BYU Football: Phil Steele Releases 2014 Preseason All-Independent Team
By Mitch Harper
Nov 9, 2013; Madison, WI, USA; Brigham Young Cougars offensive lineman
Solomone Kafu(73) during the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium. Wisconsin won 27-17. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
The Bible of College Football magazines is coming soon. Phil Steele’s College Football Preview is a must for all fans, and as the cover suggests, it’s the book the experts cannot do without!
Steele has been releasing bits and pieces of his preview the past few days. Over the weekend he had BYU ranked #38 in his top 40 rankings. Today, Steele released his All-Independent team. Since there’s only four teams in the FBS Independent ranks there’s a strong representation of BYU guys.
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Taysom Hill and Jamaal Williams are both on the 1st team offense, no question there. The other offensive player from BYU on the 1st team was incoming JUCO transfer, Devon Blackmon. This is the kind of selection that separates Steele from the rest. Most magazines are not factoring Blackmon into their previews, while Steele has him as BYU’s best pass catcher in 2014.
One of the most surprising things from Steele over the past week is his praise for BYU’s offensive line. The position that all BYU fans would say is the weak link in the Cougar offensive attack in 2014 is considered by Steele as the 15th best line in the country. Yeah, that’s not a typo. I feel BYU’s offensive line is going to be improved, they have to be right? But to say they are the 15th best offensive line in the country is a stretch at this point. Three linemen are on Steele’s Independent 2nd Team: Solomone Kafu, Tuni Kanuch, and Michael Yeck.
On the defensive side of the football Steele lists five BYU players on the 1st Team. The most among the independents.
In the same article put out by Steele, he also released the preseason All-Mountain West Conference teams. 12 of the 22 players on Steele’s 1st team MWC squad will face BYU this season.
Phil Steele’s College Football Preview hits newsstands on June 24th.