BYU needs defense, but that’s not its biggest priority

This text was first revealed within the Cougar Insiders publication. Signal as much as obtain the publication in your inbox every week.

With solely a matter of weeks remaining earlier than BYU opens fall camp, Kalani Sitake and gamers made a visit to Las Vegas for Massive 12 soccer media days.

Historical past tells us BYU must area protection, however to make a splash, it wants a constant, productive offense led by a playmaking quarterback to provide a profitable file. The upcoming season is a thriller with plenty of new items to mix with returning expertise from a five-win group.

From a scattering of interviews the previous week, we’ve got a glimpse into the mindset of coaches and gamers. On this piece, Hinckley Ropati explains why he expects to contribute in a giant method after lacking final season with an damage. Receiver Keelan Marion is a expertise which may be missed by many on the nationwide scene. On this story, offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick likes what he’s seen in BYU’s offensive depth. QB Cade Fennegan, a switch from Boise State, has moved into a training place on the group.

Cougar Insider predictions

Query of the week: The QB place at BYU attracts a ton of consideration and strain. From what you’ve heard, are BYU quarterbacks placing within the sort of work this summer season wanted to fulfill that problem?

Jay Drew: The straightforward reply to this query is sure — by all accounts, all of the quarterbacks are working extraordinarily arduous this summer season in an intense competitors for taking part in time this fall.

I personally know that Jake Retzlaff is placing within the work, as a result of I requested him about it on the BYU Soccer Media Appreciation golf event on June 24. Retzlaff stated they’re getting collectively for PRPs — Participant Run Practices — 4 or 5 instances per week. He additionally stated that each offensive participant on the depth chart is placing in additional work within the weight room as nicely.

Retzlaff advised me he was fired up by a West Virginia-based blogger’s rating of the 16 presumed beginning quarterbacks within the Massive 12, which had Retzlaff at No. 15. So he’s pushed by that.

Aaron Roderick advised us on the similar media occasion that Gerry Bohanon is lastly 100% wholesome and absolutely recovered from the shoulder damage that sidelined him all of final season. A-Rod stated Bohanon’s arm power is spectacular now.

And I’ve heard nothing however good issues about Treyson Bourguet, the previous walk-on who is outwardly going to get the scholarship vacated by Cade Fennegan, who’s going to develop into a pupil assistant coach.

Dick Harmon: I like that Retzlaff, Bohanan, Bourguet and USU switch McCae Hillstead are taking nothing with no consideration. They arrive to camp hungry and a little bit chippy. They’re pushing each other, but supporting one another. That’s signal.

One other signal is how some have sought out former QB John Beck from 3DQB in Southern California to shine up on their throwing mechanics in the course of the offseason. Whereas working with Beck isn’t a sure-fire path to success, he has develop into a confirmed issue within the improvement of NFL draft picks Zach Wilson and Jaren Corridor. And the names of well-known NFL and school QBs he works with is the who’s who of the sport. I used to be impressed with Bourguet throughout spring practices. He has arm power and accuracy. Hillstead can also be an excellent addition to the QB room.

I predict Retzlaff will shock plenty of people this fall. He was put in a singular place final yr when the Cougars had 5 wins and misplaced starter Kedon Slovis whereas the group was on the cusp of qualifying for a bowl journey. Retzlaff is an excellent athlete, he’s pushed, aggressive, has good footspeed and a powerful arm. Bohanan is the quickest among the many QBs and was a four-star recruit when he signed with Baylor out of Earle Excessive in Arkansas. That Roderick has declared Bohanan wholesome after a yr battling an damage is a giant deal.

What I like most is that this group feels a have to show individuals flawed. I like BYU’s depth at QB higher than Utah and as BYU discovered a yr in the past, this can be a massive deal within the Massive 12.

Cougar tales

9 BYU athletes can be competing within the upcoming Olympics. As Jackson Payne stories, here’s a information as to who’s competing and wherein sport. Former Cougar Whittni Morgan finds herself a late qualifier for the Olympics. In Denver, former BYU quarterback Zach Wilson is battling to start out. Right here’s a set of stories detailing his probabilities to date. Brandon Judd takes a shot at highlighting the hardest stretch of the schedule for every Massive 12 group on this piece.

From the archives

From the X-verse

Additional factors

5 burning questions for BYU soccer (KSL Sports activities)

What sort of strain are Sitake, Whittingham feeling? (Deseret Information)

Tom Holmoe describes state of this system 2024 (KSL Sports activities)

Fanalysts

Feedback from Deseret Information readers:

BYU made some large errors when going after Whit by considering that it was a forgone conclusion. Papers have been asserting Whit going to BYU.

Huge errors have been assuming that BYU was the gem when Whit was loving being on the U, and worse was the cost hole (in hindsight small potatoes) however the Utes determined to pay what they wanted for his or her man whereas BYU on the time was extra like, “Dude, you say sure to a calling, the truth that we’ve received a stipend to pay you is beneficiant.”

BYU actually had the possibility and the benefit to carry Whittingham to Provo and failed to take action.

I additionally have to be blunt concerning the knowledge of Whittingham in staying at Utah. Opposite to reminiscence Whittingham and Bronco had an almost equivalent file, Bronco’s final sport was the Vegas Bowl and each coaches began off with 99 wins and Whittingham hit 100 that day. Convention wins within the MWC have been equivalent, and whereas props go to Whittingham for getting right into a P5 outcomes have been practically equivalent. Whittingham is liked and Bronco was not likely ever accepted — character is one purpose however the different is that Utah wanted an identification whereas BYU had one, we’re the air raid group, it’s not a win with no 60-yard cross. Whittingham has instilled an identification for the Utes.

To be truthful, would we’ve got accepted Whit because the Utes did? We must always have however I’m undecided given historical past that we’d have, and that’s form of unhappy however true.

—Josh from London

It’s July. There are about 94 school soccer groups that consider they are going to win massive, set information, win the Heisman and remedy most cancers. And that’s simply the primary week.

Will probably be attention-grabbing to see if the choice to face pat on the prevailing cadre of receivers pays off. I’m considering that the familiarity Kody, Keelan, Parker, Darius and others within the WR room have with the playbook might pay dividends. Identical kinda deal within the RB room.

If our O line has upgraded like we’re advised, LJ and his buddies might be able to transfer the chains.

— Mogli54

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