PROVO — Bronco Mendenhall on Friday released the names of players on his roster who will redshirt — not play in games during the upcoming 2007 season. He's uncertain about a handful of others who may be called upon because of depth-chart issues.
Depending upon needs, Mendenhall could redshirt most of his 2007 recruiting class. However, there are three freshmen defensive backs and 6-foot-4 Spanish Fork wide receiver Jason Smith whose redshirt status will be determined next week.
Freshman noseguard Eathyn Manumaleuna from Timpview High could end up starting this fall as well.
Rookie secondary players who are on the bubble include Bingham High 5A Most Valuable Player Jordan Pendleton, cornerback G Pittman from Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., and Steven Thomas of Chino Hills, Calif.
Coaches decided to redshirt former Timpview High offensive lineman Matt Reynolds, who returned from an LDS mission last spring. Joining him will be University of Colorado transfer defensive end Steven Fendry, who must sit out a year as required by the NCAA. Fendry was a blue chip tight end out of Castle Rock, Colo., when he signed with the Buffs out of high school.
Other redshirt players this season include freshmen QB Jason Munns, DL David Angilau, DB Brannon Brooks, RB J.J. Di Luigi, TE Kaneaku Friel, WR Ryan Kessman, DB Gary Nagy and OL Manaaki Vaitai.
In addition, walk-on TE Matt Shirley, DL Matt Putnam, DL Spencer Wolfley and DB Blake Morgan will redshirt, according to Mendenhall.
Di Luigi, the key force in Canyon High's championship victory in the California Bowl, underwent surgery after injuring his foot in BYU's first scrimmage. He has appeared at practices in a cast with his foot propped up on a wheel cart.
NOTES: The Cougars had a light practice Friday, working on special teams play and some aspects of the game for Arizona ... BYU will hold a heavy practice today, comparable to a game week Tuesday workout ... CB Ben Criddle, who underwent off-season surgery on his foot, says he is 90 percent to 95 percent but still experiences some pain. He will replace a metal shoe insert with a softer, more pliable aid in the days to come and he expects to be injected with some medicine come game time to relieve some of his discomfort. "I've made some plays in practice, but I think I could make many more. Sometimes it's the difference between getting a hand on a ball and getting to the ball and making an interception."
Mendenhall said Arizona's switch to a Texas Tech passing attack may have similarities to what Cougar offensive coordinator Robert Anae was exposed to as a Texas Tech assistant coach. "We use more two-back (sets) than what we anticipate them doing," said Mendenhall. "Not to use Anae would be a mistake. It may not be identical but there could be similarities. How quickly we manage adjustments once we are in the game will be a key to how much success we have."
Wide receiver Matt Allen practiced Friday with a protective wrap on his left hand. He still caught passes but tried to one-paw them and succeeded.
E-mail: dharmon@desnews.com