Four Practices Open to the Public
PROVO, Utah – The BYU football team began preparations for its first season as an independent with players reporting for fall camp on Friday.
The first of 28 scheduled practices takes place on Saturday leading up to the team’s opening game at Ole Miss on Sept. 3.
Four practice sessions during August will be open to the public with the first two scheduled for Friday, Aug. 12 at 10:15 a.m. and 4:50 p.m. at the SAB outdoor practice field. Additional open practices will be held Saturday, Aug. 13 at 10:15 a.m. at LaVell Edwards Stadium and Tuesday, Aug. 16 at 10:15 a.m. at the SAB outdoor practice field. Cougar Kickoff, a fan event featuring the football team and other BYU squads, will also take place on Aug. 16 beginning at 6 p.m. at Haws Field just west of the Indoor Practice Facility.
Some of the events for the team on Friday included welcome messages from BYU athletic director Tom Holmoe and head coach Bronco Mendenhall, academic orientation, individual physicals and a team activity.
New freshmen arriving this weekend include linebackers Austin Heder, Lene Lesatele, Va’a Niumatalolo and Manoa Pikula; defensive linemen Moses Kaumatule, Baker Pritchard and Stehly Reden; defensive backs Gavin Fowler and Teu Kautai; running back Adam Hine; wide receiver Terenn Houk; tight end Colby Jorgensen; and quarterback Alex Kuresa. Transfer defensive back Joe Sampson, a junior out of the College of San Mateo, also reported on Friday.
Returning to the team for fall camp are Malosi Te’o (So. RB) and returned missionaries Kevan Bills (Fr. LB), Justin Blackmore (Fr. DL), Ian Dulan (Sr. DL), Solomone Kafu (Fr. OL) and Iona Pritchard (So. RB).
Also returning is senior linebacker Jadon Wagner, who will join the team for fall camp once his request for re-admission to the university is processed. Wagner withdrew from school earlier this year to enter the CFL Draft before deciding to return for his final year of eligibility.
In addition, starting defensive lineman Matt Putnam is academically ineligible and will not participate in fall camp while working on academic qualifications. Sophomore Thomas Bryson (DE) and redshirt freshmen Drew Phillips (RB) and Kori Gaines (DB) are anticipated to join the team when school starts in the fall.