The Brigham Young junior cornerback doesn't have either right now, but don't bet against it happening. Criddle is closing in on both through his performance during fall camp.

A junior college transfer, Criddle worked with the first-team defense during Wednesday's 11-on-11 limited contact scrimmage. He had the hit of the day, causing a fumble by running back Curtis Brown.

"I look forward to it every day, to come out here and compete with great athletes," Criddle said. "We're going to have one of the best offenses in the nation, so we're seeing the best that there's going to be."

Criddle has been working in Kayle Buchanan's spot. A starter last year, Buchanan had offseason shoulder surgery and is being held out of contact drills.

After redshirting last season, Criddle is one of several new defensive backs vying to break into the rotation.

"I'll get a lot of playing time this year," he said.

If he plays well, the walk-on believes a scholarship will come.

"I hope it happens as soon as possible," Criddle said, "because if I can play and I'm better than the rest of the players, I think I deserve it. Just like any corporate business, if you produce you should get paid and you should get rewarded."

At 5-foot-11, 188 pounds, Criddle believes his strength is physical play, describing himself as an "instinctive player that wants to hit somebody." He said his speed and quickness improved during his redshirt season last year.

Offered scholarships by lower division college teams, Criddle decided to attend BYU after the coaches invited him to walk on. He played two years in junior college, first attending Eastern Arizona and then transferring to Glendale Community after serving a church mission.

Coach Bronco Mendenhall's reputation for playing walk-ons caught his attention.

"I knew that coach Mendenhall was open to playing walk-ons, as long as I could play," Criddle said. "I thought my chances were great here."

Snap to it

Calling all deep snappers, BYU wants you.

BYU's intended player at that position, Matt Johnson, did not qualify academically, Mendenhall said after Wednesday's practice. Johnson earned a scholarship out of Southern California's Citrus College for the sole purpose of snapping the football in kicking and punt situations.

Johnson also wanted to play along the defensive line, but he wasn't expected to get that opportunity at BYU.

"We offered a scholarship to a deep snapper recognizing an immediate and necessary need," he said. "I'm very disappointed and, to some extent, frustrated that a young man didn't do what he needed to do to uphold his commitment to our program by getting his work done."

BYU lost a game in overtime last season to Texas Christian on a botched extra-point attempt.

For now, defensive lineman Brett Denney and reserve quarterback Sam Doman would handle the duties. Linebacker Bryan Kehl is another possibility.

Projected starting linebacker Markell Staffieri suffered a leg injury during Wednesday's practice and was helped into the trainer's room. Mendenhall said he didn't know the extent of the injury.

pjk@sltrib.com