Another practice is in the books for BYU and newcomers continue to impress in fall camp. Here are some observations from Day 2:
Newcomers Continue to Impress:
Standouts included: QB Tanner Mangum, WR Moroni Laulu-Pututau,WR Nick Kurtz and OL Austin Hoyt.
Mangum was a highly recruited quarterback out of Eagle, Idaho, who just returned from an LDS mission in June. Mangum showed up on Saturday and was able to impress with his arm and understanding of the offense. Bronco Mendenhall said of Tanner’s performance in camp thus far.
“[I] love, love, love, love, Tanner Mangum,” Mendenahll said on Tuesday. “He is significantly ahead of where I expected him to be. He reminds me of John Beck in how much and how hard he studies and he throws the ball so well.”
Moroni Laulu-Pututau (MLP) made a name for himself on Saturday connecting with Taysom Hill multiple times and he continued to impress in Day 2. MLP and Mangum served in the same mission, Parker Mangum (Tanner’s older brother) joined ESPM 960 back in June and mentioned that they had been able to get together a few times and throw, through two days of practice, it looks like they were able to do so quite a bit.
Kurtz was one of the top JUCO receiving recruits for the class of 2014 and he missed all of last year with a fractured foot during fall camp. Through two days, he has shown that he can make difficult catches in traffic and elevate above defenders. One play that stood out was a double move that left Jordan Preator in the dust and resulted in a touchdown. Kurtz has a great opportunity to lead the team in receiving this year depending on the health of Mitch Mathews.
Austin Hoyt has stepped in and impressed at right tackle while entrenched started, Ului Lapuaho has filled in at right guard for the injured Tuni Kanuch. Austin has been very impressive coming in most notably with his footwork.
Ben Criddle said, “He [Austin] is a little light in the pantalones, but his footwork is really impressive, especially his kick step. I wasn’t anticipating him to have the impact he has had through two days.”
Defensive Leadership:
Linebacker Harvey Langi has been noticeably vocal so far in camp. Langi said that as a middle linebacker he needs to be a leader.
“I need to be the QB of the defense,” Langi said after Monday’s practice. “If Taysom went up to the line without saying a word and lifted his leg to snap the ball no one would know what’s going on. I need to be vocal and earn everyone’s trust so that if I make a check they’ll be able to trust me and follow my lead.”
He also added how he’s worked on improving in preparation for the upcoming season.
“I’ve watched film on the guys who built up the defense and focused on learning how Bronco runs the defense,” he said. “After that, I can work on the physicality and sense of urgency.”
Running Back Depth:
Algernon Brown and Nate Carter have received the majority of first team reps in the wake of Jamaal Williams withdrawing from school. Many expect Brown to receive the majority of carries in Williams’ absence, but Carter has caught many by surprise by running with the first team during practice. Offense coordinator Robert Anae said of Carter is impressed by Carter after two practices.
“Nate Carter is very consistent,” Anae said during media availability on Monday. “He was at everything and he does everything at a high level and his buy in is tremendous.”
Mendenahll also referenced Bryan Kariya when talking about Carter’s role on the team this year.
“There is nothing he won’t do to help our team in a positive way,” he said. “I don’t believe in 110% but I don’t know how we could get anymore out of him.”
Coach Anae added that Mitchell Juergens will have set plays that he will rotate into the running back position, it hasn’t been implemented yet in practice but will come in the next few days. Adam Hine is another player who could round out the depth at running back, the main concern is working on his consistency.
Utah Pipeline:
Mendenhall said that some of the most impressive true freshman in fall camp have been home grown talent. He singled out Dayan Lake, Zayne Anderson and Riley Burt as players who have impressed him so far in fall camp.
Injury Watch:
The following players were held out of today’s practice for injuries:
DB Micah Hannemann (Knee Contusion)
WR Mitch Mathews (Hernia)
WR Jackson Kaka (Elbow)
OL Tuni Kanuch (Undisclosed)
OL Quin Ficklin (Undisclosed)
Roster Changes:
The following players have either left or will rejoin the team when school starts:
K Vance “Moose” Bingham (transferred to Snow)
K Corey Edwards (will join team when school starts)
RB Peter Welsh (added to fall camp roster 8/10)
WR Jackson Kaka (removed from roster because of injury)
QB McCoy Hill (will join team when school starts)
LB Philip Amone (will join team when school starts)
Miscellaneous Notes:
BYU will be wearing shoulder pads for Tuesday’s practice.
There will be two more open practices this week, Tuesday and Wednesday, and an open scrimmage on Saturday. Each will begin at approximately 10:30am.
BYU has brought on former players Jray Galea’i, Vince Feula, and Famika Anae on as student assistants. Bronco also mentioned that Hebron Fangupo was in a similar role before signing with the Chiefs.
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