PROVO — BYU running back Algernon Brown was a little hurt and "just disappointed with the situation in general" about the withdrawal of position mate Jamaal Williams from school before the latter's senior year.

After thinking about it for while in a team meeting, he recognized the opportunity he holds to step into a bigger role with the 2015 squad.

"Any time you have someone leave the team, especially someone who has contributed that much, it's hard to see them go," Brown said after BYU's first practice wrapped up Saturday. "But you have to move on."

Brown learned of the move during a team meeting with the coaching staff. But the Skyline High product who ran for 558 yards and two touchdowns on 116 carries in 2014 said it became clear the team couldn't dwell on it long.

"It caught everyone by surprise," he said. "We all had to soak it in, and then just move on."

Williams wasn't the only likely returning starter missing from BYU's fall camp opener. Defensive back Micah Hannemann didn't practice, as well as the Cougars' top returning wide receiver Mitch Mathews.

Mathews, who had an unspecified issue over the summer, is expected to rejoin his teammates during camp and is not expected to miss any substantial time with the team. The senior wide out was at practice, but did not fully participate.

"He's been around for a long time, he's extremely established and super reliable," BYU quarterback Taysom Hill said. "There are no worries; I think he'll have ample time to be ready to go."

Cougar Tracks:

Camp Cougar, day 1

10 months after suffering a season-ending ankle injury, BYU quarterback Taysom Hill was fully cleared and back on the field with his teammates as the Cougars opened training camp late Saturday afternoon in Provo.

The focus, then, shifted to the players who were available and at 100 percent — which is running backs coach Mark Atuaia's job.

Atuaia will take a look at Brown, Adam Hine, Nate Carter and the other running backs on the BYU roster and try to figure out a way to replace Williams' production.

"He'll be difficult to replace," Atuaia said. "To go without one of the soldiers who has been here all summer — but it is what it is, and we'll work through that."

Atuaia added the players available to him were all in good shape physically, a facet who attributed to new strength and conditioning coach Frank Wintrich.

"He did a good job over the summer with them," Atuaia added. "Literally, it was the best I've ever seen with them coming back in shape. We go hard and we go fast. They come off to the side, and it's like nothing. I'm happy in that regard, and I think they will do well."

Brown also said he felt better, physically, after just one practice session than he has in the past.

"Usually in fall camp, I'm dying after every bit," the 6-foot-1, 229-pound junior said with a smile. "But Wintrich has done a really good job with everyone in here. Every position I feel is in pretty good shape."

Brown also said one of the most impressive running backs was another guy who will not be available this season. Washington State transfer Squally Canada, who will sit out 2015 per NCAA regulations, made some big plays Saturday afternoon.

"Squally broke some big runs; it was kind of surprising to see him step up," Brown said. "His attitude got going and it was exciting."

BYU will next practice Monday morning. The session, which is scheduled for the practice field, is open to the public.

4 QBS IN TOW — Head coach Bronco Mendenhall said backup quarterback McCoy Hill will join at the start of BYU's fall semester. McCoy Hill was not listed on the fall camp roster after sitting out the spring with a leg injury. "That's about when he will be cleared to start practicing and he'll be cleared to contribute," Mendenhall said. "Those injuries take a long time, but we're anxious to have him back."

Of the four quarterbacks in camp Saturday, returning starter Taysom Hill and freshman Tanner Mangum took the majority of snaps. True freshman Beau Hoge also saw action, and fellow frosh Koy Detmer, Jr. was limited in his time at the position.

NEWCOMER FAITH AND FEARS — Another new face was BYU rugby star Jonny Linehan, who faced his first day of practice as a punter.

The junior from Auckland, New Zealand had a rough go, but Mendenhall hopes the jitters go away with time.

"Until you see a live kick back, there is some trepidation," he said. "Our job in fall camp this season is to get him experience, and so there is less trepidation."

Freshman wide receiver Moroni Laulu-Pututau was a highlight on the first day of camp. The former Mountain Crest standout practiced with the first-string players, and he made several fantastic catches, including a 60-yard catch-and-run from Taysom Hill.

"He made some great players today," Hill said. "I would say day one, that was the guy who jumped out for me."

Related topics