BYU football is gearing up for a busy offseason as coaches, players, and the coaching staff take a breather before the formal training camp resumes in late July. For defensive coordinator Jay Hill, life won’t get less complicated after spring, with his meticulous schedule of weight loss or gain, lifting and other exercises, and player-run practices to attend.
“We had a good spring, but we haven’t done anything yet this season,” said offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick. “Last season was nice, but we’re not going to sneak up on anybody this season.” The team finished in the Associated Press Top 25 last year and is looking to prove that their 11-2 campaign wasn’t a fluke.
The offseason will be broken into smaller segments, including spring training camp, summer recruiting, and the upcoming transfer portal window in mid-April. As part of this process, BYU will undergo a significant roster cut, trimming down from 120 players to 105. This means that the coaching staff must make tough decisions on which players to keep.
The spring period was dedicated to developing younger and less experienced players, such as wide receiver Lamason Waller III and returned missionaries Pierson Watson and Cannon DeVries. The team also worked on its quarterback depth chart, with backup signal callers McCae Hillstead and Treyson Bourguet emerging as promising candidates.
Coach Kalani Sitake believes that the Cougars are in a better place now than they were last year, citing improvements in weight room performance and test scores. However, he acknowledges that there is still work to be done, particularly on defensive tackle depth and cornerback experience.
“The talent has to match the culture on the team and off the field,” Sitake added. The coaching staff will continue to evaluate transfer portal prospects but emphasizes that they prioritize finding players who fit the program’s culture and values.
With a busy offseason ahead, BYU football is determined to build momentum and prove themselves as a top-tier program in college football.
Source: https://www.ksl.com/article/51285308/were-not-going-to-sneak-up-on-anyone-byu-wraps-up-spring-practices-with-familiar-urgency