It’s humbling to know that your peers look to you to lead them. If it’s not the greatest accomplishment of my playing career, it’s right up there. – JD Falslev
PROVO — Receiver Skyler Ridley has come a long way since almost quitting the team a couple of years ago.
Ridley, who has been a standout in practices this fall, was voted by his teammates as one of the four team captains.
"It's an incredible honor and a privilege to be named captain," Ridley said. "To be voted by the teammates is truly humbling. I wasn't expecting it, but it's certainly an honor, and it's a position I definitely don't take lightly."
Receiver JD Falslev was named as the other offensive captain with linebacker Uani Unga and safety Daniel Sorensen named as the defensive captains.
"It's humbling to know that your peers look to you to lead them," Falslev said. "If it's not the greatest accomplishment of my playing career, it's right up there."
Front and center: Terrance Alletto wasn't aware he was named the starting center until the media told him during interviews following Monday's practice. Every offensive line position has two players listed as potential starters, save the center spot.
"I didn't make the depth chart, but that's certainly a little pressure, but I'm ready for it," he said. "It's my job to keep the pace and sort of set the pace, and hopefully I can do that effectively. It's what I've been focused on."
Indeed Alletto, maybe more so than any other offensive lineman on the team, has completely bought into Robert Anae's high-tempo offense. Since day one, when the offense was explained to him, he's completely bought in.
"It's very important to be up to the ball and be down and ready to go," Alletto said. "It's been emphasized to me to set the ball, not to wait for the official to set it, but be ahead of the official and ready to go. I need to be ready before anyone else is, so there's some pressure."
Coaches mentioned that the other offensive line positions will see a consistent rotation throughout games.
Other depth chart notes: — Coach Bronco Mendenhall said Christain Stewart will be the third-string quarterback against Virginia, but the spot will be re-evaluated from week-to-week. Jason Munns will travel with the team to Virginia.
— Sky PoVey was listed as the starter at boundary corner, but coaches will use a combination of PoVey, Mike Hague and true freshman Dallin Leavitt at the spot.
— Marques Johnson will likely see first reps at nose tackle even though Eathyn Manumaleuna was listed as the starter. Manumaleuna will likely start out at defensive end and rotate with Johnson at nose.
— JonRyheem Peoples suffered a concussion and will likely not travel with the team to Virginia. Sophomore Logan Taele will likely be the third nose tackle, according to Mendenhall.
Cal scheduled: The team announced a two-game home-and-home series with Cal on Monday. The teams will play at Berkeley, Calif., on Nov. 29, 2014, with a second game being played at LaVell Edwards Stadium on Sept. 16, 2017.
“This is obviously a unique series for me,” said BYU director of athletics Tom Holmoe, who coached football at Cal from 1996-2001. “Cal is a world-class academic institution with a historic football tradition. Playing in the newly remodeled Memorial Stadium will be a treat for our team and the Cougar faithful who attend the Berkeley matchup, and having the Golden Bears play at LaVell Edwards Stadium will be a great game for our home fans.”
Email: bgurney@desnews.com
Twitter: @BrandonCGurney