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A BYU camp practice that was originally scheduled to be closed was opened to the public on Wednesday, with just under a thousand fans filling the available seats at the Student Athlete Building fields.
Those on hand saw Bronco Mendenhall put his players through a two-hour session that featured running back Algernon Brown in uniform for the first time, and tight end Devin Mahina doing some live work for the first time in camp.
Having missed the first four practices due to academics-related issues, Brown was in helmet-only mode on Wednesday, with the rest of his teammates taking part in the first fully-padded practice of the month. Mahina, who is recovering from an ankle injury suffered during pre-camp conditioning, was in full pads and running live routes in the "skelly" portions of practice.
Projected starting outside linebacker Bronson Kaufusi (hamstring) was in pads and walking through some things, but has not been cleared for contact. Projected starting inside linebacker Manoa Pikula has yet to practice and remains out, dealing with academics.
Pikula's would-be running mate inside, Zac Stout, missed another day of practice. Also out were cornerback Jordan Johnson, and linebackers Teu Kautai, Phillip Amone, and Toloa'i Ho Ching (concussion). DBs Trevor Bateman and Mike Wadsworth were also out, and have missed consecutive practices. OL Tuni Kanuch was in uniform, but has yet to go live in any session of camp.
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Wednesday morning's practice was highlighted by scoring plays involving two of BYU's new additions at wide receiver. Devon Blackmon shook off a tackle to score on a 40-yard throw from Christian Stewart. Blackmon earlier got behind the defense for a 55-yard scoring strike from Stewart.
Nick Kurtz hauled in a Taysom Hill offering for a 20-yard touchdown, and made one of the nicer catches of the day on an earlier throw from Hill.
Senior-to-be Ross Apo had one of the standout plays of the session by out-wrestling Jordan Preator for a jump ball in the end zone. Despite his red-jersey (no-contact) status, Apo, has not been shy about either mixing it up or going to ground to make a catch during camp.
Running back Jamaal Williams got loose down the sidelines for a catch-and-run score, showing off his acceleration on a sprint to the end zone.
On the defensive side of the ball, cornerback Michael Shelton accounted for an acrobatic interception, while a number of different players (linebackers, primarily) got into the offensive backfield to put heat on Hill and Stewart.
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There weren't too many kicks to track on Wednesday, but Trevor Samson hit on a PAT and 35-yard field goal; Andrew Mikkelsen made a 30-yarder but missed a PAT; Moose Bingham made his PAT try.
The punt-return group was comprised of Trey Dye, Keanu Nelson, Jordan Leslie, Devon Blackmon, Michael Shelton and Mitchell Juergens.
The kickoff return group included Nelson, Leslie, Blackmon, Juergens, Shelton, Adam Hine, Paul Lasike, Michael Davis and Ross Apo (Apo did not field any kicks, but was with the group).
The two three-man punt-protect groups on Wednesday were made up of Ului Lapuaho/Brad Wilcox/Solomone Kafu and Kyle Johnson/Quinn Lawlor/Ryker Mathews.
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A number of high-profile absences continue to impact a few depth-chart projections, but here's a look at how the rotations played out on Wednesday:
QB: Taysom Hill/Christian Stewart
RB: Adam Hine/Jamaal Williams/Nate Carter
RB: Paul Lasike/Peter Welsh/Joshua Whippy
note: Algernon Brown was not in pads on Wednesday
WR: Mitch Mathews/Devon Blackmon/Kurt Henderson
WR: Nick Kurtz/Colby Pearson/Travis Frey
Y/Flex/Slot: Jordan Leslie/Terenn Houk or Keanu Nelson or Trey Dye/Jake Ziolkowski or Mitchell Juergens
Y/TE: Devin Mahina/Bryan Sampson/Colby Jorgensen or Matt Sumsion
LT: DeOndre Wesley/Ryker Mathews/Brad Wilcox
LG: Kyle Johnson or Terrance Alletto/Solomone Kafu/Parker Dawe
C: Terrance Alletto or Edward Fusi/Tejan Koroma
RG: Brayden Kearsley or Brock Stringham/Chase Larson
RT: Ului Lapuaho/Michael Yeck/Quinn Lawlor
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LE: Graham Rowley/Tanner Balderee/Theodore King
NT: Travis Tuiloma/Marques Johnson/Kesni Tausinga/Josh Carter
RE: Remington Peck/Logan Taele/Tomasi Laulile
OLB: Alani Fua/Tyler Cook or Jordan Egbert/DJ Doman
ILB: Austin Heder/Sione Takitaki or Va'a Niumatalolo
ILB: Jheremmya Leuta-Douyere/Harvey Langi
OLB: Michael Alisa/Fred Warner/Troy Hinds/Steven Richards
CB: Skye PoVey/Jordan Preator/Trent Trammell
S: Craig Bills/Harvey Jackson/Kavika Fonua
S: Dallin Leavitt/Chris Badger/Kai Nacua
CB: Michael Davis/Michael Shelton/Rob Daniel/Garrett Juergens
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Thursday's practice will include a media-observation period for the final 30-45 minutes; there will be interviews afterward.
There was no media availability after Wednesday's open practice.
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