PROVO -- Over the past two seasons, BYU's starting offensive line has undergone a complete overhaul. A year ago, the Cougars filled vacancies at all three interior positions. In 1999, they're replacing both tackles.
BYU coach LaVell Edwards said it's just the nature of college football. With the close of each season, he points out, another group of players complete their eligibility. And then there are cases where athletes transfer; are dismissed from school; or drop out to pursue other opportunities.Roster changes are commonplace. Fortunately, not all are as dramatic as the holes BYU has to fill at running back and on the offensive line this season. The latter involves finding replacements for sizable tackles John Tait (6-7, 305) and Joe Wong (6-6, 310). Each is on the road to pursuing careers in the NFL. Tait was the first-round draft pick of the Kansas City Chiefs, while Wong signed with the Miami Dolphins and was sidelined for the season with an injury shortly thereafter.
"You can't lose two guys like that and not have it affect you," said Edwards.
Indeed. Replacing more than 13 feet and 600 pounds of tackle is a daunting task. Offensive line coach Roger French said BYU has several players capable of manning the two spots.
"It's going to be a dogfight for those positions," French remarked in the season outlook. "But that's the way to have it. Everybody seems to work harder."
Sophomore Aaron McCubbins (6-4, 275) and junior Ford Poston (6-6, 300) are the frontrunners for the tackle positions. They'll join three returning senior starters -- center Jimmy Richards (6-4, 295) and guards Matt Johnson (6-4, 310) and John Skiba (6-3, 275) -- on a unit considered by many to be the hardest working group on this year's team.
Reserve quarterback Brandon Doman said BYU's offensive line has worked too hard not to succeed. Starter Kevin Feterik seconds the motion.
"They'll be fine," he said. "I'm looking forward to working with them."
With the Cougars seemingly committed to the pass this season, Feterik could use any extra time his lineman can secure. Operating out of the shotgun will help, but nothing can compensate for consistency from the front-line forces. And the man in the middle thinks BYU will get it.
"I feel like we'll put it together. We've worked really hard," said Richards, who notes the Cougars are almost forced to throw the ball more after the Honor Code-related losses of running backs Ronney Jenkins and Junior Mahe. "There's a little bit of pressure on us, but I think we'll be good at whatever we do."
They'll get a chance to prove themselves early. BYU opens the season Sept. 9 at Cougar Stadium against Washington. A year ago in Seattle, the Huskies sacked Feterik six times in a 20-10 victory over the Cougars.
CAMP UPDATE: Two players were injured in practice sessions Saturday. Freshman running back Luke Staley dislocated his right shoulder, and defensive lineman Ryan Denney partially dislocated his left knee cap. Team doctors expect both Staley and Denney to fully recover before the season opener. Denney's injury should heal within a week, while Staley has been cleared to participate in non-contact drills beginning Monday . . . Two-a-day practices continue through next week.