PROVO — Bronco Mendenhall's overhaul of BYU's defense is still a work in progress even though he shuffled X's and O's to make use of bodies on hand this past spring.
He never expected it to be anything more after 15 practices in spring.
The cornerbacks are still understudies to a new system and coach. So are members of a new defensive line. Heck, you might as well put the linebackers in this category, too, and pitch in the safeties for fun. The 3-4 front, however, tweaked from the 3-3-5, did make some strides.
But the main transition could come in August when Mendenhall welcomes an injection of recruits. The biggest impact from this infusion will come on the defensive line.
The 2006 BYU defensive line will be smaller than the 2005 edition, but faster, too. There will be a lack of experience, but competition will be heated.
There are five guys who want to keep their jobs. The players who participated in spring practice with the 3-4 front now have some seasoning, and it will be tough for newcomers to duplicate that before the Cougars open up against Arizona. On the other hand, some of the recruits may have more skills than those currently playing at some positions.
It should prove to be an interesting quandary for Mendenhall and defensive line coach Steve Kaufusi in August. The "3" part of the 3-4 front is critical.
This spring, the front was composed of returning lettermen Kyle Luekenga and Hala Paonga with redshirt freshman Jan Jorgensen. The challengers were Judd Anderton and Brett Denney. They got a ton of work against a patchwork offensive line that was missing players due to surgeries.
"I feel very good about the concepts that have been taught in learning and identifying who we are and where we are on defense," Mendenhall said. "The biggest positive in terms of the spring is Luekenga and Jorgensen getting every rep, every day, day after day all spring long; them getting acclimatized as far as what expectations are.
"There is no way to substitute the volume that they got. I wish there would have been (backups) that got as many repetitions as they had. However, they were able to address fundamentals as to the effort, physical play and fighting through injuries. All of that was invaluable, along with Hala.
"Behind them, Brett Denney and Judd Anderton got work. I felt comfortable with them, so we were able to establish four brand new players at defensive end. They got a lot of work. That will be helpful but they'll have to compete coming into fall with recruits coming in."
The recruits include freshmen Matangi Tonga (6-foot-2, 270 pounds), Romney Fuga (6-2, 280) and possibly Ian Dulan (6-1, 245), Jordan Richardson (6-4, 250) and JC transfer Mosese Foketi (6-255).
Tonga was in town last week, checking out his challengers. A 20-point, 10-rebound captain of his basketball team, the high school senior from San Mateo, Calif., took in a lot.
"I'm excited. I got to see the guys running around and get a feel for what's going on and the team chemistry," Tonga said.
Senior defensive captain Cameron Jensen praised the defensive linemen.
"They are young but I love them," Jensen said. "They play so hard. They are competitors. They're not the biggest guys but they play like it. We're excited to get the recruits in, in the fall, but as far as who's playing right now they're doing a great job. They get better every day. I think they've progressed more than any position. They have gotten better with every practice."
Mendenhall is counting on three recruits stepping up right out of the chute and finding a role as either a starter or reserve.
"We need three to come in and contribute," Mendenhall said. "From what I can see and assess, we need three. Of those five or six coming in, it's a great opportunity for three of them to emerge and contribute earlier than what would be normally the case."
One player who could have benefited from spring drills but got suspended for breaking team rules is redshirt tackle Russell Tialavea (6-3, 265). While still in school, he was banned from team activity in March.
"He's progressing," Mendenhall said. "I couldn't tell you when he'll join the program but I'm confident he will. There are steps in place I have for him and when that cycle runs its course we'll welcome him back with open arms. I love him and care for him but he's got some work to do."
BYU's defense avoided injuries in the spring. With the exception of linebacker Kelly Poppinga (hamstring pull), the linemen survived any major medical situations. That isn't the case with offensive linemen, where three had shoulder surgery and two others, Travis Bright (foot) and Jason Speredon (Achille's tendon), were out. Only Speredon will miss fall drills and the 2006 season.
Spring practice concluded with Saturday's Blue-White game, and players will now finish final exams this week, then enter a summer workout program.
One player who plans on making the most of his starting spot on the line is Jorgensen, just off a mission 10 months ago. He signed with Kentucky out of Carbon High School when Ron McBride was on the team's staff.
Jorgensen started from scratch the first day, in the absence of graduating seniors Vince Feula and Manaia Brown.
"In the beginning I was just trying to hang," Jorgensen said. "I was out there, thrown in there with the (starters), against veteran offensive linemen and I was just trying to hang in there and make some plays.
"But as the spring went on, my confidence started to build. I began to make plays. My technique definitely got better and individually I started to make more plays when we put in more of the defense, because at the beginning we were just trying to get up there and be stout and just try and plug up holes. But once we put in more of the defense, coach Mendenhall had us taking slants all over the place and I was able to use my quickness and that benefited me personally rather than just plugging up the middle. Right now I've just got to build on that. My confidence is higher and I'm looking forward to getting better in the fall."
Jorgensen said the D-line play has turned extremely competitive. He recognizes it's only going to get more heated in August.
"It's been great to see," he said. "Kyle was in there at the beginning of spring with the (starters) and then by the end, Judd moved in there and started to split times with the (starters) on the other side. Brett is in there and it's been good to see the competitiveness come out in all of us.
"It's been fun and come the fall, none of us want to have any of the freshmen come in and take any of our spots. So, we're all going to work hard and compete at a high level come fall."
BYU's defense? And the 3-4 front?
It's still an open book, but Jorgensen and Co. finished a chapter last month.
The replacements
Vince Feula, Manaia Brown, Justin Maddux, Daniel Marquardt and T.J. Sitake are gone, leaving a huge hole along BYU's defensive line. Below is a look at players who could fill those spots:
JUDD ANDERTON
Jr., 6-5, 269
Played in only four games last year; played special teams in '04.
BRETT DENNEY
Fr., 6-4, 250
Returned missionary is third Denney to play on Cougars' D-line.
JAN JORGENSEN
Fr., 6-3, 255
Kentucky transfer redshirted his first year back from mission.
KYLE LUEKENGA
So., 6-3, 263
Granger High product saw playing time as true freshman last year.
HALA PAONGO
Sr., 6-2, 280
Had nine tackles in backup role last season; started Las Vegas Bowl.
INCOMING RECRUITS:Ian Dulan, Kamehameh-Hawaii HS; Mosese Foketi, Laney Community College; Romney Fuga, Edison HS (Calif.); Jordan Richardson, Bonneville HS (Idaho); Matangi Tonga, Aragon HS (Calif.)
E-mail: dharmon@desnews.com