This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2012, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
OK, I am back in the saddle today after having most of the last month off for some rest and relaxation. I did work last Wednesday to cover BYU football media day, however, and like a chipmunk I stored up a few acorns — a few nuggets of information — that I will occasionally dispense during July on this blog as the Cougars turn their thoughts toward the opening of preseason camp on Aug. 2 (players report Aug. 1). If there is a Cougar on the defensive side of the ball who is on the verge of superstar status, it would have to be outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy. The junior from Reno, Nev., is featured prominently in the 2012 football press guide — now they call it the "2012 Season Almanac" — and was at the forefront Wednesday as BYU made available a dozen or so players for interviews. Van Noy had shoulder surgery before spring camp for an injury he suffered in the TCU game last fall and missed all of spring camp. While he said Wednesday that his recovery is still on schedule, he relayed some mildly surprising news that he probably won't be able to go full-tilt when camp opens next month. "For starters, my primary goal is to get healthy," he said. "That is the No. 1 priority. Then, after that happens, I will make goals from there. I think that's the main thing I am focusing on, is getting ready for the season and preparing like it is no one's business, I guess." I asked Van Noy if there is some doubt that he will be ready to hit on Aug. 2. "Yes and no," he said. "I would say there's a little doubt about [the opening] of camp. I will be ready for the season. It will be a transition into fall camp, easing into it and contact and all that. It is healing fine. My doctor and my therapist have a good plan for me, and they are basically in control, as well as myself. They want this done the right way, and done once." Van Noy said all the pain is gone, but that there is still some soreness after he does "some things that I am not used to doing." Van Noy led BYU with 50 unassisted tackles last year, including 15 tackles for loss. He had seven sacks, three interceptions, 10 quarterback hurries and even blocked a kick and forced three fumbles. There's been a lot of talk that this could be the best defense BYU has had since Bronco Mendenhall became the coach prior to the 2005 season. What does Van Noy think? "I don't really believe what outsiders say, because they will say anything," he said. "It goes back to what we think. Players, we think we can be good. I don't think we understand how good we can be. That's the coaches' job to push us to that level. It is going to be a hard camp, and I think we are going to see a lot of younger guys playing with the older guys so that if injuries happen they will be ready to go in and there won't be no tier, no fall off when a new guy comes in. That's the way we are going to have a great defense, if we can stay injury free and the younger guys can grow and come along at their pace." More comments from Van Noy: On how hard the team is working: "We are working really hard, actually. That's been the upgraded with the upgrades that we've had. People want to be around something new, so they are excited to be around more. I think the older guys have good leadership. We make sure the younger guys are there and everyone is there, basically. I think we have had a better attendance this year than we have had in year's past." On the team's priorities this offseason:"A big priority is fitness, but with that comes an emphasis on having a proper diet. That's a big thing that we have all taken advantage of, since we've had it. You can tell by looking at linemen that they are all looking more healthy. You can tell by looking at me and [Brandon] Ogletree that we are bigger and we are getting faster as well. And our quarterback, Riley [Nelson], is looking better too. With fitness and watching what we are eating and how we are sleeping, it is all becoming a positive. We see the results of that, and we want more of it. It is like playing college football. As a freshman you get that little piece of playing time and then you want more of it. So I think that's the same thing with everything you do." On which defensive player will emerge this season like he did: "One that will be very good, if he gets the opportunity, is [linebacker] Manoa Pikula. He will be one of those guys who will turn some heads. He brings it. He works hard, and he's smart. He redshirted last year and he made some good plays in practice and all that. Watch out for him."