PROVO — As usual, BYU football was well-represented by local players this season. A number of Beehive State products made a major impact on the Cougars, both offensively and defensively.
Junior tight end Jonny Harline (Orem High) was BYU's leading receiver (as well as a first-team all-Mountain West Conference selection), and junior middle linebacker Cameron Jensen (Bountiful High) was the team's leading tackler.
Then there was freshman guard Dallas Reynolds (Timpview High), who returned from a mission just months before the season and wound up starting all 12 games. He started alongside his brother, senior Lance Reynolds Jr. (Timpview), who was a second-team all-MWC performer. Another anchor of the Cougar O-line was junior tackle Jake Kuresa (Mountain Crest High), who was a member of the all-MWC second team.
Senior Fahu Tahi (Granger High) closed his Cougar career, which began in 1999, averaging 47 rushing yards and 37 receiving yards per game in 2005.
Senior linebacker Paul Walkenhorst (Lone Peak High) returned to the field after taking two years off due to injury and started in 11 games and was one of the team's top tacklers. Senior Manaia Brown (Granger High) starred on BYU's defensive line but didn't play in the Las Vegas Bowl due to injury.
Senior Spencer White (Orem High) started every game at safety and recorded 4.5 tackles for loss, an interception and a fumble recovery. Senior cornerback Nate Soelberg (Granger High) broke both of his arms during the season but came back to play in the Las Vegas Bowl.
Junior tight end Daniel Coats (Northridge High) hauled in 21 passes for 189 yards and three TDs. True freshman Luke Ashworth (Timpview High) saw action in 10 games, catching five passes for 89 yards. Quarterback Jackson Brown (Jordan High) helped run BYU's scout team.
Redshirt freshman Ray Feinga (Hunter High) backed up Kuresa at tackle and made his first career start at New Mexico. Sophomore Jeff Rhea (Bingham High) backed up Lance Reynolds Jr. at center.
True freshman defensive lineman Kyle Luekenga (Granger High) saw action in eight games, and coaches say he has a promising future. Sophomore linebacker Bryan Kehl (Brighton High), who returned from a mission prior to the 2005 season, played in all 12 games and recorded 30 tackles.
Senior T.J. Sitake (Timpview High) saw action in every game and had 17 tackles in his final season as a Cougar. Junior kick return specialist Brett Cooper (Bonneville High) returned six kickoffs for 75 yards.
E-mail: jeffc@desnews.com