Without anything else to do this offseason, sidelined by a shoulder injury, Kody Epps has made it a point to sit in on quarterback meetings.
It is not something he has ever done before. The wide receiver used to only attend his mandatory meetings and get out. But without the ability to workout, and a new quarterback to mesh with, Epps has decided to go all-in on the scheme side of things.
“I just want to hear that dialect. See what they’re thinking, see what’s going on in there,” Epps said. “I want to be as locked in as possible. I definitely want to be someone you can rely on to understand the offense’s ins and outs. I’m looking at what the running backs are doing, the linemen are doing, the quarterback is doing.”
Epps was the breakout leader in the receivers room last year before he was injured, leading the team with 459 yards and 39 catches. Now, though, there is a fear that him missing spring practice will hinder his ability to jell with new quarterback Kedon Slovis. A lack of connection could bleed into a rocky 2023.
And being fair, there is still that fear. But with Epps sitting with Slovis in the film room, there is at least the hope they will form a relationship without practice.
“I mean, he’s my quarterback, so of course I want to make sure we have a relationship,” Epps said. “We got a bond, but it all comes naturally.”
Epps is expected back in the summer. If all goes to plan, he will be cleared for contact in April.
Quick hits
New starting quarterback Kedon Slovis once called Provo weird, likening it to “The Truman Show.” Now he will lead BYU into the Big 12. How the odd marriage came about, and why Slovis is ready to be the face of a culture that is foreign to him.
With spring practice underway, here are five storylines to watch from now until April.
BYU looked for a wide receiver in the transfer portal but came up empty. It will look again after spring. But what type of receiver will the Cougars be scouting for?
Around the Big 12
Baylor — Will running backs make a resurgence in Waco this spring?
UCF — Hired former Auburn running back Kam Martin on its new offensive staff.
Cincinnati — Is ready for its first spring under new coach Scott Satterfield.
Houston — Could the Cougars break through in the Big 12 in basketball before football?
Iowa State — Is adding reinforcements at linebacker.
Kansas — The health of returning QB Jalon Daniels will be top of mind in spring practice.
Kansas State — Is QB Will Howard ready to take on the bulk of the offensive duties?
Oklahoma — Looks ready for a $250 million expansion plan for athletic facilities.
Oklahoma State — Landed a Texas recruit through some unique means.
TCU — Former head coach Gary Patterson is stepping away from his role with Texas after one year.
Texas — Can Arch Manning play year one?
Texas Tech — Head basketball coach Mark Adams was suspended for “racially insensitive” comments made to a player
West Virginia — Can the Mountaineers land some high-profile recruits from the Under Armour Camp Series?
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