BYU Football: What we learned this week in Fall Camp

BYU Football held their second scrimmage of Fall Camp on Saturday.

To say that BYU Football hasn’t been very open to the public this Fall Camp would be an understatement. While the coaches have consistently said that they would be open about decisions on various position groups, they have been all but that by consistently saying that they are starting to see separation, but not going into who is separating themselves.

Asking the same questions over and over however start to get slightly different answers and with the combined practice footage fans have now been able to see, it is becoming more clear the order of the quarterback depth chart, as well as other players we could end up seeing playing WR, DB and other positions.

Quarterbacks

Earlier this week Aaron Roderick said that he talked with the three quarterbacks who are fighting for a starting position and told them where he saw them at the point and essentially told them that they had until Monday at the soonest and Wednesday at the latest to prove him wrong.

While the highlights provided during Saturday’s scrimmage were limited, it did appear that Jaren Hall made some really spectacular throws including a nice off platform touchdown pass to RB Mason Fakahua, another off platform TD to Hobbs Nyberg, as well as what appeared to be a long 35-45 yard bomb to Puka Nacua. While of course we didn’t see every snap, it at least appears that Jaren Hall didn’t do anything to lose his likely top spot.

Something else interesting that may or may not be something to look into is that every time the coaches refer to the quarterbacks, including on Saturday, Jaren’s name is always mentioned first before Romney or Conover.

Receivers

For the first time all Fall Camp we were able to see Puka Nacua get some live reps in an 11-on-11 situation. Aside from the long catch from Hall, highlights also showed him getting some reps at what appeared to be the slot receiver position with some slant and cross routes. This would be interesting because last season Neil Pau’u played the slot, Romney played the X receiver and Dax Milne played Z. At least for now, it appears that Romney may be X, Nacua the slot and Pau’u the Z.

Chris Jackson, Hobbs Nyberg, and Keenu Hill have all received really high praise this week from the coaches. Nyberg is a player that has shot up the depth chart from being fourth or fifth string slot receiver to now being a potential third stringer who may end up with a few catches this year.

Linebackers

Of all the positions this week, the linebackers seemed to the be position that won the week. In all of the highlights that we saw it was always the linebackers coming up with interceptions and pass breakups. Linebackers coach Kevin Clune said that this week he has seen a lot of progress and is impressed by the progress of Ben Bywater and the leadership of Keenan Pili and Payton Wilgar.

The linebackers are going to have to play very well this year with a young and inexperienced defensive line that fans hope will be able to exceed expectations.

Overall Progress

The reality of Fall Camp and Spring Football is that in most cases, the team is boosted up more than they should be, and this goes for all 130 FBS programs, FCS schools and even high schools. What we have been able to see and learn is some really great passes, catches, interceptions and team energy.

The Cougars will have one more full week of Fall Camp before turning their attention fully to Arizona. Up to this point the focus has been establishing the offense/defense, figuring the depth chart, and getting into “football mode”. This final week will be the first and only week that will fine tune the game  plans with the starters and backups.