"I anticipate a lot of coverage this year," Mitchell said. "I'm sure coach Mendenhall will get after people and pressure them, but he also expects our corners to be masters of their positions and do their job. I'd expect our corners to be very good technicians and be athletic."

Soelberg, a MWC 100-meter sprint champion, leads the way in experience with the cornerbacks.

"He's getting better as a position master, and the other players look up to him," Mitchell said. "Kayle, pound for pound, is the perfect specimen I want out there for a corner. He has the quickness, the lateral movement, strength, height I want out there. We've just got to get him on the field and keep him healthy."

Hale, according to Mitchell, needs some rest to heal his shoulder, which continues to pop out.

Of all the youths, Robinson and Howard are closest to making a contribution. They'll have to beat out senior O'Neil Howell, who has played at No. 1 opposite Soelberg for most of the two-a-day sessions.

"How can you evaluate a kid if he's always on the sideline?" Mitchell said of Howell. "Now he's getting his chance, and it's only fair he be judged for what he does on the field."

Mitchell describes the cornerback group as guys he hopes emulate everything he tried to be as a corner for the Cougars and Atlanta Falcons of the NFL. Mitchell started for the Cougars as a freshman after arriving from Waco, Texas.

"I hope they have my personality," Mitchell said. "Relentless, getting after it play after play after play and establishing a realization that they control the score of the game. I hope they have a sense of urgency. I hope they are all better than me. I hope they're leaps and bounds better than me."

After Wednesday's practice Robinson said he has a lot of work to do, but he's got enough done, and with three days to polish up a game plan for Boston College, he'll be ready if called upon. He anticipates being in a rotation with Hale and Howell.

"The guy who makes plays will be out there, and the others have to be ready to back them up," Robinson said.

With a goal of being a coach someday, Robinson said he loves BYU's 3-3-5 defense. "I'd definitely run it. It's a complicated defense, but it's capable of getting the job done. I've got it all down, understanding it all. Right now we're running Boston College's formations. Other than that, I think we're good to go."

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E-mail: dharmon@desnews.com