BYU Football has wrapped up its spring practices leading up to the inaugural Big 12 season. With a quarterback battle, the offense looks good, and a new defensive scheme is in place. The Cougars are looking to shock the world when they come out with some big wins this upcoming season.
BYU WR Keanu Hill (1) – Jaren Wilkey/BYU Photo
Offense
BYU has announced that Kedon Slovis will be the starting quarterback for the Cougars this fall. Cade Fennegan and Jake Retzlaff will fight for the backup position. Coach Roderick is happy with that battle and also is pleased with how Ryder Burton is coming alone right out of high school.
The running backs were looking good at the spring game and also looking fresh for another season this fall. We didn’t see Aidan Robbins or Sol-Jay Maiava Peters that day due to injuries. These won’t be long-term injuries, and should be ready to take the field for fall camp.
Is there anybody who can step up and replace Puka Nacua? The Cougars will have to use more than one this season to fill his shoes. Their best options will be Kody Epps, Chase Roberts, and Keanu Hill. Talmage Gunther is looking like a great option for the fourth wide receiver coming out of spring ball.
The Tight End room has been shaping up nicely over the last couple of years, with Isaac Rex and Masen Wake leading the way. Look for Mason Fakahua to have his role in the Cougar offense this fall as well. BYU also needs to use the tight ends for more than just blocking; these guys also have some good hands.
Let’s finish off the offense with the line. There are going to be some newcomers with the departure of the Barrington brothers, Blake Freeland and Joe Tukafua. Connor Pay and Kingsley Suamataia will be the returners for this line. Look for Weylin Lapuaho from Utah State to make his impact and be a great starter for the line this fall.
BYU quarterback Kedon Slovis (10) – Jaren Wilkey/BYU Photo
Defense
The Defense is looking new, sharp, and ready to fight this upcoming season with a new coaching staff and some transfers. These guys have brought in a whole new mentality and have been installing a new defensive scheme. This will be great for the Cougars as they move into the Big 12 era.
The Defensive line is looking strong and ready to attack the quarterback this upcoming season. There won’t be many new faces this fall on the line, so it won’t look different personnel-wise, but scheme and attacking the ball will be different.
The Linebackers this fall will be strong and healthy with the return of Max Tooley and Chaz Ah You. The return of these two is key to this new defense, and it won’t be hard to find a third to help back these two up, as many had a chance this spring to prove their worth. It will also be a good-looking position, as the Cougars got a big transfer from Utah State this past weekend.
Cornerbacks have had a few setbacks with transfers this offseason and after spring ball wrapped up, but they still should be ready for this upcoming season. Jakob Robinson is the returner here. Fans shouldn’t be too concerned though, considering the transfer from Weber State, who has played under a Jay Hill defense, is in the building.
Safeties are ready to attack this season with the most returners in the backfield for the defense. Malik Moore, Micah Harper, Ethan Slade, and Tanner Wall, to name a few who played for the Cougars last season at the Safety position.
Safety Ethan Slade and linebacker Kaika Kaufusi (94) battle offensive lineman Trevin Ostler (74) – Scott G Winterton/Deseret News
Special Teams
The Special Teams is also looking to a season with a new coach in Kelly Poppinga. Poppinga likes how the kicking battle is going. The Kickers struggled in some of the final practices to make field goals farther than 35 yards, so keep an eye on that. Also, look for some new returners in the backfield alongside Hobbs Nyberg.
