PROVO -- A total of 25 newcomers to the BYU Football program, along with their parents, met Friday morning in the team room and received a memorable introduction to the football program from head coach Bronco Mendenhall.
Entering his fourth year as the head coach, Mendenhall covered everything from the importance of serving others to what it means to be selected by teammates to carry the team flag on to the field before a game.
"You'll find this is not just about playing football," Mendenhall told the group. "If you think this is just about playing football, then you weren't listening during the recruiting process. You'll find this is not like any other program. We know you have talent and that you can play football. But the truly great thing about our program is that it matters how you use that talent to influence the lives of others, how you help to shape people's lives."
Following their meeting with coach Mendenhall the newcomers went through academic orientation, which included a campus tour, meetings with academic advisors and an introduction to the tutors and mentors available in the Student Athlete Academic Center. After a break for lunch, the new players continued their academic meetings, as the BYU staff stressed the importance of both personal and academic development. NCAA compliance guidelines were also presented to the players.
Late in the afternoon, the veteran players met in the Smith Fieldhouse training room for physicals, before meeting the newcomers for dinner at the practice field. At dinner, old and new players alike conversed and spent time getting to know each other.
"I'm just really excited to be here," said freshman Michael Alisa of Provo's Timpview High School. "I'm hoping to help the team as much as possible. Our team has so much potential and I'm excited to be a part of it."
Following dinner the veterans attended a drug education meeting, while the newcomers went for physicals, then were issued their equipment in the locker room. The day ended with a team activity.
Work on Saturday will begin early as the team reports at 6 a.m. for conditioning tests, followed by BYU's first official practice of fall camp starting at 3:30 p.m. for the newcomers and 4 p.m. for the veterans.
Player Updates
Absent from the group of players expected to report today were receiver Atem Bol and running back Seta Pohahau. Mendenhall said Bol is planning to attend Snow College while Pohahau will look to enroll at BYU in January. Mendenhall also said junior college transfer Bernard Afuiti will not be able to practice until the necessary academic paperwork has been received from his junior college.
Linebacker Grant Nelson is expected to miss the 2008 season after battling an illness that will require surgery. In addition, fellow linebacker Matt Bauman is expected to be slowed during the first few days of camp while recovering bruised foot he sustained as a result of a scooter accident. Bauman will be re-evaluated next week. Junior receiver Austin Collie will see limited action during the first few weeks of practice after tests on Friday confirmed a stress fracture in his lower leg.
Missionary Report
While tight end recruit Austin Holt will be leaving this month for a two-year mission in St. Louis, Missouri, fellow classmate Jake Murphy has received his mission call to Sydney, Australia. Murphy, the son of Atlanta Braves All-Star Dale Murphy, will report to the MIssionary Training Center in December.
Of the players who will participate in Fall Camp, 60 have previously served a two-year mission. Due in large part to missionary service, 42 different players speak a second language. Sixteen players speak Spanish, 12 speak Tongan, eight speak Portuguese and two speak German. Other languages spoken by members of this year's team include Mandarin Chinese, French, Haitian Creole and Tagolog.
Matrimony Report
There are a total of 27 players on the Fall Camp roster who are married, including the most recent newlywed, tight end Dennis Pitta. The All-America candidate recently married quarterback Max Hall's wife's sister, Mataya.