It’s been the talk of the past few days: Who will return for BYU football next season, and who will declare for the NFL draft?
One player, redshirt sophomore Clark Barrington, already answered that question earlier this week when he said he’s coming back. But others have been mum on the subject.
On Friday, as the Cougars prepared to play the University of Alabama at Birmingham in the Independence Bowl on Saturday in Shreveport, La., running back Tyler Allgeier and wide receiver Gunner Romney were each asked about their future plans with the BYU football program.
“Right now, I am not really focused on that,” Romney said. “All the focus has been on preparing for this bowl game. And I think what me and Tyler have both been talking about a lot has really just been to put all of our effort into this game and then we can decide afterwards. We have time to do that afterwards.”
When asked to the same question, Allgeier simply replied, “What Gunner said.”
Allgeier had a breakout 2021 season for the Cougars. He amassed 20 rushing touchdowns, tied for first in the country and second most for a season in BYU history. He also finished the regular season as the record holder in yards per carry (6.37) and second all-time in rushing yards for a season (1,409).
Romney is one of the team’s most important receivers, but he’s been in and out of the lineup all year due to a nagging knee injury. However, he will be back on the field for what may be his final game in a Cougars uniform.
“We’re looking forward to getting Gunner back,” coach Kalani Sitake said.
(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Brigham Young Cougars wide receiver Gunner Romney (18) pulls in a long pass as he’s pressured by South Florida Bulls defensive back TJ Robinson (2) in game action between the Brigham Young Cougars and the South Florida Bulls at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo, Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021.
The Cougars have one more game, a chance at an 11-win season, and an opportunity to cement themselves as one of the top teams in the country.
And as the Cougars have prepared all week to face UAB, the feeling around the team has been one that hasn’t been felt quite as much this season as the past several days.
“We’re extremely hungry,” Romney said. “You know that is probably the No. 1 thing when it comes to bowl prep that people talk about is that whoever is the most motivated wins this game. ... I feel like practices have been more competitive than they have been all season. We have been getting chippy with each other and getting in fights because everyone is competitive and everyone is hungry to play another game.”
Sitake has been pleased to see the “razor-sharp” focus from his players throughout the week.
“I think these guys get a little bit jealous when players are playing football games and they’re not playing,” Sitake said. “I saw it during the bye week ... that these guys are anxious and just want to get out there and play. It’s nice to be a coach of a bunch of young men who are hungry and want to play. I think if these guys wanted to, they’d love to play in another bowl game if possible. That’s how these guys are.”
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