This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2013, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
The worst-kept secret in Provo was revealed on Wednesday afternoon as BYU released its post-spring camp depth chart. Sophomore Taysom Hill is the starting quarterback, and sophomore Ammon Olsen is his primary backup. There was some speculation that Snow College transfer Christian Stewart had overtaken Olsen in the latter stages of camp, combined with Olsen's PCL injury suffered in the Blue/White Game, but Olsen holds on to the No. 2 spot, for now. "We have named Taysom the starter because of his game experience in 2012, strong leadership qualities and his breakaway speed and athleticism," BYU coach Bronco Mendenhall said in a school news release. "Ammon had a phenomenal spring. I am confident in his ability. We have two very capable quarterbacks." While it was no surprise that Hill grabbed the starting QB spot, there were other stunners on the depth chart. Most notably, 2012 starting receiver Ross Apo has lost his spot to senior Skyler Ridley. Sophomore Mitch Mathews, who had a solid spring camp, is listed as the backup to Cody Hoffman at the other receiver spot. Also, former receiver Brett Thompson, 6-3, 220, is listed as a starter at tight end now, along with incumbent Kane Friel. And Friel is also listed as the backup H-Back to Iona Pritchard. Jamaal Williams and Michael Alisa are the starting running backs heading into fall camp, after Adam Hine made a strong showing to perhaps overtake Alisa. Perhaps the biggest surprise on the defensive side is that senior Tyler Beck is ahead of much-hyped sophomore Manoa Pikula at the buck linebacker position. And senior Mike Hague, should he be granted an extra year of eligibility (quite likely) by the NCAA, will be the starting boundary corner, backed up by Jacob Hanneman, who missed spring practice to play on the Cougars' baseball team. Starting defensive ends Bronson Kaufusi and Remington Peck raved about sophomore Logan Taele in spring camp, and sure enough the 6-2, 240-pound newcomer is listed as Peck's backup at right defensive end. And Austin Holt, who made the switch from tight end, is already in the running to get playing time behind Kaufusi at left end, along with Michael Doman, a sophomore. The post-spring depth chart does not include newcomers who will join the team this summer and suit up for the first time in fall camp. Of those, Oregon offensive lineman Brayden Kearsley probably has the best shot at moving into the two-deep.