We’ve made a lot of progress since we first started. We all came from the spread so it took some getting used to. But it’s coming along great. – Moroni Laulu-Pututau
PROVO — Having lost three of its top four pass-catchers from last season — Mitch Mathews, Devon Blackmon and Terenn Houk — some observers wonder where BYU’s receiving production will come from next fall.
But 6-foot-6, 215-pound senior Nick Kurtz, who had 39 receptions for 578 yards last year, returns. So does 6-4, 211-pound sophomore Moroni Laulu-Pututau, who caught only six passes for 112 yards last season but turned in a solid spring.
Quarterback Tanner Mangum, who served in the same LDS Church mission with Laulu-Pututau, has been impressed with him.
“Moroni’s awesome. Not only was he an amazing missionary down in Chile, but he’s an amazing player. He’s a friend,” Mangum said. “He did a really good job of taking on a bigger role. At the end of last season he started to play stronger and he’s built on that. He had a really good spring. He’s one of our top guys. He’s one of my top targets and I love throwing to him. We’re excited to see what he’s going to do this year.”
Mangum and Laulu-Pututau connected for a 27-yard touchdown pass in the spring game on March 26.
Laulu-Pututau returned home from his mission a year ago, so he appreciated the reps he’s received.
“It was my first spring,” he said. “In fall camp last year I had to come in and pick up the offense really quick. It was a little tough. But this spring is going to help a lot.”
Wide receivers coach Ben Cahoon liked what he saw from Laulu-Pututau, a Mountain Crest High product, during spring ball.
“He’s been running with the first team all spring. He’s a big, strong guy. He catches the ball well,” he said. “We’re trying to get him to play a little bit lower so he can get in and out of his breaks a little quicker. He’s a guy that we’re counting on. We need him to stay healthy and be as strong and fast as possible in the fall.”
BYU also returns seniors Colby Pearson, Mitchell Juergens and Garrett Juergens. The Cougars will welcome the addition of speedy Jonah Trinnaman, a four-star recruit out of Snow College.
“We’re fine at receiver," said head coach Kalani Sitake. "We’ve got a bunch of guys that can run. I don’t think we’re as thin as people think.”
Kurtz is one of the Cougars’ leaders at wide receiver.
“He’s our veteran who can move around and cause mismatches. It matters to him a lot and I love his approach to the game,” Cahoon said of Kurtz. “He’s willing to work hard. He’s got great personality and a sense of humor and you need that throughout a long season. He’s a senior leader that wants the ball. He’s working every single play to make sure he earns the trust of the quarterback so he gets the ball.”
Cahoon was pleased with what the receivers as a group accomplished during spring camp.
“I feel good about it. I think we improved,” he said. “I think the guys take their job seriously and have a lot of pride in trying to master their position. I saw progress. We’re not there yet. We need to get better and more explosive and fine-tune some things and catch the ball better. I love this group and I think we’ll be fun to watch in the fall.”
“We’ve made a lot of progress since we first started. We all came from the spread so it took some getting used to. But it’s coming along great,” Laulu-Pututau said. “I think we’re very deep. We’re pretty well-rounded. Coach Cahoon has brought our receiving corps a long ways since we first started. He knows how to get to us and he brings us together really well. I think we’re really deep, really consistent.”
EMAIL: jeffc@deseretnews.com