Getting timing down with quarterbacks has been a challenge for the Utes, after the COVID-19 pandemic canceled spring football after only three practices.
SALT LAKE CITY — Distance has been an issue as quarterbacks and receivers attempt to get in sync during the coronavirus pandemic.
After just three spring practices, Utah players headed home to be with family during the crisis. The scattering included quarterbacks competing to replace Tyler Huntley as the starter for the Utes.
Jake Bentley is back in South Carolina; Cam Rising is in California; leaving only Drew Lisk back in Utah. The receivers, meanwhile, have also resided in various places.
“It’s the time you get timing down,” said Britain Covey, who led the Utes in receptions in both 2015 and 2018. “So many routes are timing based that it’s kind of strange not to be able to do that right now.”
Covey knows the value, thereof, having worked with starters Travis Wilson and Huntley earlier in his career. Now comes a third one.
“There are certain things that are more difficult. It’s difficult because when it comes to routes you want it to be as second nature and instinctive as possible,” Covey said. “So that when you get in a game all you have to worry about is reading the defense rather than having to worry about the actual throw and catch. That’s why you do it so often in the summer.”
Covey added that it becomes basically like a reflex. And that, he said, is what is going to be the challenge when team gatherings resume — building up that muscle memory while at the same time learning the schemes and defensive reads.
“I think it’s going to be a struggle for a lot of people, not just the U., but a lot of teams in the country,” Covey continued. “The positive thing is we’re coming into the same offense. So we all have experience with that and we threw a lot in the spring and early winter.
