PROVO -- Monday marked the beginning of spring practice for the BYU football team as it prepares for the upcoming 2008 season. Heavy training over the past few months has prepared the team as spring ball gets underway.
"There's not as much emotion tied to it as in years past," said head coach Bronco Mendenhall. "[The team] recognizes this as another step in the process to get ready for fall. They're more composed, more workman-like and know what to expect."
With the return of Mountain West Conference first-team quarterback Max Hall and MWC Freshman of the Year Harvey Unga, the offensive side of the ball has avoided some of the early struggles faced in previous years.
"It's nice to have experienced players on offense," said Mendenhall. "It didn't take nearly as long for the execution to be as clean is it was maybe in the second or third week last year."
Newly returned missionaries Luke Ashworth and Spencer Hafoka add depth to a talented group of receivers, joining the likes of Austin Collie and Dennis Pitta. BYU's backfield has also seen an increase in depth, as Unga, Manase Tonga, a healthy Fui Vakapuna and redshirt freshman J.J. Di Luigi compete for playing time.
After a recent switch from offense to defense, junior Vic So'oto is one of several linebackers looking to fill the void left by graduated seniors Bryan Kehl and Kelly Poppinga.
"Vic [So'oto] had a really nice day for his first full day at outside linebacker," said Mendenhall. "He's going to figure in, whether he's a starter or a backup, that remains to be seen. But no question, he's in a spot where he can help us."
After posting back-to-back 11-2 records over the past two seasons, and finishing the 2007 season with a No. 14 national ranking, expectations and goals this year are higher than ever.
"I think we have high expectations for ourselves," said Hall. "All we can do is work hard and do everything we can to get better. We have a lot of athletic guys that are going to fill in spots. It's going to be a fun spring."