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This is a week of whittling down a depth chart, solidifying position competition and making a preliminary travel list for the trip to Tampa Bay to face South Florida on Sept. 3. In other news, the BYU athletic department announced a new NIL resource for its athletes, taking advantage of digital NIL opportunities. Read about this in Jay Drew’s piece here.
Here are some of our football camp coverage stories:
- Goal met: no turnovers in first scrimmage (Dick Harmon)
- What opposing coaches are saying about Hall, other QBs (Ryan McDonald)
- What are Sitake’s priorities in Week 2 (Jay Drew)
- D and O neck-and-neck after first week (Jay Drew)
- Silver lining to LB injuries (Jay Drew)
- Former TEs describe threat of Holker, Rex (Dave McCann)
- Why Roderick loves his no-name offense (Jay Drew)
- What Vandy transfer DB brings (Jay Drew)
Cougar Insiders predictions
Question of the week: Jaren Hall told the media after a practice session he believed this year’s BYU defense is the best he has gone up against in the five years he’s been at BYU. Is this valid or just enthusiasm by a team leader?
Jay Drew: When I first heard Jaren Hall say “Luckily, our defense is one of the best defenses I have gone against in my five years at BYU” after the Cougars’ first scrimmage last Saturday, I found myself nodding in agreement. Upon second thought, I am not so sure. So I’m going to chalk it up to a respected team leader saying the right things after a head-to-head encounter with that defense.
Why am I a bit skeptical of Hall’s pronouncement? For starters, the Cougars don’t have a lot of playmakers on defense. There’s no Kyle Van Noy or Sione Takitaki in this group. Sure, there are some solid players such as Keenan Pili, Payton Wilgar and Malik Moore. But nobody strikes fear into the hearts of opposing quarterbacks.
Second, BYU doesn’t have an experienced strong safety. Moore needs a capable running mate. And third, I’m not convinced that this team will be able to put together a ferocious pass rush. Time will tell.
Dick Harmon: This is certainly a “show me” situation. The last time we witnessed this team at a bowl game, an injury-riddled defense couldn’t get off the field. In the win against USC, offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick said he didn’t recognize any of BYU’s defenders. But I have a little more optimism for this defense because the core linebacking crew is back and if Keenan Pili and Payton Wilgar can stay healthy, I think the front seven will be able to pressure for a couple of reasons.
Kalani Sitake said his corners are the fastest since he’s been at BYU, which then enables a lot of man coverage, a key in creating pressure. I think linemen Gabe Summers, who is bigger, Tyler Batty, who is healthier, Caden Haws, Earl Tuioti-Mariner and Atunaisa Mahe will join John Nelson and Bruce Mitchell in giving BYU’s defensive front some considerable size and more athleticism. A sound rotation could keep this group fresh and effective. BYU has enough speedy corners to exchange bodies for a suitable safety to play alongside a talented Malik Moore.
I do think Jaren Hall was genuinely throwing the D a bone in his quote because in the first scrimmage the offense had a tough time scoring the entire session. He did speak from daily evidence of his opinion and underscored it with what he saw at scrimmage.
Cougar tales
With NFL preseason games underway, here are some stories that involve former Cougar players:
- Tomasi Laulile is no longer a 49er.
- A knee injury to Zach Wilson means it will take a few weeks for him to get back in the lineup.
- Alex Barcello will play in Europe in this report.
- Jamall Williams dishes in “Hard Knocks.”
Plus, BYU announced a LaVell Edwards Stadium enhancement that will cater to its corporate partners.
From the archives
From the Twitterverse
Extra points
- BYU commit pulls hat trick in prep opener (KSL Sports)
- BYU to face familiar QB in opener at USF (Deseret News)
- Breaking down film of scrimmage (KSL Sports)
Fanalyst
Comments from Deseret News readers:
Since there was no P5 money, recruits and high-paid coaches, why did the Cougs beat five Pac-12 teams?
The team living on crumbs defeated those with the pot of gold.
— Worf
Heads are going to explode over on CB (Cougarboard.com) in the echo chamber when they read this headline and some choice quotes about the defense.
When Jaren Hall says this is the best defense he has faced in 5 years at BYU — I wish he had clarified whether that included opposing defenses or just BYU defenses. That would make some heads explode if he meant including opposing defenses. That would even explode heads of the haters that frequent this comment section!
— Cougarbib2
Up next
Aug. 18 | 6 p.m. | Soccer | Cal State Fullerton | @Fullerton, California
Aug. 26 | noon | Women’s volleyball | vs. Rider | @Provo
Aug. 26 | 4 p.m. | Soccer | vs. Ohio State | @Columbus, Ohio
Aug. 26 | 7 p.m. | Women’s volleyball | vs. Duke | @Provo
Aug. 27 | 7 p.m. | Women’s volleyball | vs. Washington State | @Provo
Sept. 3 | 2 p.m. | Football | vs. South Florida | @Tampa Bay, Florida
