PROVO, Utah – BYU football began its second week of spring practice in the fresh air with an outdoor session on Monday afternoon.
BYU has three more weeks of spring football, with one practice open to fans on Saturday, March 23.
The following quotes are from Monday's post-practice media availability.
Head Coach Kalani Sitake
On the first week of Spring ball
It was good. We had some good live work on Friday and mostly did live drills. We didn’t do a lot of live 11 on 11, but we had 80 plays that we scrimmaged. I thought it was really good for being the first week of spring practice. I’m not trying to jinx it, but I’m feeling really confident with how our team’s working right now considering the guys that aren’t playing in spring.
On headliner players being out during Spring
Right now, we have to plan on those guys being back so that the offense is in place for them. Obviously, we’ll put different types of bodies in different positions during spring. We’ll just keep working it with the thought that Moroni Laulu-Pututau and Matt Bushman are going to be there at tight end. It’s more important to get our quarterbacks competing right now. I’m really liking the guys that are getting reps. Jaren Hall, Joe Critchlow and Baylor Romney are doing really good things with the offense right now.
On guys that are emerging as leaders
There’s a bunch of them. We’re trying to get more peer teaching and learning on our team. We have a lot of guys that are hurt and that are involved in the coaching and even our drills. In the 11 on 11, we have a lot of guys that are out there with experience that are helping the young guys. I think that’s why it’s a lot cleaner than it has been in previous springs. It’s also an offense that they’re familiar with right now, and it’s going really well.
Wide Receiver Gunner Romney
On what’s different from this year to last year
It’s been a lot more up-tempo, the practices have been more intense. The coaches have been really honest about going hard and running with the tempo and running full speed. It feels really good to be healthy after coming in last year pretty banged up at the beginning of the season. It feels good to be healthy and running around.
On his thoughts on spring ball and being here with his brother Baylor
It’s a cool experience being here with Baylor. We have been throwing together since we were kids so the chemistry is different and definitely there. It’s a great opportunity to play in spring ball so I can get more experience under my belt for next season. Finally knowing the offense and being healthy and running full speed.
On spring practice for the receivers
I think as a group we all need to step up and that needs to be the main focus of this offense. We need big play makers and explosive plays on the offense next year. I think this group has really stepped up so far in spring ball. We are going to continue to get better and continue to work for the season.