Quarterback
Riley Nelson, 6-0, 201, Jr. or
Jake Heaps, 6-1, 194, Fr.
BYU heads into the 2010 season having to replace three-year starting QB Max Hall. After a quarterback battle that began last spring, coach Bronco Mendenhall said he will start Riley Nelson in the season-opener against Washington, but that Jake Heaps also will play. Both QBs have different styles that Mendenhall believes with complement each other. Nelson is a talented runner, while Heaps is a gifted passer. Both are expected to see significant playing time throughout this season, depending on situations.
Running backs
J.J. DiLuigi, 5-9, 190, Jr.
Zed Mendenhall, 5-11, 239, Soph.
The Cougars have a huge void to fill with their all-time leading rusher, Harvey Unga, gone. BYU is expected to run the ball by committee this season. Leading the way is J.J. DiLuigi, who could be poised for a big year both running the ball and catching it out of the backfield. Bryan Kariya and freshman Joshua Quezada also are expected to see a lot of playing time. Zed Mendenhall is a bruising blocker who will be counted on to open holes.
Wide receivers
O'Neill Chambers, 6-2, 211, Jr.
McKay Jacobson, 5-11, 190, Jr.
McKay Jacobson and O'Neill Chambers are veteran playmakers who will be counted on to help the quarterbacks in the passing game. Luke Ashworth, Cody Hoffman, Ross Apo and Rhen Brown are all expected to be in the receiving mix.
Tight end
Richard Wilson, 6-2, 233, Fr. or
Marcus Mathews, 6-5, 200, Fr.
Coaches are hoping that one of the following — Richard Wilson, Marcus Mathews, Devin Mahina, Mike Muehlmann or Austin Holt — emerges. Until then, they could all see playing time.
Offensive line
LT: Matt Reynolds, 6-6, 322, Jr.
LG: Braden Hansen, 6-6, 310, Soph.
C: Terence Brown, 6-4, 330, Jr.
RG: Jason Speredon, 6-5, 308, Sr.
RT: Braden Brown, 6-6, 300, Soph.
BYU returns four of five starters on the O-line. A preseason All-American and Outland Trophy candidate, Matt Reynolds will play right tackle with the left-handed Nelson in at QB and play left tackle with the right-handed Heaps. Braden Brown will play right and left tackle, depending on the QB. Braden Hansen was a freshman All-American last season while center Terence Brown has been almost flawless with his snaps in fall camp. Jason Speredon is coming back from season-ending rotator cuff injury suffered in fall camp last year.
Defensive line
DE: Eathyn Manumaleuna, 6-2, 295, Soph.
NT: Romney Fuga, 6-2, 307, Jr.
DE: Vic So'oto, 6-3, 261, Sr.
Just back from a mission, Eathyn Manumaleuna, the hero of BYU's victory over UCLA in the 2007 Las Vegas Bowl, started in every game as a freshman at nose tackle. Now, he's at left end. A solid run-stopper, Romney Fuga started seven games last season. Vic So'oto, the one-time tight end, provides BYU with a strong pass rush. Others in the rotation include Matt Putnam, Jordan Richardson and Thomas Bryson.
Linebackers
Jordan Pendleton, 6-3, 239, Jr.
Shane Hunter, 5-10, 232, Sr.
Brandon Ogletree, 5-11, 225, Soph.
Jameson Frazier, 6-2, 225, Jr.
Jordan Pendleton, who played the 2009 season with a shoulder injury, is a playmaker on the Cougar defense. Shane Hunter, a former walk-on out of Snow College, could share time with freshman Zac Stout at middle linebacker. Brandon Ogletree will compete with Aveni Leung-Wai and Austen Jorgensen for playing time at buck linebacker. Jameson Frazier, one of the pleasant surprises since spring ball, will try to hold off freshman Kyle Van Noy.
Defensive backs
CB: Brian Logan, 5-6, 185, Sr.
CB: Brandon Bradley, 6-0, 193, Sr.
SS: Andrew Rich, 6-3, 223, Sr.
FS: Steven Thomas, 5-11, 172, Jr.
Usually, BYU's secondary is a weakness in its defense. But this year, it's expected to be a strength. The Cougars boast three seniors — Brian Logan, Brandon Bradley and Andrew Rich — in the defensive backfield. Logan recorded a team-high 14 pass breakups last season while Rich led the team in tackles last season and had four interceptions. Steven Thomas is taking over for Scott Johnson as "the QB of the defense."
Specialists
K: Mitch Payne, 6-2, 213, Sr.
P: Riley Stephenson, 6-0, 203, Soph.
KR: O'Neill Chambers, 6-2, 211, Jr.
KR: J.J. DiLuigi, 5-9, 190, Jr.
PR: O'Neill Chambers, 6-2, 211, Jr.
PR: J.D. Falslev, 5-8, 175, Fr.
The Cougars should be solid on special teams, with Mitch Payne, who converted 59 of 61 PATs last season, and Riley Stephenson, who averaged 41.3 yards per punt. O'Neill Chambers averaged 25.6 yards per kick return in 2009 and nearly returned one for a touchdown against UNLV. J.D. Falslev reminds Cougar coaches of former BYU punt return specialist Nate Meikle. J.J. DiLuigi, McKay Jacobson and Cody Hoffman could also see time returning kicks.