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PROVO ‐ With fall camp officially underway, the Cougars' preparations have begun for the season opener at Virginia on August 31. This week's preview focuses on BYU's three most improved positions heading into the 2013 season.
The three positions that fit the bill for me are all on the offensive side of the football. Let's be honest, the defense was so dominant last year that there's not much need for improvement, just maintaining their level of play.
Quarterbacks
I would imagine that the quarterback position is the one area that most BYU fans have the highest expectations for improvement. Maybe it's because the quarterback play over the past two years has been well-below what we're used to seeing in Provo, but I believe BYU's greatest improvement will come from the quarterbacks.
Taysom Hill has taken over the reins from Riley Nelson and has entered camp in the best shape of his young career. There is no doubt that part of Hill's success this year will be because of Nelson's struggles last season. Hill will benefit from a coaching staff that saw what not to do in 2012. The quarterbacks will be forced to be smarter, avoiding unnecessary hits, and not force plays when things break down.
While most focus is on Hill's innate ability to run, it will be his ability to throw the football that will allow him to make his greatest impact this year. The talent level around Hill is the best BYU has had in some time. The quarterback position will improve in 2013 because of Hill and the overall talent on offense (hopefully that includes the offensive line).
Tight Ends
It seems like we've been talking about the tight ends becoming a more prominent part of the BYU offense for a few years now. Since Dennis Pitta left for the NFL in 2009, BYU has been searching for the next great Cougar tight end.
The 2013 crop of TEs feature seniors Kaneakua Friel and Richard Wilson, juniors Brett Thompson and Devin Mahina, as well as sophomore Stehly Reden. This group should begin to see more plays run for them due to the return of Robert Anae as offensive coordinator. Coach Anae has always loved to use the tight ends. It's a staple of a BYU offense and has been missing for a few years. I expect to see a significant improvement from the tight ends simply because they will be utilized more.
The name that I believe most people will be talking about as the season goes on is Brett Thompson. As a former wide receiver he has the hands you want and the size you need to be a successful tight end at BYU.
Will 2013 finally be the year that the tight ends makes a comeback in Provo? I think it will; and this group is poised to make some noise.
Wide Receivers
Some may wonder why the receivers are on my list. Yes, Cody Hoffman was brilliant last year; and yes, I expect him to be just as brilliant in 2013. The reason I believe we'll see an improvement from the wide receivers is because I think more talented players will be involved.
Ross Apo is entering his junior season. To this point, he has not lived up to his own expectations and those put on him by others. There's no doubt that Apo suffered with Nelson as QB, due to the fact that Nelson targeted Cody Hoffman most times. With that said, Apo never took advantage of the opportunities he did have, and I expect that to be different this year. Apo is too talented of a football player to not right the ship in 2013.
I believe the other bright spot for the receivers this year will be sophomore Mitch Mathews. At almost 6-feet-7-inches, Mathews is the rare example of size and speed. After a disappointing season in 2012, due to injury, Mathews is poised to break through.
Besides Hoffman, Apo and Mathews, the Cougars feature a healthy JD Falslev in the slot and impressive senior receiver Skyler Ridley. With this type of talent and a quarterback that can utilize all of them, I believe the receiver position will see improvement in 2013.
Photos: Courtesy of BYU Photo
