Fall camp is nearing (as is the launch of the new Cougar Legion website) and incoming freshmen and will be testing their skills against the upperclassmen. The newcomers, however, aren't the only ones looking to get playing time. Several positions are going to be hotly contested this fall and we'll give you a rundown:
Field Corner: With the departure of speedy cornerback Justin Robinson, there is now a spot in the secondary. Boundary corner, Ben Criddle, is too good to lose his spot, so the other CB's will be fighting for a chance to start. Kayle Buchanan is the likely starter, but I think Brandon Bradley or Brandon Howard have a good shot of stealing it. Buchanan is a great hitter but is injured quite often. I think this will be one of the very last questions answered by Fall camp and should be up for grabs until the week before Arizona.
My 3 Cents Prediction: Brandon Bradley.
Defensive Tackle: Russell Tialavea had to sit out the game last year against Arizona, and *knock on wood* barring injury will get his shot at the Wildcats this year in Provo. Tialavea is a lock at tackle, but the depth chart behind him has many fans a little concerned. Tialavea is 300 lbs and the only other tackle above 300 lbs. is Mark Fitu, a walk-on (310 lbs.) The rest (Mosese Foketi, David Angilau and Eathyn Manumaleuna) are in the 275 range, which is really just a big DE. I think the battle will mostly be between Foketi and a freshman. Foketi redshirted last year and should be ready to battle his way into the rotation. BYU rotates frequently along the defensive line and we will likely see 3 DT's each game.
My 3 Cents Prediction: Mosese Foketi will win the backup spot.
H-Receiver: Bryce Mahuika played this position last year and through spring, but reports are that he is moving to the outside to the X and Z position. This leaves a wide open spot if true. I think that Daniel Trevort, Reed White, Cortny Barton, J.J. DiLuigi and Ryan Kessman will get a shot here. This will be the most interesting battle in the off season on the offense.
My 3 Cents Prediction: Daniel Trevort (had a great spring.)
Quarterback: The battle is over, right? Essentially, for the starter. It would take a fantastic fall by Brenden Gaskins or James Lark to usurp the throne, but I think Max Hall is the man this year. That leaves Gaskins, Lark and incoming freshman Jason Munns to fight for the back-up spot. Whoever wins is an injury away from leading the Cougars, so they will be going all out to prove themselves.
My 3 Cents Prediction: Lark. Sounds a bit crazy, but hear me out: He has now been with the team for a year and has already redshirted. Gaskins is a sophomore with a redshirt available. If he redshirts, he is now in position to take over when Hall graduates. Munns would be better served this year as the #3 QB and taking his redshirt after his mission. Lark would have to prove himself equal to or better than Gaskins for any of this to happen, but this is my "upset" pick.
My 3 Cents: Today My 3 Cents will likely pass 65,000 views since its beginnings in April. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who has commented, read, clicked on sponsors or otherwise supported My 3 Cents over the last several months. A special thank you to those who clicked yesterday, it was our best earning day in our short lived history. We look forward to providing BYU football updates and insight as we move into the 2007 football season!
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8 comments:
Lark redshirted last year. He is on a mission now.
Lark did redshirt (as mentioned in the article) but is back with the team. He did not leave on a mission and his mission plans are unknown at this time.
The Mahuika rumor of permanently going to the outside is just that. He will be in the slot H position. I know tbs has talked about the outside but he will be inside.
I think the only way this could happen is if coaches can't find anyone they feel is good enough to be the fourth wide out to rotate on the outside with allen, collie, reed and they feel someone else is better than mahuika on the inside. Thus facilitating the need and ability for the change.
I have heard from more than one source that he has moved outside.
If Mahuika doesn't move outside, he will likely get the nod at H-back, but I wouldn't be surprised if someone else pushes for time there if he does stay.
Everyone's got an opinion! I love this... trying not to get too excited with a month to go. What are the chances that Austin Holt is lured away by the big boys and doesn't stick around in Provo?
His dad says that his commitment is firm. I personally take him for his word. Holt is attending camps throughout the country proving he is the very best TE there is, not looking for more offers (he already has offers from top programs.)
I am not too worried about the backup QB, as much as i am about the TE position, we need to have a fast, tought TE, who do we have?
Carl: I think BYU fans will be pleasantly surprised by the 3 TE's we have this year.
So'oto was a big name recruit and is a dominant blocker and can catch the ball, think of a slimmer Coates.
George is a good blocker, but hands of glue and is fast. He should be a contributor to the TE's.
Pitta is the one you will likely hear about the most. Allen and Kehl, leaders on offense and defense, both picked him out as the guy to watch. Reports are that he ran his 40 in the same range as Reed and Collie, BYU's main deep threats.
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