BYU football: Cougar stories you may have missed

You’re focused on BYU football’s spring game and Pro Day. That’s understandable. But these stories may have flown under the radar.

BYU football’s NFL Pro Day is this Friday. The next day, the Cougars will take to LaVell Edwards Stadium for the spring practice/scrimmage/game.

There’s a lot going on.

But, there’s a number of smaller stories that you might have missed.

Here’s a roundup of them.

Wayne Kirby heaps high praise on Kalani Sitake

Recent defensive tackle transfer Wayne Kirby took to Twitter yesterday to talk about his new head coach.

The former Oregon Duck spoke to potential recruits and parents about the BYU atmosphere and Sitake’s character.

“To all the recruits, people, coaches, etc. out there,” Kirby tweeted. “The BYU football family here loves everyone. BYU fits everyone, whether you’re black, white, brown, etc. We as player will love and care for you, but the coaches is what really matters and I haven’t met anyone more loving, caring and kind-hearted as Kalani and the rest of our staff. With that being said, if you’re a recruit questioning if it’s the place, or a parent wondering if BYU is going to be good for your kid. Trust me, he wouldn’t be in better hands (elsewhere). #GoCougs”

Holy smokes, get this kid on the recruiting trail. He’d kill it.

In all serious, it’s really nice to see someone talk like this. Especially considering that BYU hasn’t always had the best reputation for race relations (whether the claims were true or not, it’s a bad look).

Kyle Van Noy walks by Tom Brady jersey thief?

Former BYU linebacker Kyle Van Noy won Super Bowl LI with the New England Patriots (and made one heck of a play).

But he may have missed a huge opportunity.

According to the video released by Fox Sports, Van Noy walked right by the alleged jersey thief, Martin Mauricio Ortega (at about the 1:45 spot).

Surely KVN had one last tackle in him. Too bad… could’ve been a real Super Bowl hero.

BYU football a Cinderella team?

Ben Kercheval of CBS Sports listed five potential college football Cinderella teams for 2017.

BYU football made the list.

It’s certainly possible to make a splash this season. While it may not be likely, winning four of five against LSU, Utah, Wisconsin Boise State and Mississippi State would have the Cougars crashing the playoff.

Next: Mika declares for NBA Draft

Kercheval wrote of the Cougars: “Who better to take on the title of college football’s Cinderella team than the team who arguably best personifies it?”

You’ll get no argument from us.