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Provo • Perhaps in an attempt to light a fire under returning running backs Mike Alisa and Joshua Quezada, BYU coaches brought in a player to add depth to the position who has never played organized football before, BYU rugby star Paul Lasike.
They also said during signing day that high schooler Jamaal Williams of Fontana, Calif., might be counted on to contribute right away, although the 6-foot-1, 193-pound speedster will be only 17 years old.
Apparently, Alisa and Quezada got the message. Both were impressive in the first week of spring camp.
"I like the combination right now of Juice [Quezada] and Mike Alisa on the field at the same time," coach Bronco Mendenhall said. "That [combination] looks pretty good. That might be something you will see in the fall."
Quezada entered fall camp in 2011 with a severely sprained ankle, and was never really at full strength. He said he's as healthy now as he's ever been, and ready for a breakout season.
Alisa said Friday after a spirited practice that saw scrimmages stopped at least three times due to minor skirmishes that he welcomes the competition.
"Anything coaches can do to help us get better, that's what we want," he said.
Pikula will have a place
Manoa Pikula, the redshirt freshman linebacker from Bingham High, has already impressed coaches with his aggressive, physical play in the first week of spring practices.
"He's playing really well," Mendenhall said, noting that it is not certain whether Pikula will play buck or mike linebacker. "After three days, we've already determined that there's going to be a place somewhere for him. He's probably be a great special teams contributor, but I wouldn't be surprised to see him in the two-deep."
Waiting to walk on
A couple of all-state football players from Alta High School — defensive end Ryan Jensen and running back Bryan Engstrom — attended practice on Thursday and said they plan on walking on to the BYU football team this fall. Both players had scholarship offers from smaller schools, but want to realize their lifelong dreams of playing for the Cougars.
Briefly
Mendenhall said defensive tackle Simote Vea has a chance to be granted an extra year of eligibility by the NCAA and so he is participating in spring practice, having returned all his senior gifts awarded last fall when it appeared his BYU career was over. … Trainer Kevin Morris said defensive back Mike Hague spent part of Thursday night at the hospital emergency room with severe stomach pain, but was still able to practice on Friday. "Maybe a little gall bladder attack," Morris said.
Twitter: @drewjay