PROVO -- This spring season marks not only the first chance to get a look at the early development of the 2005 team but also the first chance to see Bronco Mendenhall in action as the head coach of the BYU football program. Promoted in December after serving the previous two seasons as the defensive coordinator, there should be no surprises.
Mendenhall takes over a team that returns 43 letterwinners. He's heading in a new direction and hopes to re-establish BYU's winning tradition. With seven offensive and six defensive starters returning, he said he feels great about the team, and thinks it is ready to take on that challenge
"The team will work with one specific purpose and be unified in that purpose to represent BYU football the way it is supposed to be represented," he said. "I feel great about this group, in terms of the character that they'll bring to this football team. These young men are all hard workers. They are committed to excellence, and passionate about representing BYU."
Shortly after being named the 14th head coach at BYU, Mendenhall went to work on assembling his staff. On the same day he was named head coach, Robert Anae was introduced as the Cougars' new offensive coordinator. Shortly after, former standout and NFL quarterback Brandon Doman was selected as the quarterbacks coach. In early February, Mendenhall completed his staff with the addition of receivers coach Patrick Higgins.
Mendenhall said he is very confident in his new coaching staff.
"Our Staff has been reorganized, in my opinion, to become one of the best in the country," he said.
Mendenhall said he believes in effort and discipline, and that will be the focus for he and his staff. He said every player on the team will be competing for a position during Spring Camp.
"There is an initial depth chart to start practice, but every position is open," he said.
As they get started, Mendenhall said the team goal is to establish one mindset, one expectation and one work ethic.
Defensive Line:
Depth and experience are two factors that will make the defensive line a solid anchor for the defense. This year's defensive front will be led by returning starter, junior Mania Brown. Last season Brown recorded 26 tackles and 4.5 sacks. Vince Feula and Daniel Marquardt, who both shared starting time at nose guard last season, bring experience and depth to the line. Marquardt and Feula combined for 40 tackles last season, including three sacks.
Michael Marquardt, Justin Carlson-Maddux and Judd Anderton also add experience to the line. Junior Hala Paongo, who saw action in all 11 games last season, including the starting assignment during the first three games of the season, will also figure into the mix. However, Paongo will see limited action during Spring Camp while recovering from an injury.
Because of their experience, Mendenhall said he expects the defensive line will be one of the team's strengths, and will play an important leadership role.
Linebacker:
One primary objective at linebacker is to find a replacement for all-conference linebacker Brady Poppinga--a difficult task. But, with the likes of Cameron Jensen anchoring the linebacking corps, he the Cougars won't have to look far to find a player with the ability to pick up where Poppinga left off.
Jensen started all 11 games at middle linebacker last season, and is expected to enter Spring Camp as the man to beat. Jensen led the Cougars last season with 103 tackles, including 49 solo tackles.
Aaron Wagner, a junior transfer from Washington State, will compete for the starting job at left-side linebacker along with redshirt freshman Richard Nehring. Markell Staffieri, who started the first two games of the season at right-side linebacker returns and will compete against Gary Lovely for the starting job.
Other players who will figure into the mix include Dan Bates, Justin Williams, Jayson Clark. After starting five games last season, Justin Leuttgerodt will miss Spring Camp due to a knee injury suffered at the conclusion of the 2004 season. The senior linebacker is expected to compete for a starting job during Fall Camp. Along with Leuttgerodt, transfer Kelly Poppinga, will miss Spring Camp due to injury. Poppinga will have to sit out the 2005 season after transferring from Utah State.
Bryan Kehl will also return from a Church mission later this spring and will look to add depth during Fall Camp.
"We have good depth at linebacker. I think the linebackers will be our most athletic position," Mendenhall said.
Safety:
In the 3-3-5 defense, the safeties find themselves with a variety of chores. This season Spencer White comes in with the most experience. Last season he played in all 11 games, recording 50 tackles, two sacks, and two interceptions. Dustin Gabriel also saw playing time in 11 games last season and posted one interception. White is listed as the starter at the left katback position, while Gabriel will look to replace Aaron Francisco at the Cougarback position. Sophomore K.C. Bills will look to secure the right katback position, but will be challenged by redshirt freshman Quinn Gooch.
Mendenhall said the safety position does lack experience, but will have exceptional athletes and will look to new players to add potential depth.
Other players expected to compete for playing time include sophomore David Tafuna and sophomore Adam Nelson.
Cornerback:
Much like the safeties, the cornerback position also lacks experienced and is relatively unproven. Although, senior Nate Solberg is a returning starter, the Cougars lost both Brandon Heaney and Micah Alba to graduation. Solberg racked up 41 tackles and one interception last season. Kayle Buchanon, who is listed as the starter entering Spring Camp, also saw significant time last season, playing in 11 games as a redshirt freshman.
Senior O'Neil Howell and Chris Hale, who switched from receiver during the off-season, are also listed on the pre-Spring depth chart. Both will compete for the starting position.
Mendenhall said, this off-season they recruited specifically to help the secondary, and some of they new players will be fighting for playing time.
Quarterback:
The first thing Mendenhall points out when talking about his quarterbacks, like every other position on the team, it is up for grabs.
With junior John Beck and senior Matt Berry both having starting experience at the quarterback position, both enter Spring Camp as the front runners for the starting job.
Last season Beck took the majority of the snaps for the Cougars. Starting in 10 of the Cougars' 11 games, Beck threw for 2,563 yards and a career-high 15 touchdowns last season. Berry, who also has starting experience, competed in four games last season, posting 228 yards and one touchdown.
Jason Beck, Jackson Brown, Mike Affleck and Greg Mortensen will also compete for signal-calling duties this Spring.
Running Back:
With a veteran stable of running backs, along with the infusion of the high-powered, spread offense, the running back position will play a key role in the Cougars' offense in 2005. Junior Curtis Brown and senior Fahu Tahi might just be the offensive one-two punch that will effectively keep defenders on their heels. Last season, the two backs averaged 102.5 yards per game and scored 11 of the Cougars' 12 rushing touchdowns on the season. Mendenhall said he is excited about the duo.
"Brown and Tahi give us two completely different types of backs, both with unique strengths," he said.
Moa Peaua will see action at fullback, while Eric Watterson, Nate Meikle, Wayne Latu and Joe Semanoff will look to add depth at the position.
Wide Receiver:
With Austin Collie, the Mountain West Conference Freshman of the Year and freshman All-American, having left to serve a Church mission, the Cougars will look to senior Todd Watkins for his usual big-play potential, as well as a host of other talented receivers to propel the new, high-powered offense.
Watkins, an honorable mention All-American in his own right, pulled in 52 receptions for a team high 1,042 yards and six touchdowns last season. Hampered by a nagging injury, Watkins had off-season surgery and will not participate during Spring Camp.
Redshirt freshman Michael Reed is listed on the Spring depth chart, along with Michael Morris, who missed last season due to injury. Both have worked hard during the off-season and are expected to play a key role during Spring Camp. Bryce Mahuika, Saia Hafoka and Breyon Jones will all compete for the starting job at inside receiver.
Other receivers in the mix to compete for playing time include Matt Allen, Zac Collie, Brett Cooper, David Gooch, Trent Griffith, Matthew Smith and Riley Weber.
Mendenhall said he feels the receiving crew will be very dependable. He also adds there are some up-and-coming players at the wide receiver position that will add quality depth.
Tight End:
The Cougars' new offense has been billed as a tight end's dream. In many formations, the quarterback could be looking at as many as five receivers, and the tight end is often a favorite target.
Junior Daniel Coats will enter Spring Camp as the top tight end; however, he'll have to continue to impress coaches as other young tight ends look to increase playing time. Last season Coats had 13 catches averaging 12.3 yards per catch. After battling injury over the past two seasons, Philip Niu is expected to return and compete for the starting job. Niu is still recovering from season-ending surgery and is expected to be ready to go for Fall Camp.
Junior college transfer Joe Griffin, recruited as a receiver, will compete for playing time at tight end. Other players expected to compete for playing time include Jeremy Gillespie, Jonny Harline and Andrew Stacey. Mendenhall said Andrew George is expected home from his Church mission and will compete for playing time during Fall Camp.
Offensive Line:
The offensive line is expected to be one of the primary strengths of the offensive unit. The o-line returns four players with starting experience, as well as a handful of young players who will make an impact this season.
The offensive line will be anchored by Rimington Award candidate Lance Reynolds, Jr. Reynolds, a former linebacker, made the transition before the 2003 season and is now entering his second season as the starter at center. Jake Kuresa, who has played both guard and tackle over the past two seasons, returns after starting all 11 games last seasons at right guard. Brian Sanders will return for his senior season after starting all 11 games at left guard last season as well. Eddie Keele also returns for his junior season and is expected to compete for the starting position at left tackle.
An influx of young talent will help add depth along the offensive line. Redshirt freshman Ray Feinga, along with true freshman Terrence Brown are both expected to see significant playing time this season. Brown will miss Spring Camp due to an off-season injury. Jeff Rhea, who played had two years in the program before serving a Church mission, returns for his redshirt sophomore season. He will compete for playing time at center.
Redshirt freshman Travis Bright will enter Spring Camp listed as the starter at right guard. David Oswald, a 6-foot-8, 290-pound giant also returns from his Church mission and will look to contribute.
Special Teams:
The Cougars will have to replace All-American Matt Payne, who handled both the kicking and punting duties for the Cougars over the past three seasons. Filling his shoes will be no easy task. New special teams coordinator Patrick Higgins will turn to Trent Williams to handle kicking duties during Spring Camp, along with Jared McLaughlin who will take care of the punting chores.
Earlier this year, Mendenhall announced the signing of Washington transfer Derek McGlaughlin who will look to take over punting duties next Fall. McGlaughlin is still on a Church mission and will not compete during Spring Camp.
Other positions will be sorted out during Spring Camp; however, Bryce Mahuika is expected to return as the team's top punt and kick return specialist. Brett Cooper is also expected to help out on kick-return duties.