We've worked so hard together, especially this summer, and we're building chemistry between all of us on the receiving corps. I really know we'll see something spectacular between all of us as a group this season. – Mitch Juergens
PROVO — BYU offensive coordinator Robert Anae has thrown out the challenge that he wants to see the Cougars become more of a passing threat one year after the team threw for nearly 300 yards per game.
Challenge accepted.
With a pair of returning starters and senior quarterback Taysom Hill back at 100 percent, as well as several other receivers who caught passes last season coming back, this year's group of receivers is poised to prove it can be the best BYU has had in several years.
Returning experience
Senior Mitch Mathews (6-6, 215) is the bell cow of the receiving corps and one of two returning starters, coming off a career-best season with 922 receiving yards and nine touchdowns. He was slowed earlier in fall camp with an inguinal hernia, but Hill said he wasn’t concerned the injury would slow Mathews' progression heading into his final season: "The dude's been around for a long time. He's super established and super reliable."
Junior Nick Kurtz (6-5, 205), the junior college transfer who missed last season due to injury, has been described by Anae as getting "more confident. It's almost like every practice, he's more confident." The wideout has been a standout in practice, scoring on a 48-yard touchdown in the Cougars’ first fall scrimmage and hauling in another long pass near the goal line in Saturday’s scrimmage.
“Collectively, we refer to Mitch and Nick as the 'Twin Towers,’” BYU coach Bronco Mendenhall said. "It's hard to get matchups against 6-6 and 6-5 players that run pretty well. … That gives you big-play potential."
Junior Mitch Juergens (5-10, 182) is the team's other returning starter at receiver, and he caught 28 passes for 424 yards and four touchdowns out of the slot last season. He'll be a key player again this year. Sophomore Trey Dye (5-9, 172) provides another option inside and is a player coaches are seeking more consistency from; during the team's scrimmage on Saturday, he caught six passes for 62 yards.
Two other seniors — Devon Blackmon (6-0, 187), also a JC transfer, and Terenn Houk (6-5, 225) — are proving reliable and are expected to play key roles in the passing game. Meanwhile, junior Colby Pearson (6-0, 204) is back after shoulder injuries ended a promising 2014 season early and also provides depth and experience.
Other players to watch: Senior Kurt Henderson (6-1, 190) and junior Travis Frey (6-2, 177) have been in the system for a long time and could be asked to step up this season, and junior David Kessler (6-2, 193) has also had a nice camp.
There are question marks at tight end, though, as the team has lost freshman Steven Richards (6-3, 247), who was slated as the starter, to a season-ending knee injury last week.
That leaves junior Bryan Sampson (6-4, 235), sophomore Tanner Balderee (6-3, 242) and converted defensive lineman Theodore King (6-3, 265), a junior, as BYU's top options at the position.
Key additions
Four freshmen wide receivers who have returned from their missions for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are making positive impressions this fall.
That group includes Moroni Laulu-Pututau (6-4, 190), who made a 60-yard grab the first day of camp and has earned praise from coaches and players alike. Josh Weeks (6-3, 217), Talon Shumway (6-3, 205) and Rickey Shumway (6-2, 197) round out the group.
“Not only was he in the right places, he made plays,” Hill said of Laulu-Pututau after Day One of camp, lauding the freshman for being able to keep up in the hurry-up offense BYU runs. "He made the catches that came his way."
True freshmen Akile Davis (6-2, 196) was a part of the 2015 Cougar recruiting class and is developing in camp.
Dark horse candidate
Laulu-Pututau has been earning more of the attention and is worthy of consideration here, but Rickey Shumway has shown glimpses he could make an impact. Shumway had a pair of nice touchdown grabs on the fourth day of practice almost two weeks ago, then made the catch of fall camp with his no-look grab last week, a video that's grabbed the attention of Cougar fans.
“He's just a guy who makes plays,” Juergens said of Shumway. "He plays in the slot and he's a stud. We're really looking forward to seeing how well he does this year."
General outlook
There won't be a shortage of weapons for Hill in the passing game this season. And with a wide receiving group led by several upperclassmen with game experience, the expectation is BYU's passing game will take step forward after a successful 2014 campaign.
The only question will be who steps up at tight end to fill the shoes of the departed Devin Mahina.
“We've worked so hard together, especially this summer, and we're building chemistry between all of us on the receiving corps,” Juergens said. "I really know we'll see something spectacular between all of us as a group this season."
Email: bjudd@deseretdigital.com; Twitter: @brandonljudd