There was only one holdout to Kedon Slovis’ plan: BYU tight end Isaac Rex.
In California this spring, where Slovis had gathered a handful of his receivers to train and get to know each other, the schedule called for the group to head out to the golf course after a morning workout. Everyone seemed to be on board, except for Rex, who was dragging his feet.
“Isaac isn’t a huge golfer,” Slovis said. “But we tried to get him into it.”
After some prodding, Rex eventually agreed to go with about a half-dozen other receivers. And in retrospect, of course Rex agreed. When the guy who throws the ball asks you to do something, you do it.
And this has been the summer of Slovis in Provo.
The transfer quarterback has used his first and only offseason with the program to get a crash course in building team chemistry on the fly. That’s meant impromptu three-on-three basketball games, retreats to St. George and, of course, plenty of golf.
“I have played more golf with teammates the last two months than I have my entire life,” Slovis deadpanned. “... It’s something to do and hang out and chill.”
Slovis started this offseason right after spring ball ended. With three weeks off, he went to California for 14 days to throw with former BYU quarterback John Beck.
He crashed at Rex’s house in San Clemente. Freshman tight end Anthony Olsen joined them. Wide receivers Chase Roberts and Parker Kingston eventually came, too. Kody Epps stopped by for a couple of days.
They would throw every morning and go to the beach at night.
For the receivers, former BYU players Dennis Pitta and Austin Collie came out to practice most mornings. Collie had been to Provo earlier that month to observe spring camp.
“They have really dedicated their efforts to help us get ready for the Big 12,” Roberts said.
When the players returned to Provo, offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick and his staff gave Slovis the green light to lead player-run practices. Despite this being his first year, he is the clearcut starter. He largely has been since the moment he stepped on campus this January.
“We will work out from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m,” Slovis said. “Player-run practices will be done at 10:30 or 11 a.m. The rest of the day you kind of get to do what you want.”
And that is when the real work for Slovis begins. He typically takes a quick nap and then it is all about getting the group together.
If there is a pick-up three-on-three game, Slovis will be there. If someone is golfing, he is coming. He has also mixed in spikeball and volleyball. Rex might not be much of a golfer, but he always seems ready for a game of basketball.
“I’ve played more basketball than I have in a long time. Got to be careful,” Slovis said. “But that is what you do as a kid and I haven’t done that since high school.”
Before June let out, Slovis organized a golf retreat to St. George with most of his offense.
“It seems like he’s been everywhere,” head coach Kalani Sitake said. “He just loves being here. He has really connected well with our team. I’m excited to see him play. He is coming into his own.”
On Monday, at a formal golf outing with a few of his teammates, Slovis won the long-drive contest of the day. His teammates cheered as the quarterback sheepishly smirked when they announced he won.
As his receivers yelled for Slovis, it felt like this was his team. When he sat back down after accepting his award, he smiled at the group who was getting ready to play another round of golf after lunch. It will be one of many this summer, which is the way Slovis likes it.
“I don’t know if it is a BYU thing or a Provo thing, but it feels like we football guys are always doing some other activity, which is fun. Guys are active,” Slovis said.
“It is always something going on. Golf has been a huge part of it.”
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