BYU Football position preview: Receivers

BOCA RATON, FLORIDA – DECEMBER 22: Gunner Romney #18 of the Brigham Young Cougars in action against the Central Florida Knights at FAU Stadium on December 22, 2020 in Boca Raton, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) /

BYU Football lost their top receiver from last years team, yet the receivers may be even better this year.

Last season, Zach Wilson had one of the most historic seasons of all time. While much credit goes to him since he was the one ultimately making the decisions, scrambling and throwing the ball, his receivers also deserve quite a bit of credit for getting open, making defenders miss tackles, and making spectacular catches.

After the end of the season it appeared that while some production would be back, with the somewhat surprising departure of Dax Milne, the Cougars appeared to have a receiving core that was good enough to pick up first downs, but not dominate defenses. That all changed when Puka and Samson Nacua announced that they would transfer from their Pac 12 schools to BYU. Immediately this group went from lacking last year’s talent to potentially being better and more dangerous.

Experience Returning from 2020

Starters: 2

Returning Production: 1,683 receiving yards, 8 TD’s

Likely Starters: Puka Nacua, Gunner Romney, Samson Nacua OR Neil Pau’u

Prediction

As long as the quarterback can get the ball to the receivers, this could be a historic season for the Cougars.

Puka Nacua is a deep threat averaging 19.9 yards per reception over his career.
Gunner Romney averaged 94.3 yards per game when not injured last season.
Samson Nacua had more than 1,000 career receiving yards at Utah, a team that doesn’t throw often.
Neil Pau’u quietly was second on the team in catches last season with 45.
Chris Jackson, Keanu Hill, Kody Epps and Brayden Cosper all got multiple reps last season.

Honestly, if you are a defense who do you prepare for? If you put a lockdown corner on any of these guys it will open up opportunities for the other guys. If the defense decides to man up on every receiver and provide support with safeties, Tyler Allgeier and Lopini Katoa will just run all over the defense. And don’t forget about Dallin Holker, Isaac Rex and Masen Wake who will be causing issues as well from the tight end position.

All in all, if the offense goes quick and the quarterback can throw accurately to these guys, I am calling it right now, BYU is going to break the BYU record in receiving yards this season.

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