PROVO — Bronco Mendenhall put BYU's football team through its final practice paces Thursday before spring drills end with Saturday's Blue-White scrimmage at 1 p.m. in LaVell Edwards Stadium.
When asked what players stood out or were a surprise to spring, Mendenhall didn't even hesitate to name linebacker Bryan Kehl and running back Fui Vakapuna — just off an LDS mission to Carlsbad, Calif.
"It's not even close. Those two are clearly standouts as newcomers, even though Bryan has been back for a year, it takes that long, the way he has performed in spring is at a much higher level than in the fall. Fui, coming back, is noticeable to everyone how physical he is and how hard he is to tackle, and he is a very emotional player."
In addition to installing a 3-4 front, another emphasis of the past 14 practices was on special-teams play. Mendenhall said his staff took a different approach this spring, presenting special-teams play to the team in a different way. He asked players to take ownership of that part of the game in which BYU struggled last year.
Mendenhall asked for leaders to step forward and lead special-teams squads and once those players were voted on by the team, they've taken control of team meetings and setting the tone in practices. Mendenhall did not identify who those captains are in spring.
"It's a difference in investment and seeing the relevance in performing well on special teams," Mendenhall said.
"I asked in a team meeting who would be willing to be captains on special teams and through the leadership council, they are taking charge of meetings and now we've identified who the leaders are, and they've taken ownership of that."
Mendenhall said BYU's secondary has made progress and it is evident in the way they keep the ball in front of them with leverage. "Now it's a matter of making plays and tackling, things we'll continue to work on.
"I think they've progressed well. We've made strides in coverage."
Senior middle linebacker Cameron Jensen said BYU defenders have come a long way.
"We've put in our base package. We still have a long ways to go," Jensen said. "We somewhat know what we're doing, but it's been a great spring. We are working on being the masters of our positions. The four-linebacker scheme is working, falling into place. We have very good athletes ready to step in and make plays, we've come a long way. I just can't wait to line up next to them."
COUGAR NOTES: BYU expects more than 70 high school prospects on Saturday to visit campus and football facilities for Junior Day. "We've been efficient in recruiting and identifying prospects early and this is a part of it," Mendenhall said. Players expected to attend include four juniors who have already given commitments to sign in February 2007. DL recruit Matangi Tonga was in attendance at Thursday's practice. The annual youth clinic starts Saturday at 11:30 a.m. followed by a legends alumni game prior to the Blue-White kickoff at 1 p.m. Some of the former players who will be participating include: Jason Buck (85-86), Blaine Fowler (83-85), Alema Harrington (86-88), Stan Raass (94-95), Setema Gali (97-00), Dustin Johnson (95-97). Spencer Reid (94-97), Lee Johnson ( 81-84), Jim Herrmann (81, 83-84), Mark Atuaia ( 91, 94-96), TD Biegel (93-94), Jamal Willis (91-94), James Dye (95-96), Desi Lomax (96-97), Chris Smith (87-90), Tim Hanshaw (92-94), Francis Gibson (93), Joe Evans (90-91) and Vic Tarleton (92-93).
E-mail: dharmon@desnews.com