BYU Spring Football, Day 2


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BYU head coach Bronco Mendenhall called Wednesday's practice, "just as spirited, (with) probably more work done in this one than even the first one. They're responding really well; I like their attitude, I like their work ethic and they're getting a ton done."

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Unfortunately, the biggest story coming out of BYU's second practice of spring was word that JC cornerback Trenton Trammell tore his ACL on Monday and will miss the 2013 season. Trammell will undergo surgery on March 14th.

"We don't believe there's a chance that he can be back for this season," Mendenhall said. "So, (he'll) redshirt this upcoming year and have two years to play."

Trammell's loss is a big one for the Cougars, who were counting on the former junior college player to step right in and fill the shoes of Preston Hadley. It's now up to the rest of the secondary players to compensate for the personnel setback.

"Mike Hague is a swing guy at the corner and at nickel," Mendenhall said. "We're playing without Craig Bills right now; he has a hamstring, but when he gets back, Mike gives us some flexibility there. Trevor Bateman coming off an ACL from a year ago will help us and we also have another junior college corner (Sam Lee) coming in this fall camp."

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Taysom Hill ran the first-team offense once again on Wednesday. After practice, Hill said, "I feel great. Today I was a little sore after practice, but nothing bad. When I'm running and everything, I don't feel any hindrance. Like I said, I feel good, I feel fast; it's like (the 2012 knee injury) never happened."

The second-team offense was run by transfer Christian Stewart. Stewart was at BYU in 2008, but decided to play at Snow College after returning from his LDS Mission. Bronco liked what he saw from the former Badger. "He's running around hard...he's emerging as a guy that we weren't really counting on, but is kinda playing his way into contention; at least after two days, which is way way early."

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One noticeable issue during the first two days of spring practice is the center-to-quarterback exchange. Too many footballs have ended up on the turf instead of the quarterback's hands. Coach Mendenhall called it the "sloppiest part of practice." QB Hill doesn't seem too worried. "We're moving at a higher tempo and our centers aren't used to snapping that frequently," Hill said. "Hey, from Day 1 to Day 2, it was a pretty good improvement; we'll continue to get better there."

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RB Jamaal Williams, who doesn't turn 18 until April 3rd, told reporters that he has gained 10 pounds since last season; he says he is now closer to 205.

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While new offensive coaches are bringing in new schemes and an up-tempo offense, they are also bringing a new sense of accountability. Count Jamaal Williams as a fan of the new attitude. "We're playing as a team now," Williams said. "We do everything the defense does now. We all do the same thing; no 'offense does one thing, defense does another'; it's a whole team."

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You can listen to post-practice audio from Bronco Mendenhall, Taysom Hill and Jamaal Williams by clicking on the links, above left.

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Photos: Courtesy of BYU Photo

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