BYU football preview: Cougars by position
OffenseQUARTERBACK
Max Hall 6-1, 201, Jr.
IT'S TIME: Hall, who passed for 3,848 yards and 25 touchdowns last season, returns as the starter. It's imperative that Hall remain healthy for BYU to have the kind of special season they are seeking because there's a definite drop-off to backups Brenden Gaskins, Kurt McEuen and Stephen Covey.
RUNNING BACKS
Harvey Unga 6-0, 239, So.
Fui Vakapuna 6-1, 253, Sr.
IT'S TIME: Unga was the MWC's freshman of the year after rushing for 1,227 yards and scoring 13 touchdowns. Last year's starter, Manase Tonga, was ruled academically ineligible, meaning much of the fullback workload will fall to Fui Vakapuna, who has been injury-prone the last couple of years. Freshman J.J. DiLuigi and Wayne Latu should make an impact as well.
TIGHT END
Dennis Pitta 6-5, 250, Jr.
IT'S TIME: BYU is blessed with a pair of talented tight ends in Pitta and Andrew George. Both are tall, athletic playmakers. There are times when the Cougars will use both weapons at the same time.
WIDE RECEIVERS
Austin Collie 6-2, 206, Jr.
Michael Reed 6-1, 202, Sr.
Luke Ashworth 6-2, 195, So.
IT'S TIME: The Cougars are deep at this position with a bevy of sure-handed pass-catchers. Collie entered fall camp with a stress fracture in his leg. Will he be healthy and at full-strength by the start of the season and stay that way?
OFFENSIVE LINE
Matt Reynolds 6-6, 321, Fr.
Ray Feinga 6-5, 348, Sr.
Dallas Reynolds 6-5, 320, Sr.
David Oswald 6-8, 330, Sr.
Travis Bright 6-5, 313, Sr.
IT'S TIME: One of the strengths of this team is the O-line. Dallas Reynolds has slid over from left tackle to center after projected starter Tom Sorensen was sidelined during fall camp with a shoulder injury. Feinga, Oswald and Bright are each solid. But the O-line will have to improve on pass protection. The Cougars gave up 20 sacks last season.
Defense
CORNERBACKS
Brandon Howard, 5-9, 164, junior
G Pittman, 5-10, 189, freshman
Scott Johnson, 5-11, 184, junior
Brandon Bradley 6-2, 201, sophomore
IT'S TIME: It's been four years since BYU lost a boatload of defensive recruits to off-field issues. Field corners Howard and Pittman join a cadre of athletes who are on scholarship to vie for this position manned by walk-on Kayle Buchannan last season. In a heated battle for who starts at boundary corner, Johnson has held on through two-a-days, but Bradley's athleticism could bring him on the field for situational coverage especially inside the 20-yard line where his size gives him an edge.
Recent comments
I don't think he'll be playing again next season.
Unga really…Latu is a senior | Aug. 25, 2008 at 4:54 p.m.
WHAT are you talking about? He's not leaving early. If he was that…
Re: Last Chance to See Unga | Aug. 25, 2008 at 4:44 p.m.
Enjoy Unga this season while you can and enjoy watching the future…
Last Chance to See Unga | Aug. 24, 2008 at 10:04 p.m.
