BYU starts spring football on March 1 and the first spring under the new coaching staff will feature a lot of teaching. There also are position changes.
BYU spring football officially gets underway next week on March 1, with practices ending April 1 and the spring game on March 26. These practices are very important with new head coach Kalani Sitake, and also a scheme on offense and defense will be implemented.
New assistant head coach Ed Lamb had plenty to say about what to expect this spring and provided some insight on what the offense and defense would look like plus some position changes. However, this spring will focus on a lot of teaching the new systems.
“It is all about a fundamental emphasis in spring,” Lamb said. “We’ve got a good program left in place by previous staff.”
New offensive coordinator Ty Detmer gave some light on the type of offense that would be run, and the tidbits we received was that it would be an offense with the quarterback under center. Lamb elaborated on those comments and it will be a drastic change.
“The offense will operate more deliberately under Detmer’s supervision,” Lamb said. “Go hard, go fast is a thing of the past. More pro style.”
This is not shocking at all given that go fast, go hard and being in the shotgun was from former offensive coordinator Robert Anae. This also will help the quarterbacks play better by playing in this scheme and it also could help Tanner Mangum and Taysom Hill be more prepared for the NFL.
On the other side of the ball there will be a base set with multiple fronts to take advantage of the talent with the front seven of the defense.
“We are in 3-4, but running quite a lot of 4-3 out of that,” Lamb said.
The defense will be getting a new addition with fullback Francis Bernard making the change from fullback to the defensive side of the ball, and likely at linebacker. Another player who is expected to be back is linebacker Sione Takitaki who has been working with the team every day and according to Lamb “appears he will” be available this spring.
Another position change has defensive back Micah Simon is likely switching back to offense where he will play wide receiver. There could be more even more position changes once the staff evaluates players after the first few practices.
BYU is also getting a key piece back in spring camp as running back Jamaal Williams is back with the team and according to Lamb, “looks fantastic to me … He looks amazing to me.”
It appears that Williams is healthy from tearing his knee about 14 months ago, and should be a full participant in spring ball.
As for players who are sitting out due to injuries or otherwise, Lamb will not know who will be missing practice until the first day of spring camp next Tuesday, March 1.
