to continue to progress. That is the job of each individual, each coach and myself. If you lose on the pace, you are going to lose your spot and get passed. They all know that.”

So even as practice is canceled, you can be sure competition is ongoing at Utah State and it is coming in the classroom.

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Why competition in the classroom during spring football was always important for the Utah State Aggies - Deseret News
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