BYU names 4 captains, updates depth chart for Arizona opener

PROVO — Harvey Langi has been around the BYU football program before, but 2016 will be different.

It’s not about the new coaching staff, led by first-time head coach Kalani Sitake. It’s not about it being his senior year — at least not directly.

Langi was named one of four captains by his teammates, joining quarterback Taysom Hill, running back Jamaal Williams and safety Kai Nacua as the chosen representatives of the team in meetings and certain media opportunities in his final season of eligibility.

“We’re the old guys,” Langi said. “All the old guys are usually the captains, so that’s another mark. If you have a C, you’re 23 or older at BYU — or 25. I guess I’m old now.”

The captain’s C is also a mark of honor for the 6-foot-3, 252-pound defensive end who is still transitioning from outside linebacker.

“There are 105 guys, and there are a lot of guys who inspire me and motivate me to be a better person,” Langi said. “If a lot of people wrote my name down, then hopefully I can be that guy for them. I feel like more of a spokesman. But if the team wants to talk, they can tell me and I’ll go talk.

“It’s humbling, and it allows me to know there are eyes on me and guys who look up to me when I look up to them.”

Like Langi, Nacua is also a first-time captain. But he’s also ready to lead the defensive side of the ball after leading the Cougars with 6 interceptions and 12 passes defended as a junior in 2015, despite missing the opener at Nebraska for disciplinary reasons.

“It’s a lot of responsibility, and I’m really excited to take that role,” Nacua said. “Being a captain for this team, I’ll do what I can and they know I will do whatever I can to help this team.”

Hill has been a captain before; the fifth-year senior wouldn’t still be at BYU were it not for a medical hardship waiver granted by the NCAA after he suffered his third season-ending injury in the first half against the Huskers.

But having experience as a seasoned leader and veteran makes him more appreciative of the honor garnered by his teammates votes, which Sitake said were majoritively in favor of the four finalists.

“It’s humbling when your teammates choose you to represent them,” Hill said. “I’ll do my best to represent them on the field. It’s humbling to have that responsibility, and I certainly don’t take that lightly. I look forward to the opportunity.”

In addition to the captains, Sitake also released his first depth chart of the 2016 season. There are still a few question marks — he won’t know how certain players respond to some situations until after the first game, he said — but a large amount of the two-deep roster has been set.

Nick Kurtz is the only authoritative starter at wide receiver, with Moroni Laulu-Pututau and Snow College transfer Jonah Trinnaman listed as co-starters at the other receiver spot.

Incumbent starter Tanner Balderee and Georgia Tech by way of Snow College transfer Hunter Marshall are co-starters at tight end.

The offensive line has an established set of five starters, beginning with junior Tejan Koroma at center and spring camp’s center Parker Dawe moving to right guard. Southern Utah graduate transfer Andrew Eide will start at left tackle, and juniors Keyan Norman and Ului Lapuaho are also among the first unit.

“The depth chart is who takes the first snap, but the game nowadays is with so many different subgroups,” Sitake said. “It won’t just be one depth chart until the end; it will always be changing and our guys have to compete.”

The defensive side has a few more question marks. BYU basketball post player Corbin Kaufusi is listed as a co-starter with sophomore Moses Kaumatule at defensive end, opposite co-starters Harvey Langi and Sae Tautu at variable end/outside linebacker.

On the inside, Travis Tuiloma is a starter at defensive tackle — but his availability for Saturday is in question. Tuiloma has struggled with injuries through fall camp, and Sitake called his potential against Arizona a “game-day decision.”

“It’s hard to say right now. We have to plan to play without him,” Sitake said. “If he is ready to go, it will be a bonus.”

Tomasi Laulile and Tevita Mo’Unga are listed as Tuiloma’s backups, and Logan Taele and Handsome Tanielu are the co-starters at the other end/tackle position in defensive coordinator Ilaisa Tuiaki’s variable defense.

Sitake said freshman Troy Warner has won the starting job at cornerback opposite Michael Davis, but the depth chart also has Akile Davis rotating in that spot.

“We’ll need more than just 11 guys on defense,” Sitake said. “You’re going to see a high number of players on the field, depending on what they are doing and how successful we are getting them off the field.”

Among the specialists, Corey Edwards will handle kickoffs with fall camp late addition Andrew Mikkelson backing him up. Backup punter Rhett Almond is the projected starter at placekicker, followed by freshman James Baird.

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