BYU camp notes

Fab freshmen

Don't be surprised to see a couple of true freshmen returning kickoffs when BYU opens the season.

Mike Hague and McKay Jacobson have impressed Cougar coaches with their speed and ability to return kicks. As a senior at Brighton High, Hague returned three kicks for touchdowns last year. During his prep career at Carroll High in Texas, Jacobson returned three punts for touchdowns.

Both Hague and Jacobson are seeing a lot of playing time with the first-team offense as well. Hague hauled in a 70-yard touchdown in the last scrimmage and Jacobson caught a TD pass in the first scrimmage.

Coach Bronco Mendenhall seems confident with heaping big-time responsibility on a couple of teenagers. "If I play them on offense, I'll play them at kick returner," said Mendenhall. "It looks like they'll both play on offense. That's what we're going to do."

Linebacker competition

In addition to the defensive line and the secondary, outside linebacker is a hotly contested position on BYU's defense.

Mendenhall likes the depth he enjoys at that spot.

"When you have David Nixon, Bryan Kehl, Chris Bolden and Kelly Poppinga and Gary Lovely as a strong fifth, it couldn't be any better," he said.

Senior Cameron Jensen is one of the few defensive players with a starting job nailed down. Mendenhall said Friday Jensen has exhibited the best leadership of any player he's ever coached.

Walking wounded

Wide receivers Nate Meikle and Bryce Mahuika are close to participating in contract drills, Mendenhall said. Both players have been out the past week or so nursing injuries.

Safety Dustin Gabriel has also been held out as he deals with a lingering headache. Cole Miyahira has been playing well in his place, Mendenhall said.

The Cougars have lost two players for the season — Louisville transfer Brandon Bradley, a cornerback; and Vanderbilt transfer Tom Sorenson, a center. Bradley suffered a knee injury just days before camp opened while Sorenson sustained his season-ending knee injury Monday.