The troubled, on-again, off-again college football career of BYU receiver-turned-defensive back O'Neill Chambers is apparently over.
BYU announced in a preseason football camp news release Thursday that Chambers "was not invited to participate in fall camp," which begins Thursday afternoon at 3:30 p.m.
BYU coach Bronco Mendenhall "indicated Chambers is not currently in good standing with the program."
Chambers participated in spring camp, having been accepted back into the program after sitting out more than a year, and some assistant coaches raved about his talent and progress. Defensive backs coach Nick Howell said at media day on June 27 that Chambers had a chance to make a "significant" impact in the defensive backfield this fall, along with a potential role returning kickoffs and punts.
But that won't happen now.
BYU's release also noted that senior defensive lineman Jordan Richardson has discontinued his career due to a nagging injury (back issues), and will join WR Rhen Brown and safety Jray Galea'i on the sidelines.
Additionally, DB Robbie Buckner, DB Trevor Bateman and DL Taumata Tofi did not report to camp due to medical reasons, but are expected to join the team when school starts.
Transfers joining the program include DB Drew Reilly (Colorado State), DB Adam Hogan (Los Angeles Southwest College) and punter Scott Arellano (Foothill College).
Returned missionaries joining the team this fall include DB Craig Bills, DB Blake Morgan, DL Tui Crichton, DL Bronson Kaufusi, DL Remington Peck and OL Brad Wilcox.
Jacob Hanneman, a DB, recently returned from a mission and will join the team when school starts.
Freshmen who signed in February and will join the program immediately include WR Dylan Collie, DB Matt Hadley, OL Austin Hoyt, DL Theodore King, LB Jherremya Leuta-Douyere, LB Butch Pau'u, LB Rhett Sandlin, RB Jamaal Williams and DB Micah Hanneman.
Micah Hanneman was slated to go on a church mission first before beginning his career, but apparently will take the scholarship vacated by Chambers.
The team also added walk-ons Brayden El-Bakri (Fr. RB), Bryan Engstrom (Fr. RB), Quin Ficklin (Fr. OL), Roman Andrus (Fr. DL), Tyson Brook (Fr. DL), Nate Sampson (Fr. LB) and Morgan Unga (Fr. DB).
