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Provo • From quarterbacks Max Hall and Robbie Bosco to linebacker Bryan Kehl, hundreds of former BYU football players, famous and relatively unknown alike, converged at LaVell Edwards Stadium on Friday morning to get their first look at what new coach Kalani Sitake — himself a former Cougar — will bring to the tradition-rich program.
It was Football Alumni Day at BYU as the Cougars held their final spring practice at the stadium and then hosted the ex-players the rest of the day with a luncheon and other events. Former coach Bronco Mendenhall also reached out to former players with a similar day of practice-watching and speeches, but several players said Friday's event had a more genuine feel to it, especially for guys from the Edwards era.
Reconnecting with alumni "is huge for us, especially because they built this place," Sitake said, gazing around LES. "We are in this stadium because of all the hard work and sacrifice they made, so I want our players to be thankful for the players who came before them, and just be grateful for everything they have."
Sitake said he's learned through the years that former players are the best recruiters and often can spot talented players who can thrive at BYU.
"A lot of these guys are good examples of what this program puts out, so we are excited to have them back," Sitake said.
Generally, the new coach was happy with the turnout, especially since the practice was held in the morning when most people are working.
"We thought a lot of people would be coming back into town for [LDS] General Conference and everything, so we thought this would be a good time to do it," he said. "But we will have more alumni events throughout the offseason, this spring and summer."
After signing dozens of autographs, mostly for the sons and daughters of former players, sophomore quarterback Tanner Mangum said he will return the favor some day.
"These guys are the ones that set the standard," Mangum said. "They established the tradition, and to have them turn out like this is pretty special. In fact, I picture myself 20, 30 years down the road, and I would love to come back and still have this brotherhood.
"It is pretty cool that regardless of how long ago you played, you are a brother," Mangum continued. "It is cool to be a part of that BYU family. I am lucky to be a part of it — we all are. So it is cool that we can gather together like this and have that connection."
Linebacker Harvey Langi, speaking publicly for the first time this spring, called Friday "an amazing experience" to be able to perform in front of so many former players he has looked up to while playing at Bingham High, then the University of Utah, and now BYU.
"It is great seeing all these guys that have come out here and played in amazing games, and done amazing plays," Langi said. "Those [plays] are on the films that we still watch. So to see them in person, to shake their hands, give them a hug, gosh, it is humbling. I am grateful that they are all here."
Just as in last week's full-scale scrimmage at LES that drew more than 18,000 fans, the Cougars didn't show much in a short scrimmage at the end of Friday's workout. Senior quarterback Taysom Hill missed all week to attend the Thursday funeral of his brother, Dexter Hill, including Friday's finale.
"I thought we did a pretty good job moving the ball down the field, whether it be through the running game or the passing game," Mangum said, noting that having three practices after the spring game was really helpful in clearing up some mistakes that were made in game.
Of course, the pending quarterback battle between Hill and Mangum that will dominate offseason discussions got no closer to being settled, mostly because Hill is still recovering from the Lisfranc injury in his foot and didn't do nearly as much as Mangum did the last five weeks.
Mangum sidestepped questions on Friday about whether he considers himself the starter coming out of spring camp.
"Every player prepares that way [like the starter]," he said. "Especially in the spring, you are not worried about that. Really, we are just competing against ourselves as an offense to get better and learn this offense and get better as a team.
"Obviously, come fall camp, they will make decisions about starting positions and all that," Mangum continued. "So I am not worried about that. You have to continue to prepare every day like you are going to play. Just like I did last summer — obviously I knew Taysom was the starter, but I still prepared like I was going to play, and that was able to help me once I stepped in. It is up to every player to prepare like they are going to play, like they are going to start. That way, each individual can better themselves and be prepared and ready to go, so that regardless of when you get called in, you are ready to play."
Twitter: @drewjay —
BYU spring practice update
• The Cougars held their final spring practice at LaVell Edwards Stadium in front of hundreds of former players and alumni.
• Quarterback Taysom Hill missed all three practices this week to attend the funeral of his older brother, Dexter Hill.
• Sophomore Tanner Mangum declined to call himself the frontrunner to be the starting quarterback this fall, saying competition is still wide open.