BYU Football Fall Camp 2014: Day 5 Recap

Day five of Camp Cougar is now in the books. Today marked the first day that BYU donned the pads, and had a full-contact practice.

For such short notice, it was another nice showing by BYU fans. About 450 fans were in attendance to take in the two-hour session.

Here are some of the things that caught my eye:

• Where is Zac Stout?

This is the second day that linebacker Zac Stout has been missing from practice. Stout is projected to be the starting Mike Linebacker when the Cougars take on UConn on August 29^th. His absence is a mystery at this time. There was no media availability to clear up the matter.

• Algie Brown is back

Algie Brown’s academic issues are now cleared up.  Brown reported to camp today for the first time.  Per NCAA rules, Brown had to wear only t-shirt and shorts as he mostly worked out on the sideline.  It’s good to have Brown back as he battles with Adam Hine for the starting job against UConn while Jamaal Williams serves his one-game suspension.

• Harvey Jackson

Jackson looks like an NFL safety out on the field. His physical stature is impressive. Not your typical BYU defensive back by any means. Had his moments where there was missed assignments in 11-on-11 work, but it’ll be hard for BYU not to have him this former Nebraska Cornhusker on the field.

• “Get Down On It” is the theme song for Devon Blackmon

There was music blaring throughout the practice. Most of the music didn’t fit the setting of a football practice. A Lady Antebellum love song, really? Then there were times where some classy tunes blared through the speakers at the SAB practice fields. Kool & the Gang’s Get Down on It was one of those classy jams. WR Devon Blackmon clearly loved it by dancing on the sideline during 11-on-11 work, and then he came in shortly after to haul in a deep touchdown pass from Christian Stewart.

We can get down with that type of production from Blackmon over the next two years.

• Starting Offensive Line

The starting offensive line today from 11-on-11 drills:

Left Tackle – De’Ondre Wesley

Left Guard – Kyle Johnson

Center – Terrance Alletto

Right Guard – Brayden Kearsley

Right Tackle – Brock Strigham

It was great to see Kearsley getting work with the first team offensive line. Haven’t seen Tuni Kanuch participate in team drills yet in fall camp, but it’s hard to argue with Kearsley being BYU’s best guard. He’s a beast off the line of scrimmage.

I wouldn’t expect Alletto to continue seeing time with the first team offensive line at center. That’ll be Edward Fusi. Fusi saw time with the second string, then freshman Tejan Koroma was in the third string.

When Kanuch comes back he will slide in at left guard. If Kyle Johnson is starting along the offensive line, BYU has some legitimate concerns with the big hogmalies up front again.

There were some miscues that this offensive line needs to clean up. False starts were an issue in today’s session. If this unit looks to make significant improvements, they can’t have those costly mistakes.

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• Speed Kills

There is a noticeable difference in Jamaal Williams this season, compared to his first two years in Provo. He plays faster. The track & field work he put in this off-season is paying off for him. He’s one of the fastest players on the team this year.

• Michael Shelton

Came away impressed with true freshman cornerback, Michael Shelton. Shelton was a mid-year signee from Raleigh, North Carolina, and you can tell that having a spring football under his belt is helping him out. Playing with a lot of confidence right now. Had an impressive interception today where he displayed his vertical jump. He’s a lock to be in the two-deep this year. Going to see significant time.

• Kicking Game

Moose Bingham is BYU’s best option at kicker for now. Wouldn’t be surprised if Andrew Mikkelsen (former Oregon State walk-on) pushes for the starting job, but Moose has a stranglehold on the job for now.

• Fred Warner & Troy Hinds

BYU has a couple of stars in the making with Warner and Hinds at linebacker. Hinds for coming off a mission has explosiveness that I was not expecting to see. Warner is going to take time, ideally he redshirts, but his athleticism is hard to ignore. His first step is impressive. Reminds me a lot of when Kyle Van Noy first came into the program in 2010.

• Robertson Daniel wasn’t 100%

Senior cornerback, Robertson Daniel didn’t appear to be 100% during today’s practice. Daniel had a noticeable limp. Daniel was pointing to his leg when talking with trainer Justin McLure after practice. Daniel needs to be at full strength for this BYU defense. He has really changed physically from last season.

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