Meet AJ Smith: Colorado's new offensive tech guru

Former UFL offensive coordinator, AJ Smith, uses his experience and tech to develop Colorado quarterbacks. (Photo via 247Sports)

The Colorado quarterback room has a new face behind the scenes. 

After spring ball, AJ Smith joined the Buffaloes' coaching staff as an offensive analyst, bringing a cutting-edge approach to Boulder. 

“Hundreds of teams use virtual reality as a tool, but they don’t know how to use it,” Smith said on Monday. 

Smith has called plays since he was 21, citing his work innovating technology as a graduate assistant at SMU as the basis for his approach.

“Our backups [QBs] can now use headsets to see the number one’s perspective on offense,” Smith said. “ Even though they don’t get those reps at practice, they need that perspective to be one play away from being ready.” 

At quarterback, Colorado’s depth chart after fall camp is shaping up with Julian Lewis as the starter, transfer Isaac Wilson as his backup and freshman Kaneal Sweetwyne the third string. Smith said he’s measuring the quarterbacks’ progression on data factors that aren’t a play’s final yardage result. 

“If a wide receiver broke a hitch route for 80 yards, is that really on the quarterback?” Smith said. “We want to look at release times and spots on the field and address what the data is showing. Then we can correct them, coach them, and drill them.”

Smith spent time at the UFL professional level calling plays and said some of his inspiration came from battling against famed coach Wade Phillips. 

“Wade always said that when a quarterback like Tom Brady or Peyton Manning would make the perfect pass, there's no defense I could come up with. So that's what made me say I'm going to be a passing coach because he can draw up any defense to stop a run.”

Smith also highlighted how football technology has evolved for quarterbacks over the past decade.  

“Every play, they're looking at [VR technology], and then we'll speed it up to 1.2 times, which is flying. Did you go through your progression that fast? They're like, ‘Yes,’” Smith said. “All right, put it back down to one. We just made real life slow and can do pattern recognition and cognitive training with their brains that translates to the field.” 

And even though a lot of chatter has been made about offensive coordinator Brennan Marrion’s “Go-Go” scheme, Smith emphasized why he believes player personnel plays a bigger role. 

“I don't know what scheme I'm into anymore,” Smith said. “I am into personnel, and fitting it around the players you have more than banging my hat on what scheme I run.” 

Smith's name likely won't be mentioned on TV broadcasts or recognized by fans. But he will be the one deciding, with the help of technology, whether Colorado's quarterbacks are ready before they ever take a snap.