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New faces in new places were the order of the day Monday in Provo, as the BYU football team opened its last day of a camp two-a-days with a morning session at the outdoor practice fields.
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Due to multiple injuries, three players have been added to the 105-man roster, while at the same time, three players have been assigned to the defensive backs group--a position group hit hard by injuries over recent months.
Newcomers to the 105 are Khalil Bell, a 5'8" freshman from Marietta, Ga., who was slated to join the 123-man roster when school began; Johnny Linehan, a 6'0" freshman from New Zealand who starred for the BYU Rugby team in 2012-13; and Luke Nelson, a 6'1" redshirt freshman from Shoreline, Wash.
Linehan gained renown as "Johnny Rugby" during this past season; his new head Bronco Mendenhall said "he's now 'Johnny Football' for us...maybe that's premature, but he's practicing. Having a hard time getting enough oxygen, but did get his helmet on right."
Linehan and Bell will compete in the cornerbacks group, joined by Michael Davis, who is moving over from wide receiver to corner. Eric Thornton made the same move last week, after the season-ending injury suffered by starting corner Jordan Johnson. Nelson will be a wide receiver.
Meantime, the injury update on cornerback Adam Hogan confirmed tears in three quad muscles; he's expected to be out three to four weeks.
After recapping all of the personnel comings and goings, Mendenhall said today that "the waiver wire is active here at BYU."
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On Monday morning, Davis was running as the No. 2 field corner behind Robertson Daniel, and intercepted a Taysom Hill pass during the 11-on-11 portion of practice that the media was allowed to observe.
"He is learning," said Mendenhall of Davis on Monday, "certainly can run, has nice size...the early reports are he looks good."
About the interception, Mendenhall said "there is discrepancy whether he knew the offensive play...I'm just saying it was a nice play, but it will probably be 50-50 as you talk to the team about that."
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Mendenhall said "we had three-deep in the secondary today, which was good," noting that lack of depth in defensive backfield prevented a planned full scrimmage this past Saturday. The coach said the bulk of that scrimmage work has been pushed back to this Wednesday, when the team will hold its final such exercise of camp. Game prep for Virginia is scheduled to begin on Thursday.
You can hear post-practice interviews with Mendenhall, offensive coordinator Robert Anae, running backs coach Mark Atuaia, tight end Kaneakua Friel, quarterback Ammon Olsen, linebacker Tyler Beck, and defensive back Jordan Johnson, in "Cougar Cuts," above left.
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Mendenhall noted that corners Trevor Bateman (knee), Dallin Leavitt (hip flexor), Eric Thornton (hip flexor) and Mike Hague (knee) all practiced today, helping the secondary depth.
Offensive lineman Edward Fusi has yet to join the team; his junior college scholastic issues have prevented him from finalizing admission to BYU.
Asked if Fusi will eventually be admitted, Mendenhall said "late signs are 'yes'; when, I can't tell you."
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The morning's session-ending 11-on-11 period featured running back Jamaal Williams rushing three times for 40-plus yards, including a 31-yard touchdown scamper.
"Jamaal's good to where you don't notice him, you just expect it," said Mendenhall today. "He has just been consistent, steady and good, the whole camp."
Running back Michael Alisa (arm) returned to activity today; Mendenhall said he'll have to fight off Adam Hine for reps behind Williams. "Between those three, I feel pretty good with the depth."
Atuaia said besides those three, "of all my core (running backs), I think Paul (Lasike) has been the biggest bright spot to date. He, like Jamaal (Williams) hasn't missed practice; he's been here every day and has progressively gotten better as camp has gone along."
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Anae confirmed that he plans to call offensive plays from the field this season; he said QB coach Jason Beck and WR coach Guy Holliday will be in the booth.
"Jason Beck is really skilled from up above," said Mendenhall. "That combination will be a good one for us. It will be good to have (Anae), security-wise and motivation-wise, on the field."
Anae said that after two-plus weeks of camp, "I do believe we are headed in the right direction."
"We are done (with new things) until we get to Virginia (game prep)," said Anae on Monday. "Now it's rehashing the stuff we already have in. Anytime you do that, there's a noticeable shift to going fast. From here on, until Wednesday, it's all stuff we've already done."
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Watching the morning practice while hobbling with a knee brace, Jordan Johnson said "it's been really tough; it's not something you ever plan for," about losing his junior season to injury.
"I'm in a better spot mentally, (but) it's tough to cope with," said Johnson. "I wish it had never happened, but it did--it's life, you just have to move on. I'll get my surgery soon and (just) take it day-by-day."
"It's really unfortunate situation for me; I can't get this year back. I redshirted, not due to injury, so I'm (going to) lose this year."
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The following on-field depth was observed in Monday's 11-on-11 session:
DEFENSE
LE: Bronson Kaufusi/Logan Taele/Austin Holt/Theodore King
NT: Eathyn Manumaleuna/Marques Johnson/Meti Taliauli/JonRyheem Peoples
RE: Remington Peck/Michael Doman/Kalolo Utu/Tomasi Laulile
OLB: Alani Fua/Jherremya Leuta-Douyere/Sae Tautu
OLB: Kyle Van Noy/Manoa Pikula/Trajan Pili
ILB: Uani Unga/Austen Jorgensen/Teu Kautai
ILB: Spencer Hadley/Tyler Beck/Matthew Relei
CB: Robertson Daniel/Michael Davis/Jake Ziolkowski
CB: Skye PoVey or Dallin Leavitt (DNP)/Eric Thornton/Trevor Bateman
S: Daniel Sorensen (1st-team, DNP)/Blake Morgan/Kai Nacua/DJ Doman
S: Craig Bills (1st team, DNP)/Michael Wadsworth/Drew Reilly/Scott Lefrandt
Note that Manoa Pikula shifted from inside to outside linebacker, while Spencer Hadley moved from outside to inside.
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OFFENSIVE LINE
LT: Ryker Mathews/Thomas Shoaf or Cole Jones
LG: Solomone Kafu/Tui Crichton
C: Terrance Alletto/Brayden Kearsley
RG: Brock Stringham/Kyle Johnson
RT: Michael Yeck/De'Ondre Wesley
Manaaki Vaitai was in uniform, but I didn't observe him with either the first or second team today.
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Random notes:
Punt returners today were JD Falslev, Skyler Ridley and Eric Thornton.
Officials were on hand for the 11-on-11 session; Brayden Kearsley was ejected for a personal foul, while Robertson Daniel was flagged for pass interference against Kurt Henderson.
Justin Sorensen made both kicks attempted in the media observation period--a PAT and 36-yard field goal. Mendenhall reiterated that Sorensen has opened up a lead in the placekicking competition.
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BYU will practice Tuesday morning; tomorrow will be a media dead-day. It has not been determined whether reporters will be allowed to observe and of Wednesday's scheduled stadium scrimmage.
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