Notes from Cougar Camp- Week 1

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KSL will be following the BYU Cougars at practice during the spring football season. Check in periodically for random notes and thoughts on the players, coaches and their performance during spring drills.

Week 1

PROVO -- Spring is in the air, and to a lot of people that means they can finally come out from under the rock and enjoy the newly settled warmth. For others, it means spring practice has begun, and football is right around the corner.

The Cougars strapped on the helmets and went right to work.

Here are my thoughts after day one:

Offense: First day on the job as the offensive coordinator, Brandon Doman is doing a great job keeping everybody fired up. The team seems to really respond well to him. Former Canadian Football League star and new wide receivers coach Ben Cahoon is also really well-liked amongst the players, and does a great job helping them all improve play-by-play.

Quarterbacks: Jake Heaps got off to a great start, picking up right where he left off. He made some great deep throws to receivers like Ross Apo and Cody Hoffman. Although the first pass he made on 7-on-7's was picked off, that was more of a reflection on the quick defense, than it was on a poor decision by Heaps.

Cougar Tracks:

Runningbacks: This is a solid core. The best part is the experience that is returning from last year. JJ DiLuigi looked maybe even a little faster than last year, and Josh Quezada was hitting the holes really strong. I didn't see a whole lot from Drew Phillips quite yet; it didn't look like he got as may reps as the other RB's. Mike Alisa and Zed Mendenhall got most of the time at fullback and both performed well. Wide receivers: Hoffman and Apo create a tall dual threat that will be like none other BYU has had in recent memory. Throw McKay Jacobson in the slot, and you've got a group that will be a nightmare for defenses around the country. Jacobson made a great grab during 7-on-7's, and Hoffman burned his man deep more than once. Apo seems to grab anything that is within five feet of him. A lot of the backup receivers got some good reps in as well. They've got a lot of speed and height that will be nice to mix and match with when preparing for other teams.

Tight ends: Coming off of a huge let down from last year, the tight ends have a lot to prove. Devin Mahina appears to be the quickest in the group, but all seem to have improved from last season. Coach Lance Reynolds has taken them under his wing, and seems determined to lift the position back up to the prestige that it was known for in season's past.

Defense: Mendenhall appears to be very excited with the group that he has coming this season. They looked quick, and were not allowed to stop running until they all got to the spot on the field where the play ended. A lot of returning starters are going to make for a great year.

Defensive backs: There seems to be more depth in the defensive back position. Robbie Buckner turned a lot of heads at practice for passes that he broke up, particularly for the interception that he had during 7-on-7's. Newcomer Dequan Everett showed a lot of determination to be a big impact on the defense with his display of quickness cutting to the ball. There is a lot of room for other defensive backs to make a statement as well. Preston Hadley from Snow College, Dallin Tollestrup, and Carter Mees, are all vying for time at their respective positions.

Linebackers: There is a lot to be excited about from this group. Brandon Ogletree, and Jameson Frazier are the returning players with the most experience, with Zac Stout, and Kyle Van Noy also returning with some experience. As a whole, the speed has improved a lot. Van Noy broke up a lot of passes, even had one right in his hands that he couldn't hold on to. They swarm to the ball wherever it goes, you don't see anybody quit until the play is over in this group.

Defensive line: Since the team was practicing with helmets and no pads, it was hard to get a good feel for who would have been a stand out.

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