BYU football: Three under-the-radar Cougars for 2017

BYU football has an important – and monstrous – 2017 slate. These three under-the-radar Cougars will likely play a huge role.

BYU football’s spring practices are wrapped up, and we didn’t learn too much. We know the defense is still great, that Matt Bushman will make some plays at tight end, and that the Cougar linebackers are really good.

But now the Cougars go away. Until the fall. Over the next four months we’ll be stuck speculating, wishing and waiting.

Once the fans rise and shout, and the Cougars return, they’ll be facing a brutal 2017 schedule. LSU, Wisconsin, Utah, Boise State and Mississippi State highlight the year.

If BYU football wins four of those five, a New Year’s Six bowl berth is a very real possibility.

These three Cougars, while flying under the radar, may play a huge role in the fall.

Chris Wilcox

Wilcox got plenty of hype from Ed Lamb, but the freshman was torched against Toledo. From that point on, he was never really the same player.

Expect things to change in 2017-18.

Defensive coordinator Ilaisa Tuiaki mentioned Wilcox as a player that stepped up throughout the spring slate a number of times.

In fact, the coaching staff has been so impressed with the cornerback depth, that Troy Warner and Dayan Lake might be moved to the safety spots. The Cougars have some real athletes in the secondary – which is something that can’t always be said – so that’s exciting.