Cougars' tight end corps could punish opponents

For a change-up, Daniel Coats caught a short pass from John Beck, turned upfield and waited for Jonny Harline to position himself as the lead blocker, and the two BYU tight ends plowed their way down the sideline, mowing down defenders.

You could call it the poundability factor.

It also works the other way, and Coats is one of the best blockers on the Cougar team.

Perhaps the most obvious, standout feature of the Cougars this spring is the tight end position, where Harline and Coats are poised for what many believe will be stellar senior seasons. Backing them up, but making their way onto the field in myriad ways are sophomore Vic So'oto and freshman Andrew George.

These guys are pretty good, and they've got one another's back, according to Coats.

"We aren't looking over our shoulder at all, we're supporting each other because when one does well, we all excel as a team," Coats said.

At the center of it all is offensive coordinator Robert Anae, who coaches the foursome. Anae didn't recruit any of them, but he knows a stable when he sees it. Look for Anae to find a way to get as many of these four on the field at a time next fall, ranging from big wide-outs and double-tight formations to placing a rangy sure-handed guy like George in the slot as an inside receiver to complement Nate Meikle.

Triggered by a quick-strike passing attack and experienced John Beck at the reins, these big receivers are a formidable wave for would-be tacklers. They come at a fast pace. They are quick, and they meet the highlight/replay test. It is a feature that has allowed Anae to distance his offense from that of Texas Tech.

BYU's tight ends are cash cards in Anae's schemes, which have evolved the past 15 months since he arrived in Provo from Lubbock. When these guys cut and turn to the ball, if they're not fronted, they immediately gain an advantage over a defender as monster targets.

When backed into a corner about use of the four, Anae — a man of few words — explained: "If we do (use more than two or three in a formation), we're certainly capable."

It's a lot of beef thrown at defenders.

Head coach Bronco Mendenhall, who directs the defense, knows the cause and effect of these sets of hooves. He's seen 13 sessions of them. His linebackers are the strength of his new 3-4 front, and they struggle to keep up with the lay-down-the-law firm of Harline, Coats, So'oto and George.