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Provo • Two of the most prolific offensive players in school history — quarterback Taysom Hill and running back Jamaal Williams — begin training camp with the Green Bay Packers on Thursday, Hill as an undrafted free agent and Williams as a fourth-round draft pick.
The Cougars also begin training camp for the 2017 season Thursday. How well their offense replaces Hill, Williams and their top three receivers from 2016 — Nick Kurtz, Colby Pearson and Mitch Juergens — will go a long way in determining whether coach Kalani Sitake's second season is as successful as his first.
"We've got some great players to replace on offense, no question about that," second-year offensive coordinator Ty Detmer said in June. "We may have to look to other ways to move the ball, though."
In other words, look for the Cougars to throw the ball more. No surprise there.
This is one of the earliest starts ever at BYU because the Cougars open the season Aug. 26 against Portland State, having added the game against a Football Championship Subdivision foe last December as a way to prepare for a September schedule that includes LSU, Utah, Wisconsin and Utah State before an early October game against Boise State.
Junior Tanner Mangum is the starter at quarterback, having started in 12 games as a freshman in 2015 when Hill suffered a season-ending Lisfranc injury in the opener. Mangum set BYU freshman records with 3,377 yards passing and 23 touchdowns two years ago, then completed 22 of 33 passes for 241 yards and three touchdowns last fall, most of those in the bowl game.
"This season is a big season for our program, and we have some big goals for ourselves," he said.
There are few questions on special teams. All the kickers, punters, deep snappers and return specialists return for special teams guru Ed Lamb, the associate head coach.
Key playmakers such as safety Micah Hannemann, cornerbacks Dayan Ghanwoloku (Lake) and Troy Warner and linebackers Fred Warner, Butch Pau'u and Francis Bernard return on defense. Finding an adequate replacement for ballhawking safety Kai Nacua will be second-year defensive coordinator Ilaisa Tuiaki's primary concern, along with developing a relatively inexperienced defensive line that welcomes the return of outstanding pass rusher Sione Takitaki, who was forced to miss the 2016 season for undisclosed reasons.
Defensive linemen Tomasi Laulile and Moses Kaumatule had eligibility remaining but will not return.
The offensive line should be solid, led by All-America candidate Tejan Koroma at center. Tuni Kanuch, Keyan Norman and and Thomas Shoaf also are back for a unit that has 84 combined returning career starts.
The big questions, then, are at the offensive skills positions — receiver, running back and tight end.
Junior Squally Canada is the heir apparent to the bulk of Williams' carries, having rushed 74 times for 315 yards last year, but the running backs room is full with Wisconsin transfer Ula Tolutau, converted linebacker Kavika Fonua, returnee KJ Hall and 2016 redshirts Trey Dye and Riley Burt also pushing for carries.
At receiver, returners Jonah Trinnaman, Talon Shumway and Aleva Hifo are listed as the starters, but Detmer and Sitake are counting on big contributions from two guys who redshirted last year — Akile Davis and Micah Simon.
Moroni Laulu-Pututau has moved from receiver to tight end and will work with Tanner Balderree and promising freshman returned missionary Matt Bushman to bring that position back to prominence.
"Right now, I can tell you, we are not lacking in talent in a lot of places," Sitake said. "We are maybe lacking some depth in places, but for the most part, the talent is there. They just need to compete. We've got some guys who redshirted last year who are going to surprise some people."
Twitter: @drewjay —
BYU's top returners on offense
Category • Player • 2016 Statistics
Rushing yards • Squally Canada • 74 rushes, 315 yards, two touchdowns
Passing yards • Tanner Mangum • 22 of 33 for 241 yards, three touchdowns
Receiving yards • Jonah Trinnaman • 28 catches for 321 yards, one touchdown
Kicking points • Rhett Almond • 17 of 21 field goals, 39 of 40 PATs, 90 points