BYU football began fall camp practices on Wednesday afternoon as the team continues preparations for the 2019 season.
After reporting for camp on Tuesday and participating in meetings and equipment issue, the Cougars finished their first full day of camp on Wednesday with a 21-period practice in the Indoor Practice Facility.
BYU opens the season on Aug. 29 against the University of Utah in LaVell Edwards Stadium. The Cougars also host USC, Washington, Boise State, Liberty and Idaho State in Provo in 2019. Tickets are available at BYUTickets.com.
The following quotes are from Wednesday's post-practice media availability:
Kalani Sitake | head coach
On first impressions of fall camp
I liked it. I thought it was a really good Day 1. I liked the excitement from our players. I could tell these guys worked really hard in the offseason. A lot of coaches will say that but it’s pretty evident in the way that they look and the way that they’re executing. I think we made a huge step forward with the PRPs and the players taking ownership over the team. There were some really good things today.
On Zach Wilson after Day 1
Yeah he’s going to be fine. He’s good. I have no worries about Zach. We’re still working on getting his legs back and being able to do everything 100%, but I think he’s really close.
On Zach Wilson being ready for the Utah game
He’ll be ready. You can ask him how he feels, and he’ll tell you honestly. We’ll have him ready. I really liked what I saw from the whole position group today.
On the transfer running backs
Yeah, Ty’Son and Sup, they did a great job. It’s still all kind of brand new with the install and everything. But they’re athletic and what I saw from those two guys, I was really pleased. We have a few transfers and I like the way they were all around. Those two specifically at the running back, I think they should be able to help us out. The guys are going to be ready to play, they are competing, and the best will play. I think anyone that knows me, I just told you guys that I’ll play the best guys, I don’t care what their experience is, the best guys that deserve to be on the field will be on the field.
On what makes a good first practice
I think the execution for us was really good. And as long as we keep focusing on the details and keep working together, I’m really happy with what our coaches did in spring and in the offseason. And with what our players did with our coaches teaching and then have made it their own in the PRPs, you can really see a huge improvement in them understanding the offense and the defense and so we’re taking a huge step forward with that. And it probably helps that this is our second year going into it with this offense. It’s not so brand new like it was last year, and we have a lot of returning guys that can lead the way and help teach as well. So for me, that made a really good day one.
On why they came indoors today
It rained and we wanted to have some good footing, and that’s the main reason. I’m glad we got some rain, hopefully it can help with the fires, so that’s a good thing.
Zach Wilson | sophomore quarterback
On his shoulder and being cleared
It’s solid. I just came out like nothing was wrong.
On it being the first day
I was getting the anxious butterflies last night, not nervous just excited. Crazy seven months, how fast everything has flown by and I was just excited to get out here.
On being productive in the summer months
Receivers, our O-line, the running backs, they all bought in. I know a lot of those guys are taking it personal how good they want to be and good they want to make this team. I know a lot of them took big strides this summer, doing extra to make them different and stand out from others and it shows out here with how they’re ballin’ out.
On maturing and being a leader
Bringing the guys together is a huge key and having that connection as a team. I can get on someone sometimes but that’s not my job – it’s to pick those guys up and give them direction and also hop on board with them. Getting older and being a little more comfortable with the offense getting to play last year, I know that I have to step in and really take that leadership role if I want this team to be good.
On open competition for QB
It’s always a competition. Whether there is a competition or not, I should push myself like there always is a competition. Every quarterback should push themselves like it is competition. The second you get complacent is the second you start to lose your job and the second you start to fall off. We let the coaches handle everything but we come out here every day like it’s a tryout and you have to give it your all and prepare your best. I know every position and every player does the same thing.
On extra time and coach Grimes’ system
It’s huge for me and huge for the line and the entire team. We start to find our identities and find the things we want to do. The coaches get comfortable with things they like and bring in the things they want more of. We start to adjust and make a connection. I’m excited for this year.
One the offense’s biggest stride
I think in all aspects we are going to be so much better. We have some great running backs... It’s going to be awesome with a ton of returning O-linemen. Personally, I think we are going to make huge strides in all aspects. I know we found our identity and we know what we want to do as an offense. We are still working through some kinks, but I know we will get better in every aspect.
Zayne Anderson | senior linebacker
On his excitement to get back on the field for Day 1
We were waiting for this for a long time to get out here on the field, so it was good to be back out with all the boys. I feel like there was a lot of flying around, there were some mistakes that were made, but that’s kind of what happens on day 1. We’ll clean that up, but we’re excited to be out here—it’s good to be back in football.
On the linebacker position right now
I think it’s good. I think we’re taking some steps forward and it was a good job by everyone on day 1. I think we've got a lot of talent in this group. I think we’re young, but I think we’ve got a lot of talent so it’ll be exciting to see these guys progress over fall camp.
On Day 1 is what you wanted out of it
I think what it really comes down to is just guys executing. Our coaches put out a plan for us, and there is going to be some mistakes made especially by our young guys but then it’s getting our older guys, our seniors, to take over and show those guys how it’s done and clean up those mistakes on the field.
On the exciting schedule
Yeah, I mean with that schedule, that’s why we’re so excited to be out here. We know what’s ahead of us, we know what’s at task, so we've got to get chomping at the bit right now and taking one game at a time and one practice at a time. So right now our eyes our on Utah, and then move forward after that. It’s exciting having this rivalry game for the first game.
On the coaches being complimentary of what the players did during the offseason
It just came down to looking at people’s strengths and building on those. Whether it’s speed or getting faster. It kind of came down to everyone getting in their position groups and watching extra film. There was a lot of effort going on this summer and I think it really paid off. I was talking to everyone, everyone feels faster, everyone feels stronger, that’s typical of day 1 but it’s good to have everyone healthy out here. And that was the main thing over summer as well, keep everyone healthy, and get stronger and faster.
Joe Tukuafu | sophomore tight end
On what is means to be back on the practice field
Feels good. I can only give thanks to BYU, their administration, and coach Kalani for what they’ve done for me throughout the year that I was out and how they’ve helped me and influenced me to just keep the fire burning and wanting to play football and wanting to come back. It was a good first day and I’m just happy to be back.
On how he feels about all aspects of his life right now
I feel great. A year off I took time thinking and took time to work and to also work out so working has helped me mentally to overcome a lot of things throughout that year and I just feel great. Today I feel great. I felt like it was a great day and especially with conditioning and physically I feel great.
On how far back his relationship goes with Coach Sitake
It goes back to 2010 when he was at Utah and he walked up to me introduced himself and since then it’s been a really tight bond with him and Coach Tuiaki. It was a really tight bond with those two, and those are guys who I’ve really respected since then. They walked in and showed me love and it’s just time to pay it back and keep that bond going.
On how he would describe himself as a football player
I would describe myself as a dual threat. I love to block, I love to block. I can also run a couple of routes and do things with my hands.
On Coach Clark and the fellow tight ends
Man they welcomed me back with open arms, it was kind of cool to see. Coach Clark has been a mentor to me, he’s been a real guy to me throughout that year, but the new players and meeting them and getting closer to them, it’s only my second day here, but it’s like I never left. They brought me in and I just love it.
On his goals for fall camp and the season
My goal fall camp is to just learn the plays and get them down and get them down to muscle memory and get the footwork down, get the routes down, and build chemistry with the teammates and the quarterbacks and tight ends. Within the season it’s honestly to just help the team win. I told Coach Clark to put me where ever he needs me whether it’s blocking or running a route. That’s kind of just my goal is to contribute where I can.