Jacobson's just eager to get back in the game

PROVO, Utah — Conspicuously absent from BYU's spring drills are two talented wide receivers — Austin Collie and McKay Jacobson.

Collie decided to skip his senior year and turn pro after becoming

the school's all-time leading receiver last fall. Jacobson, who turned

in a solid season as a freshman in 2006, returned home from his mission

to Japan a few months ago. But not long before the start of spring

practices, he suffered a hamstring injury that has sidelined him. "It's fun to be back (at BYU). It's hard to have an injury and not

be able to play after working hard during the off-season," Jacobson

said. "I'm just trying to take care of it now and trying to get ready.

My goal is to be ready for our first game. That's what I'm working for."

The 5-foot-11, 192-pound sophomore is expected to start

participating in non-contact drills Monday, March 30, running routes and catching

passes. Then he will be re-evaluated.

"If I have a say in it, I'll be a lot more conservative than

aggressive," coach Bronco Mendenhall said about Jacobson's status. "I

don't want a setback with him. He's anxious to come out so we'll

evaluate him on Monday."

Jacobson, who has been working with senior quarterback Max Hall

during the winter, said he would be disappointed if he weren't able to

see action this spring.

"It would be something I wouldn't want to happen," he said. "I

graduated early from high school and went on my mission when I did so I

could be back here and have the time to prepare. During spring ball,

we're not going to win any games. But it's a time to get better, a time