BYU football: Mendenhall's satisfied
Cougars wrap up spring drills with progress noted
In short, Mendenhall protected his veteran offensive players from serious injury; introduced a bevy of junior college transfers and returning missionaries to the rigors of camp; got a good look at a new secondary rotation and successfully set converted tight end Vic So'oto on the other side of the line at linebacker.
In a session that keyed on "position mastery," Mendenhall didn't seem worried about losing key seniors on defense. These included starting linebackers Bryan Kehl, Kelly Poppinga, safety Quinn Gooch and corners Kayle Buchanan and Ben Criddle.
"I think we're at a point in our program where we can insert upcoming talent and not have a drop-off in performance," is how Mendenhall explained it to reporters.
Offensively, BYU's offense looked like it should have — it was dominating at times with Austin Collie looking as prepared as he's ever been in a Cougar uniform. While MWC freshman of the year Harvey Unga was used sparingly, veteran tight ends Dennis Pitta and Andrew George were significantly bigger play makers than a year ago.
On the defensive side of the ball, Mendenhall watched Brandon Howard and Scott Johnson step in for Buchannan and Criddle and fight off G Pittman and Brandon Bradley in what should be a similar coverage ability in coordinator Jaime Hill's zone-oriented secondary behind the 3-4 front.
Four-game starting safety Kellen Fowler has earned the spot vacated by Gooch, and David Tafuna, sidelined last August with a foot injury, slid into a safety spot when redshirt freshman Jordon Pendleton suffered a rib injury and sat out the final week of spring.
Mendenhall judged his transfers as equal trainees and was overall pleased with their effort in a new system and Division I play. These players included Snow transfers DT Tevita Hola, a 6-1, 310 inside tackle, safety Andrew Rich and Coleby Clawson.
"It's been pretty challenging, coming into a new program and adjust the level of play and everything," said Hola, "It's been quite a change."
From beginning to end, Hola said it is tough to guage how far he progressed. "I haven't really got the whole gist of the game, I'm still adjusting, but I feel pretty confident about my strength and ability at this level.
"It's more of a matter of understanding the schemes and getting used to them."
Brock Richardson, a walk-on nose tackle, also received enough insertion with Hola and veteran Rick Wolfley and senior Mosese Foketi to allow an evaluation by the staff.
Hola said from a physical standpoint, the transition from Snow to getting after BYU's offensive line was not huge. "I've always been there physically, the hard part is more running to the ball, more hustling; it's more of a matter of over-conditioning myself to be ready to handle that part of it."
E-mail: dharmon@desnews.com
Recent comments
Why not dream big? I don't know if BYU can get the N.C. but I...
Conejo | April 21, 2008 at 5:50 p.m.
One very serious outstanding problem in the quest for perfection:...
"Perfection" | April 20, 2008 at 2:43 p.m.
I'm worried about Fowler starting in the secondary. He was not...
Spud Man | April 19, 2008 at 1:19 p.m.
