BYU football: Three defensive players to watch during spring ball

BYU football’s spring practices are right around the corner. Here are three Cougars playing on the defensive side of the ball to watch.

We’ve already covered BYU football’s offensive players to watch, so now it’s time to take a look at the Cougar defense.

Last year the story was about the shift to a 4-3. After year one, it’s not a stretch to say the move was a successful one. With a number of position changes and a lack of depth up front, BYU football allowed just 19.5 points per game.

Going into year two, the Cougars will be looking to improve their pass rush – and spring ball is their first chance to get a crack at it.

Here are three defensive players to keep an eye on during the Cougars’ spring practices.

Chris Wilcox, Sophomore Cornerback

Wilcox was a two-star prospect out of high school, but he’s a player Ed Lamb is really high on. He was torched when the Cougars hosted Toledo, but played fairly well as a backup corner/nickel corner for the rest of the year.

Still, he has a long way to go. Troy Warner and Dayan Lake will have the No. 1 and No. 2 corner spots locked up, but Wilcox could become a competent third corner/sub – and with all the man coverage BYU plays, having a guy to spell in is a huge bonus.