2011 BYU Football Thread

[MarkGrace]

QB Jake Heaps, BYU
The buzz: BYU overcame a 2-5 start to win five of its last six games, including the New Mexico Bowl against UTEP. True, quite a bit of that turnaround was because of an easy schedule after mid-October. At the same time, BYU has to feel good about the development of Heaps, who was the nation's top pro-style quarterback in the class of 2010. He was 25-of-34 for 264 yards and four touchdowns in a 52-24 rout of UTEP in the bowl. Heaps completed 64.3 percent of his passes for 1,261 yards and 13 touchdowns (against two interceptions) in the final five games.

http://collegefootball.rivals.com/co...sp?CID=1178582

That's from a Rivals article about players looking to build on big bowl games.

[Green Monstah]

Your avatar rocks sucks.

Fixed.

[MarkGrace]

About a week ago someone on cb was saying apo got cleared for his redshirt. Anyone heard?

[MarkGrace]

Just saw this on CB.

I just got a message from Mike's brother that said...

"I figured you would like to know a little insider info about BYU. Mike was moved from RB over to Safety a few weeks ago. He is also down to 185 lbs from 225...Pretty impressive, plus he has all of his speed back. Bronco is loving Mike right now and said that Mike will have two great years at Safety for the Cougars."

http://www.cougarboard.com/board/mes...tml?id=6482658

So answer me this, how hard is it to pick up the safety position? To me it seems like one of the more nuanced defensive position, and I know it is often referred to as the "QB of the defense."

With that in mind, it seems like making the transition before your Jr. would be tough, as there's really a lot to learn. Of course Hague played there in HS, but most college safeties played there in HS and it still seems tough for them to learn everything you need to know about the position.

Also, 185? That seems a little light.

[falafel]

Just saw this on CB.


http://www.cougarboard.com/board/mes...tml?id=6482658

So answer me this, how hard is it to pick up the safety position? To me it seems like one of the more nuanced defensive position, and I know it is often referred to as the "QB of the defense."

With that in mind, it seems like making the transition before your Jr. would be tough, as there's really a lot to learn. Of course Hague played there in HS, but most college safeties played there in HS and it still seems tough for them to learn everything you need to know about the position.

Also, 185? That seems a little light.

IIRC, EdmondDantes called this.

[Surfah]

Of course Hague played there in HS, but most college safeties played there in HS and it still seems tough for them to learn everything you need to know about the position.

Is that true? It very well may be, but it seems to me (just thinking off the top of my head) that many safeties are players converted from other positions.

[Guest]

Most colleges were recruiting Hague as a Safety but he wanted to play RB and we promised him that we would give him a shot at the position. I don't want to toot my own horn about this with all on this but I called this awhile ago as he was dominant in high school at this position and should have a much great impact here than RB where we are pretty stocked up on talent.

One thing about Hague is the dude loves contact and can lay people out. The part that he will need to pick up is coverages and being able to make the right calls on Defense but I think he is up for the challenge.

[Sizzle]

Is that true? It very well may be, but it seems to me (just thinking off the top of my head) that many safeties are players converted from other positions.

Most converted safeties are converted corners and IMO it is easier to make that switch since by understanding coverages from one spot you inherently learn the coverages of the other spot. Making the switch from offense to defense is tough especially this late in the career. I wish he would have made the switch right after his mission if this is true, and while I think that he can succeed, it is absolutely an uphill battle IMO.

[Sizzle]

Also I would guess that he will probably play strong safety. He seems like a guy that doesn't shy from contact and would be great as an extra defender in the box. He won't have the innate instincts like Andrew Rich had, but he may be more athletic or at least stronger and I would hope a good hitter.

[Surfah]

Most converted safeties are converted corners and IMO it is easier to make that switch since by understanding coverages from one spot you inherently learn the coverages of the other spot. Making the switch from offense to defense is tough especially this late in the career. I wish he would have made the switch right after his mission if this is true, and while I think that he can succeed, it is absolutely an uphill battle IMO.

No I get that, but how many HS safeties are recruited to play safety? It seems to me that most collegiate safeties weren't safeties in HS. I could be off though. Safety seems to be the default position for CBs who grow or fill out or for OLBs who don't.

[jay santos]

Wow. 40 lbs lost. He was looking a little pudgy and slow, but 40 lbs? Hopefully he'll play faster at the lighter weight.

[Goatnapper'96]

Wow. 40 lbs lost. He was looking a little pudgy and slow, but 40 lbs? Hopefully he'll play faster at the lighter weight.

I don't believe it. I think he will play at about 205, which will be just right.

I love Mendenhall, but I think one area where he could improve is in this specific area. Too often kids are wasting elgibility languishing at positions where they want to play rather than developing at positions that they should be playing.

I think he will be a solid player and is likely to be a real Mendnehallite back there. He will overachieve and do what he is meant to do. I think he will pick the position up well and will be an above average safety as a senior. Next year he will make mistakes but is likely to improve significantly faster than the other options. It will not surprise me if he starts.

[cougjunkie]

Harmon with a list of who is coming back and who is leaving in regards to missions:
Coming:
Solomone Kafu
Iona Pritchard
Michael Alisa
Spencer Hadley
Daniel Sorenson
Justin Sorenson
Ian Dulan
Brock Stringham
Kaneakua Friel
Kevan Bills
Cameron Comer
Rex Morgan
Adam Hine

Going:
AJ Moore
Jordan Black
Algernon Brown (although I am almost positive he is going to Utah St. upon his return)
The rest are all walk-ons

[Goatnapper'96]

Harmon with a list of who is coming back and who is leaving in regards to missions:
Coming:
Solomone Kafu
Iona Pritchard
Michael Alisa
Spencer Hadley
Daniel Sorenson
Justin Sorenson
Ian Dulan
Brock Stringham
Kaneakua Friel
Kevan Bills
Cameron Comer
Rex Morgan
Adam Hine

Going:
AJ Moore
Jordan Black
Algernon Brown (although I am almost positive he is going to Utah St. upon his return)
The rest are all walk-ons

BYU is again going to have a very heavy freshman/sophmore roster next year. These next two - three years is a very good opportunity for BYU. After that it will be a rebuilding year that is potentially worse than this past year.

Key to all of this is that neither Rowley nor Stout are planning to serve missions. My guess is that both end up as starters. Spring ball is going to be really exciting on the defensive side.

Other than Muehlman and Hague has anyone else on offense moved to defense? I still wonder if BYU is wasting too much athletic talent at TE with Friel, Holt and Mahina.

[Guest]

Why is Algernon Brown looking to transfer out? I thought he would do well as a fullback at BYU.