PROVO, Utah – Day two of spring football in the indoor practice facility wrapped up Wednesday morning.
After spending most of the practice within position groups, the Cougars concluded the session with scrimmage work in the final periods.
BYU is working with eight quarterbacks on the roster in spring, looking to build additional depth for the program for the fall season.
Tanner Mangum, a senior, has started 21 games for the Cougars but suffered an injury at the end of the 2017 season that will limit his work in spring. Junior Beau Hoge and sophomore Joe Critchlow are both healthy and getting reps after each started games last season. Freshman Kody Wilstead returns after redshirting and taking the majority of scout team reps last season.
Several newcomers join the group as true freshmen as well, including Corner Canyon star Zach Wilson and Texas product Stacy Conner. Wilson connected with receiver Akile Davis on a 35-yard touchdown pass near the end of the team portion of practice Wednesday.
Baylor Romney, brother of BYU signee Gunner Romney, is another freshman roster addition in the mix as well as sophomore Hayden Griffitts, twin brother of BYU fullback Kyle Griffitts.
The following quotes are from Wednesday's post-practice media availability.
Head coach Kalani Sitake
Second day impressions
Offensively it was a lot better. We only had one ball on the ground but other than that I see guys getting better and a lot of improvement everyday. We still have a long ways to go, but I’m really excited for the direction that we are headed.
On guys moving positions
The goal is to get the best 11 on the field. There aren’t a lot of reps to go around so we have to create reps in different places. For guys we know are veterans in different places, it’s easy for us to just move them if they can play a different position so we can improve our talent on the field. We’ve made some moves, especially on defense, like Sione Takikaki as a linebacker has been an improvement for us. It has also given the younger defensive ends a lot of reps in the last two days. We get to put on some pads on Friday, and we are really excited to see our guys get to actually compete. More importantly, what we are going to see from the transformations on the O-Line and D-Line in how they got bigger and stronger. We will see how it works on Friday.
On helping coaching position work
I’m always going to be involved in technique and scheme. I think our coaches have done some great things. There are some things that we are doing differently and I wouldn’t say it’s because of me, but what we think we have now as a group. We are trying to utilize our strengths, play sound football and make some big plays. With that comes a little bit of new install and different technique we are teaching and making sure that all the positions work together. It doesn’t make sense if we are teaching the D-line differently than the linebackers, so we are teaching all 11 on the field and trying to make sure the guys understand the concepts that are happening on the field. Now, a lot of them get it, but it’s one of the struggles for the young men when a new guy comes in, they just want to focus on their job, but in order to understand the defense you really need to understand what the other 10 are doing as well.
What changes when you put on pads?
Probably a little bit more competition up front. Our O-line and D-line were probably playing like they had shoulder pads on which happens because they are competitive. They don’t want to let pads get in the way of competition. I don’t know if it will be much different than what we saw today, maybe just more striking on the ball carrier. We will work a little bit more on the fundamentals as far as contact.
There are a lot of new things that we need to get better at. I think we’ve had a good start so far in these two practices, but there are always things that we need to fix and find ways to build our strengths.
BYU defensive coordinator Ilaisa Tuiaki
On moving players to new positions
It’s really about just getting the best players on the field and the best packages. Finding guys that we feel are playing the way we are trying to. The biggest thing for us when moving Zayne (Anderson) is to replace a guy like Fred that can cover and can come down and be physical. Zayne fits that criteria. He can still play safety for us, but right now it’s about finding that flashback.
On staff adjustments
We only had one change with Coach Hadley coming in and it’s been smooth. We have a lot of common language and brings reminders of things we have done in the past. It’s been good and has been really easy.
Tight end Matt Bushman
On the tight ends being a main part of the offense
Obviously, there is pressure for us to do the right thing because if we are messing up, they are just going to take one of the tight ends out and that’s not going to be as fun. It’s fun having this pressure and responsibility. It’s going to be a good way to check the defense and a way to get them unbalanced and run to their weaknesses. I think so far what we have seen with this offense, the defense is always confused as to what we are going to do. Yes, they are going to make plays, but with the shifts and the motions and the ways we are running this offense, we are definitely finding openings on the field.
How does it feel to be an All-American?
I don’t feel any different. I feel confident and I’m playing loose. I've gained weight and definitely gotten stronger. I’m playing more confident with my blocking, technique and running routes. I don’t think anything changes, we just need to perform and succeed.
On the complexity of the offense
With something new it’s always going to be difficult to understand but with Coach Grimes and the new offensive staff, we have definitely bought in and trust what they are teaching us. It’s been tough, they are testing us. We have had extra tests where we have to write down the formations. We have to know all the shift formations. It’s difficult at times but because of the preparations before spring ball we definitely feel prepared. Since we already went over the whole offense before spring started and learned it in a simple form we are all feeling confident and confident for what’s to come.
Wide receiver Micah Simon
On the new coaches
They were ready to go and excited to be here. When they first got hired I talked to a couple of them on the phone and they were saying how eager they were to get out here and to get working with us. Ever since the end of December and beginning of January they have been ready to go and it’s been good so far. I’ve been loving it.
On Coach Fesi Sitake’s theme
It’s just really to compete and have good execution. We need to do the little things right, all the things that come with being a complete receiver. He’s been stressing energy and execution.
On stepping up this season
There are a lot of guys that have really been stepping up. We only have one senior, Beau Tanner, who’s been doing a good job as well. We all know we need to do better as a group this year so we are all pushing each other in every drill we do. We know that we can take our game to the next level.