BYU football: White's focus is catching punts

PROVO — For now, it's a thankless job. But BYU's Reed White is more than happy to do it.

The senior wide receiver, in an attempt to hone his skills, stayed after practice Monday to catch high, arching footballs — designed to simulate punts — out of the Jugs machine. He has spent plenty of extra time on that part of his game, catching punt after punt after punt. White's hard work in fall camp has been noticed by coach Bronco Mendenhall and White is being rewarded for his efforts.

Asked about who will handle punt return duties this season, Mendenhall said that it would be difficult to remove White from that role.

"I'm not sure you can blast him out of there with dynamite because he's outworking his opponents," he said. "Is he the most talented? That could be up for debate. But all we need is 10 yards per return. If he's getting 20 catches before anyone else gets out here, my tendency is to trust him."

Last season, Bryce Mahuika returned most of the punts, returning 21 punts for 143 yards (6.8 yards per attempt). But Mahuika has missed much of fall camp with injuries. In 2007, White returned two punts for five yards. Still, White is making the most of his opportunity to show what he can do. He just wants to be on the field somehow, someway.

"I've pretty much made it clear from the beginning that my role here is whatever it needs to be, in wherever the coaches or players see fit that I might contribute the best," said the 5-foot-10, 190- pounder from Gilbert, Ariz. "That's kind of the role I'll take on. Whether it be punt returns or kick returns or offense, or wherever, I'm just ready to go, wherever they need me."

During the offseason, White did all he could to be considered for more playing time. The players who receive opportunities to perform on the field "won't always be the demonstrated ability on the field," Mendenhall explained. "Sometimes it will be the best work ethic and diligence. Our program is built on that. It will take a combination of ability and work ethic for a player to be trusted in those roles."

White is the cousin of Cougar quarterback Max Hall and the son of former Dallas Cowboys QB and former Utah Blaze coach Danny White. He transferred from Arizona State a couple of years ago and has been trying to find his role within BYU's program since that time.

"I never intended to come to BYU," White said. "So when I came, I had to walkon and I've had to prove myself that way. It hasn't always been exactly what I wanted it to be, but at the same time, I'm happy where I'm at and ready at any opportunity to contribute wherever they'll allow me to do so."