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Provo • With so many starting offensive linemen and mainline offensive players such as Ross Apo, Austin Holt, Richard Wilson and JD Falslev missing BYU's spring football practices, it is difficult to assess whether the Cougar defense is really that good, or just benefitting from subpar competition.
But senior linebacker Uona Kaveinga, who knows a little bit about defensive talent after transferring to BYU from USC, says the domination being dished out on almost a daily basis at spring camp is not something that should be downplayed.
Kaveinga said Tuesday that the defense BYU puts on the field this fall has the potential to be the best in coach Bronco Mendenhall's eight-year tenure, if not school history.
"This is the most talented it will ever be, since coach Mendenhall has been here," Kaveinga said. "I mean, the talent level, the athletic ability, it is just crazy. We got depth, too, and man, it is just scary."
Tuesday, quarterbacks Riley Nelson, James Lark and Ammon Olsen combined to go 0-for-8 and the only positive yardage was Nelson's 11-yard scramble as the defense again dominated the 11-on-11, non-padded scrimmages.
"Talent-wise, we match up well" with USC, said Kaveinga, when asked to compare his former program with the one he shined for last season. "I mean, two different schools, two different linebacking [units]. Over there, they have all the fame and all the publicity. At BYU, it is a different vibe over here. But talent-wise, athletic ability-wise, I mean, why not? We can match up with anybody."
The defense is also without several mainline players this spring, including linebackers Kyle Van Noy (shoulder surgery) and Brandon Ogletree (fractured foot) and cornerback Preston Hadley (shoulder surgery).
Kicking gamble
With kicker Justin Sorensen sidelined this spring after surgery a month ago to clean up some bone spurs in his back, the Cougars have only tried two field goals in scrimmages. Riley Stephenson made both attempts, but Mendenhall said having the senior punter double as a place-kicker is not ideal.
"We don't really have another [kicker]," he said. "Hopefully, [Sorensen] can come back and be ready [for fall]. ... But yeah, there's a risk there [that he won't]."
Briefly
Projected starting safety Joe Sampson missed Tuesday's practice to concentrate on his academics. ... O'Neill Chambers, the former receiver, has been working out at field corner and has snagged a couple of interceptions in the last few practices. ... Mendenhall said Ziggy Ansah, the converted track star, is going to play both outside linebacker and defensive end this season, "because he can do both."
Twitter: @drewjay —
Spring scrimmage
P At LaVell Edwards Stadium
Saturday, noon
Admission • Free
Format • Short scrimmage