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It has been a week since BYU's first spring camp under new coach Kalani Sitake wrapped up, and I've had some time to listen a couple times through the last interview Sitake gave to the assembled media at LaVell Edwards Stadium on Alumni Day.

Barring something unforeseen, the next chance for a group interview with Sitake probably won't come until BYU's football media day, which is June 30 this year. Yes, even under Sitake, BYU will have the earliest football media day in the country.

What stood out from that April 1 chat at LaVell Edwards Stadium?

For me, it was Sitake's insistence that no starting job is safe, and that coaches won't be afraid to continue to adjust positions in an effort to get the 11 best players on the field, on both sides of the ball.

"Oh yeah, we will always change people," Sitake said. "We want to put the best 11 on the field. That's the goal. That is never-ending. So it is always a process to get the best 11 guys on the field. And most guys want to start and get on the field as soon as they can. With that and the desire to get on the field, and with what we will need as a team, I think we will be able to get the best product out there."

Sitake said "a lot" of defensive stalwarts stood out in camp, and alluded again to the need to find a place on the field for true freshman Troy Warner, even if it is on offense. Warner was recruited as a defensive back, but is so athletic and explosive that he could be used on offense in some situation.

"I like the linebacking corps a lot," Sitake said. "I think we feel good with some of the corners we have and are working with. I think Mike Davis and Akile Davis are doing some good things there. Troy Warner is a true freshman who is doing some good things this spring.

Overall, I have been happy with the players' positions on defense. It will help when we get the guys back who have been injured — Kai Nacua and Logan Taele and Travis Tuiloma. When we get those guys back, we should be pretty solid."

Here are a few more comments from Sitake from last Friday:

On how important the last three practices were after the spring game:

'They have been really big for us, especially being able to evaluate the spring game, and see what we can do differently, and also preparing for the season. I think we were able to put together our game plan, and what we think we can work with against Arizona, and get everything kick-started. There was a little bit of excitement going into the last three practices because our players know this is what we are going to work with once we start the season."

On whether his first spring camp as a head coach was what he expected:

'Oh yeah, it was great. I mean, I don't think about it as far as me being a head coach. It is a lot different because I am not just on one side. But I am just cheering for both sides, I guess. I try to manage the whole team. I don't get really animated now that I am the head coach. But there are a lot of things that I could do as far as evaluating the team. I thought we got a lot better and were able to develop some depth. We've got some young guys who got some valuable reps, so it was a really productive spring for us."

On what questions were answered in his mind the last month:

"More on the young guys, and being able to see the O-line come along as far as our blocking schemes and our run game. It was probably our best day as far as the run game goes, as far as our O-line blocking. I thought overall they just surprised me with the progress and the development and the technique we are asking them to do.

Overall, I think I am happy with where the team stands right now, and I think we are right on track with where we need to be."

On how the transition to the 4-3 defense is coming along:

"It is coming along great. Coach [Ilaisa] Tuiaki and Ed Lamb and Jernaro Gilford are doing a great job with the defense and I think I am really excited with Steve Kaufusi's group [at defensive line]. I think Steve feels a lot more comfortable with the D-line being in a four-man front than anything else.

We will still use some odd [formation] stuff, but I think it was a good jumpstart to what we will need from the defense, as far as being in the 4-3."

On what concerns he has on offense:

"Not really a lot. We have really good depth at running back. I like Jamaal [Williams] and Algie [Brown] is proven as well. We saw some young guys step up, Riley Burt and Squally Canada, and Trey Dye and KJ Hall did some good things, so overall they are a good group. We just got to keep practicing. By the time we are done with our fall practices, we will be good to go."