Inside WR coach Logan Bradley ready for when WVU’s Matt Sieg plays offense
Inside WR coach Bradley ready for when Matt Sieg plays offense
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MORGANTOWN -- West Virginia two-way true freshman Matt Sieg has been focusing on defense so far this camp, like he did all spring. Rich Rodriguez said on National Signing Day that Sieg would play both ways for the Mountaineers, but so far, he's just learning safety.
"We thought from the start that our bigger need was at safety, and so he’s not done anything on offense,” Rodriguez said.
Sieg's been learning boundary and field safety, and he's made a couple of big plays already if you've watched the quick video clips WVU puts on social media. In his senior year, Sieg had 45 tackles and four interceptions. On two of his picks, he returned them for touchdowns.
But one of the reasons why Sieg chose WVU over schools like Virginia Tech, Notre Dame, Indiana, Pitt and Penn State was the opportunity to play offense alongside defense.
Sieg broke a lot of records on offense in high school. He was the first player in WPIAL history to register 5,000 yards rushing and 3,000 yards passing for his career at quarterback. Sieg led Fort Cherry to two WPIAL championships. His senior year, Sieg had 30 touchdowns and tallied 2,259 all-purpose yards. He's a dynamic playmaker with the ball in his hands.
Inside wide receiver coach Logan Bradley knows what Sieg is capable as an offensive weapon. Bradley has been dropping breadcrumbs down for Sieg to take a few reps on offense.
"I just saw him in the cafeteria, and I was like, 'Hey, let me know when you want to get like four reps in. I can teach you," Bradley said. "Matt Sieg can come in my room anytime he wants. I tell him that."
The extent of Sieg's use on offense wouldn't be insane. He wouldn't play entire drives, but he'd come in on a couple of plays and would most likely play in the slot. On signing day, Rodriguez talked about putting him on certain packages.
Whenever Rodriguez is asked about Sieg, it's just learning safety, which takes time, especially as a true freshman. That hasn't stopped Bradley from trying, and Sieg's taken reps on the JUGS machine by himself before practice to make sure his hands are all set for when he does play offense.
But Sieg hasn't played any offense this fall, so if he were to play offense a little, it'd be learning something entirely new. Bradley and outside wide receivers coach Ryan Garrett have kept their schemes and routes pretty simple, so it can be picked up quickly.
"Don't ever make it too difficult for the players," Bradley said. "They’ve got to go out there and play free and fast. We're not going to ask them to go learn 1,000 different things, right? I think he's a smart young man, so I think he can pick it up."
But what if Rodriguez goes to Bradley or Garrett in the middle of the season, we need a package for Sieg? Bradley's already been brainstorming ideas and packages to get Sieg the ball.
"I already in my head have what plays I know because being with coach Rod now for a year, and with his staff who know coach Rod and the way they think, I know exactly where we're gonna start off the base point," Bradley said. " I can get that done."
When the time is right, Sieg will play offense. That just might not be this year because he is a true freshman and is learning defensive coordinator Zac Alley's complex system, while also adjusting to the college speed. It's a whole lot different than playing against kids in high school. But if Bradley gets his way, it won't be too far in the distant future.
"I've been throwing little hints down," Bradley said. "In the spring and summer, we got together a little bit. I'm excited about him."