BOTTOM LINE: BYU Training Camp Days 1 and 2

I recently was given the opportunity through my sports radio job to attend BYU practices and gather notes/interviews for use at the station and on the website. After attending two days (Saturday Aug 7, Monday Aug 9) of training camp, I just wanted to share a few observations I've made:

Day#1 (Aug 7th)

The biggest question in camp this year is Who will be the starting QB? Here's my depth chart after day 1:

1a.Jake Heaps
Shared seemingly equal amount of snaps on first team offense with Riley Nelson. Seemed to be very confident with the offense and was able to make a few pin point perfect passes for big yards, including the last play of practice - an on the money, down the sideline 60+ yard pass to double-covered McKay Jacobson.

1b.Riley Nelson
Has strong ability to scramble and create on the run when the pocket disappears. Not as accurate as Heaps, but has a stronger line drive throw across the middle. Very familiar with offense plays and schemes, and has the division 1 experience Heaps lacks.

3. James Lark
Doesn't possess the natural talents that Heaps or Nelson do, but has the work ethic to be a terrific back up plan if needed. I wouldn't want him starting, but I'd feel fairly comfortable having him under center should the other two QB's get injured.

4. Jason Munns
His size is unreal, but he doesn't seem to be very comfortable at the QB spot. Makes mistakes, has little accuracy, and isn't able to read where a player is going to end up. We'll see what happens later on, but right now I don't see him being a big part of this race.

Other notes:

-Offense:
-Loaded at running back, with Kariya and DiLuigi splitting time. Hague, Foote, and Quezada all will see playing time.
-Tight end is full of possibility, though the spot may be filled by committee for the first part of the season until someone emerges as the better player.
-Receivers are looking very good this year. Young, strong and extremely athletic. If the QB can get the ball to them, look for the receiving corp to have a big season, led by McKay Jacobson and O'Neill Chambers.

-Defense:
-The defense, as a whole, was dominant today. Very enthusiastic, hyped up, and ready to hit somebody. They had all the momentum in the team segment.
-CB Carter Mees and DL Thomas Bryson both had exceptional practices. Bryson had two sacks and Mees 3 breakups.

Day #2 (Aug 9th)

QB Depth Chart:

1.Jake Heaps
It wasn't clear until team segment (scrimmage), but Heaps should definitely be the #1 QB on this team. He is confident, accurate, and powerful, and to watch him connect with Jacobson down the field is a thing of beauty. He has his flaws, such as his mechanical looking play fake, but he is head and shoulders above the other 3 QB's vying for the starting spot.

2.Riley Nelson
Has everything Jake Heaps doesn't, but they're attributes that don't really matter ALL that much. Ability to scramble, amazing magician-like skills on the play action fake, and division 1 experience. However, he isn't as tall/athletic/powerful as Heaps, and therefore will make a perfect back up for when Heaps makes his freshman mistakes.

3.James Lark
Nothing different from Saturday's practice.

4.Jason Munns
Reminds me of Brett Engemann. Tall and stocky, could take a hit and get back up, but really isn't a quarterback. Would have been better served to play linebacker or even tight end.

Other notes:

-Offense:
McKay Jacobson remains the favorite target, and is unbelievable at shaking off the defender on his first move. O'Neill Chambers had an off day, running wrong routes and dropping two money ball passes. Spencer Hafoka and Luke Ashworth are always reliable second looks, and newcomer Cody Hoffman is 6'4", 205 lbs. and runs like a gazelle. He will be THE guy for the next 3 years at the Y.

-Defense:
Thomas Bryson once again shined at defensive end. He had 3 hurries, a sack, and a fumble recovery in the scrimmage. The defensive backs really shut down the passing game, and the linebackers were able to contain the running game (other than two scampers by Riley Nelson for double digit gains).

THE BOTTOM LINE, it's only been 2 days of Fall practice, so not a lot can be determined yet. Jordan Pendleton, the star studded linebacker, hasn't participated in team segment scrimmage as of yet because of hampering injuries, and there are still a few players who haven't been cleared by the NCAA. Besides that, only time will uncover all the flaws/talents that haven't been shown as of yet. But it IS exciting that college football is back!!! Here we go.....


***Curtis Brown, Jan Jorgensen, and Nate Meickle were among the former BYU players I spotted at practice Tuesday. Brown sells pharmaceuticals in the Utah Valley area, Jorgensen was there as a representative of his new employer 1280 THE ZONE, and Meickle (formerly employed on KSL's broadcasts of the games as a sideline reporter) was there as a spectator. Rumors were he's going to Stanford Law School in the near future***