PROVO, Utah – BYU football enters its final full week of practices before opening the 2019 season next Thursday against the University of Utah at LaVell Edwards Stadium.
Quarterback Zach Wilson returns to BYU for his sophomore campaign to lead the team after finishing out an impressive 2018 season. Coming off a perfect 18 for 18 for 317 yards and four touchdowns against Western Michigan in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl, Wilson leads a talented group of young quarterbacks on the 2019 team. BYU also returns redshirt freshman Jaren Hall, a two-sport athlete who entered fall camp after impressing on both the spring football practice field and the baseball diamond.
The quarterback position also brings back redshirt sophomore Joe Critchlow and redshirt freshman Baylor Romney while adding true freshman newcomer Rhett Reilly.
BYU head coach Kalani Sitake liked the energy and leadership he saw from his team at Monday's practice. The following quotes are from Monday's post-practice media availability.
Kalani Sitake | Head Coach
On if there has been any lull after three weeks of going against each other
Nope, it was it good day today. The great part about it is the players and the energy they bring as well as the leadership group. There are a bunch of leaders on this team and they’ve been doing a great job getting the energy up. When you’re going through the schedule it can seem kind of like the same thing over and over again and they’ve added some new things daily so it’s been refreshing with this group.
On if they have accomplished more this fall camp
Not having to put in a new offense is probably a big part of it. Everyone’s familiar with it, the schedule and each other. It’s not so brand new as far as the players trying to get to know the coaches and the schemes. We’re speaking the same language. I also have to give a lot of credit to the players. We have seen a lot of leadership from the guys since the beginning—in January, since the bowl game ended, our off-season conditioning, spring ball and summer conditioning has been all about football, and the leaders showing us the way. The way they are taking ownership of this team has been nice to see and I think that’s a big part of it. They feel comfortable with the scheme and the coaches, that’s got to have a factor in there a little bit, but the players are a big factor and have a major impact.
On when they will break fall camp
We kind of have already. We’ve been preparing for the game anyways and have had a good jump start at it. I think we’ve got a mixture of what we’re doing in camp but also scouting Utah. I don’t know if there is an official bell to be rung when you break camp, but I think we’re transitioning right now to get ready for the game.
Keanu Hill | Freshman Wide Receiver
On goals for the season
One of my goals is to get playing time against some of those big time teams like Utah and Tennessee. I also want to play in a bowl game.
On picking up the offense
I feel like I’m picking it up really well. Coming into the program it was really hard to get down the plays, but every day I’m in the film room and getting them down.
On how BYU came onto his radar
Going into my senior season, the coaches came down and saw me play in a spring scrimmage. I played really well in that game and we decided to pull the trigger that day.
On uncle Roy Williams, former NFL receiver
Sometimes I feel like I need to be better than him because he set the bar really high for me. We talk every night after I get off the phone with my dad, and he gives me key points about what I need to work on.
On his strengths
Some of my strengths are my size, my reach ability and my routes.