With a new conference, new quarterback and new defensive staff in Provo, there will be no shortage of questions around BYU this spring.
While the 15 allotted practices aren’t always the best indicator of the future, spring camp will at least offer an initial data point for the 2023 season. It will also include a spring game on March 31.
Here are the five most important storylines as spring camp gets underway March 6.
Quarterback overload, future unknown
It might be the most obvious talking point this spring, but that doesn’t make it any less important.
BYU has an overly crowded quarterback room right now, with four scholarship players and two preferred walk-ons this spring. Obviously, there isn’t enough room for all of them to make the depth chart in August. Beyond that, not all of them can be legitimate pieces of BYU’s future at the position.
With a rare open quarterback competition this spring, this might be the best chance guys get to play themselves into that future — or weed themselves out of it. Outside of starter Kedon Slovis, everything else is up for grabs.
Cade Fennegan, for example, comes into his third year in the program. He was the third-string quarterback last year. If he can make a jump and be the primary backup for Slovis, he could make a legitimate case to be the starter in 2024. But if he gets leapfrogged this spring by younger players, it would be hard to find a pathway. At that point, what does he do?
Then there are guys like Jake Retzlaff, a junior college transfer, who has the experience to push for the backup role too. If he learns the offense quickly and beats out Fennegan, will he make himself the heir for 2024?
After those two guys, there is also Ryder Burton (true freshman) and Nick Billoups (PWO) who could further complicate the situation.
No matter how it shakes out, the pecking order at quarterback by the end of spring will say a lot about the future. No competition has been this open in years at BYU. But without Zach Wilson, Jaren Hall, Baylor Romney and Jacob Conover in the room, there is no clear lineage at the position mapped out. It might be the last spring we get like this for a while.
New coordinator … new scheme?
With new defensive coordinator Jay Hill in his first season, spring practice will offer an early look at the scheme he wants to run.
His transfer portal acquisitions — which featured a heavy dose of pass rushers and defensive lineman — would indicate he wants to blitz more and get better on the interior defensive line. In early February, he confirmed that is where he thought BYU’s biggest weakness was in the past.
But we still have yet to see what exactly that translates to scheme-wise. He has hinted BYU could play with three down-linemen or four down-linemen depending on the look. In spring practice, he can start tinkering.
Beyond that, spring will also be a time to see where guys fit best in his system in terms of position changes and usage.
Look at incoming recruit Siale Esera as an example (even though he will come in the summer). He is a guy who could play as an edge rusher, or at linebacker. Where will Hill have him in this system? Another more familiar name is Tyler Batty. Viewed as a talented pass rusher, he has never truly lived up to that moniker. Will a new system that values sacks unlock his potential?
These are the types of questions the defense will get more clarity on.
Offensive line uncertainty
Offensive line went from a strength to an unknown in a matter of months this offseason in Provo. With Clark and Campbell Barrington off to Baylor, and Blake Freeland and Harris LaChance in the NFL draft; there are only three core guys left on the line.
Kingsley Suamataia, Brayden Keim and Connor Pay are the lone starters returning. Offensive line coach Darrell Funk will have to mix and match a bevy of transfers and younger players to fill in the final two spots. He could even move returners like Suamataia to try to make the puzzle work.
In terms of the newcomers, Utah transfer Paul Maile will certainly be in the mix. He started 12 games at center last year, but it is unclear where he will play at BYU. Pay started most games at center in 2022, but he could move over and let Maile take the snapping duties.
The Cougars also brought in Ian Fitzgerald from Missouri State and Weylin Lapuaho from Utah State. They have size but it is unclear where they fit into the new-look line.
In the past, Funk has preferred to set the starting offensive line by the end of spring so they could work all summer. This might be harder with as many moving parts.
Wide receiver one
There is no Gunner Romney or Puka Nacua in the wide receiver room anymore. Last year, BYU’s main concern was who would fill the third receiver role behind them. Now it is who will emerge as the No. 1 option for Slovis?
Keanu Hill, Kody Epps and Chase Roberts are the obvious options to choose from. They combined for 1,388 yards and 16 touchdowns last year.
This spring all three will have the chance to take that spot. Epps is coming off an injury to his shoulder (and will sit out). But Roberts and Hill will be ready. For now, it is anybody’s position. Fesi Sitake mentioned he doesn’t necessarily need a No. 1 option, but he would like be more “specific” than just a trio of guys.
Another transfer starting running back ?
Last year, BYU went to the transfer portal to fill the starting running back duties — getting Chris Brooks from Cal. This year, it did the same with Aidan Robbins from UNLV.
This go around, though, Robbins might have more internal competition for the starting role. Unlike last year when there were unproven younger running backs, this spring BYU has Miles Davis and Hinckley Ropati who logged serious carries in 2022.
It will make this competition for the starting running back spot slightly more interesting. Also, given the Brooks was dealing with injuries and at times underperformed last year, it might force Harvey Unga to be a little less comfortable to hand over the reins to a transfer as quickly.
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