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PROVO — Squally Canada knows his time to shine is now.
The junior-to-be running back has been working during BYU spring camp trying to step into the role vacated by graduated senior Jamaal Williams, the Cougars’ all-time rushing leader and close friend of Canada.
It hasn’t been easy. Canada has put on 12 pounds, and he plans on bulking up to 215 pounds from his 195-pound frame in 2016 to help shoulder the carries of an every-down back.
“I know the plays, been working a lot after practice to make sure I get my steps down, working on my hands, and trying to run routes,” Canada said.
“They’ve added some plays now where I have my hand on the ground and block the defensive end. I’m doing a lot of different types of things to hopefully help my draft stock.”
He also might not be running the ball as much. The Washington State transfer has been taking snaps as a fullback, enjoying the chance to hit a defensive end and block for quarterback Tanner Mangum during the spring sessions in BYU’s indoor practice facility.
“I played D-end my freshman year (of high school), and fullback is fun like that,” said Canada, whose smile relayed how much fun he is having even as he studies flat-earth theory and ponders academic treatises at BYU. “But we haven’t had a lot of contact, so I can say that. If it was contact, I’d probably be chopping a lot of dudes. It will still be fun.”
Replacing Williams won’t be easy, and Canada doesn’t expect to be the same downfield runner as his predecessor.
But one area in which the Southern California product taught Canada the most was leadership, and Canada is focused on stepping into that role. He regularly takes younger players under his wing, lining up the offense when they need help, and reassuring his teammates when they make mistakes or otherwise need correction.
Just not with force, like his good friend who will return to campus Friday for BYU’s Pro Day with a flock of facial hair not completely unlike Canada’s scruff that boasts a beard card.
“Jamaal is a really calm leader, but when he gets fired up, he’s fired up,” Canada said. “I learned from him to be you, and be the leader that you want to be. There are vocal leaders, and there are leaders who lead by example. My years in high school was to be a leader by example.”
Canada will have plenty of chances to show off his leadership.
The Cougars will air their spring scrimmage Saturday at 1 p.m. MDT on BYUtv. Admission is free at LaVell Edwards Stadium, and pregame tailgating is encouraged.
All eyes will be on the BYU offense this weekend.
“We’d like to put a clean product on the field, and stay out of injuries while still emphasizing contact,” BYU assistant head coach Ed Lamb said. “We’ll hope to get out without injury, and for the offense to execute and drive and move it down the field.”
Mangum has the keys to the offense. But Canada’s role may be just as crucial to the Cougars’ upcoming season.
“I can feel it, but it’s definitely weird,” he said of his leadership role. “Everybody goes on a mission and comes home at 21 or 22. Here I’m 20 years old, and everybody is looking to me.”
SPRING GAME YOUTH — Linebacker Fred Warner said the Cougars’ annual spring scrimmage would give younger players a chance to play a bit more than usual — at least on defense.
“I probably won’t participate much,” Warner said. “But it will be fun; I’m hoping to do some skelly and one-on-one and be able to hit a little.”
FOCUS ON NFL TALENT — Before Saturday, the Cougars will hold their annual Pro Day in the indoor practice facility Friday morning.
BYU assistant head coach Ed Lamb admitted BYU’s focus has been turned toward developing more pro-ready talent than in recent years. The Cougars have had just three total draft picks since 2013 — all defensive players in Ziggy Ansah (Lions), Kyle Van Noy (Lions) and Bronson Kaufusi (Ravens).
“At any level of Division I football, and I’ll even go back to my days at Southern Utah, a scholarship athlete should have a goal to make it to the NFL,” Lamb said. “That doesn’t mean it’s a detriment to their academic life or their spiritual life or their social life. We all have hundreds of priorities in our lives, and we don’t always have to sacrifice one for the other.
“I think pro football should be an aspiration for every guy. We always want to operate as a coaching staff to help them reach that.”
