Spring Football Day Four

PROVO, Utah – Practices continue to encourage competition and improvement as BYU football wrapped up day four of its spring practices Tuesday.

The team took part in the usual position-specific drills, fine-tuning speed, agility, strength, awareness and effort. Practice highlights included Taysom Hill's long touchdown pass to Nick Kurtz and a fingertip grab from Hill to receiver Travis Frey. Also highlighting the receiving corps were Colby Pearson's catch and Mitchell Juergens' receptions. Defensive backs Garrett Juergens and Grant Jones had consecutive pass breakups with the defense pinned back against the end zone.

The team added several walk-ons to the spring roster since last week in addition to announcing two players who will join the team in the fall. After graduating from high school outside linebacker Scott Huntsman from Texas and quarterback Koy Detmer Jr. will join the team. Detmer is the son of former NFL quarterback Koy Detmer and the nephew of former BYU and NFL quarterback Ty Detmer.

Mendenhall also announced the hiring of Patrick Hickman to fill the position of director of football operations. He had been serving in that position in the interim since before the bowl game in December.

The Cougars continue practices on Thursday in preparation of the Spring Scrimmage Mar. 27.

QUOTES

Bronco Mendenhall

It was cold this morning. Ice on the field when we started, but about half way through, sunny and nice so a nice blend of culture and frosty temperature to test them and then fun to play on the grass and have a lot of cool things happen at the end. Another day in progress for BYU football.

Is this the most compeitive spring in Mitch Mathews' time?

I'm not sure if I could gauge it as more or less competitive. I think it's really productive and I think we're getting a lot accomplished and I think the number of players who are competing and vying for spots might be at the highest level, but Mitch is having a great spring so far. I think he won every drill in the offseason conditioning–every sprint–I don't think he finished second one time. So he's done a nice job. 

On the leadership:

That's probably the biggest positive or takeaway so far, is the senior class. We have holdover captains. We have Taysom and Remington, so there's already an existing learning curve that we didn't have to go through because they both were captains a year ago. I think we've made significant strides in terms of player leadership already.

On using referees in practice:

It's not necessarily injuries nor does it necessarily mean you're going to play better...it doesn't always mean better play, but there are a few types of penalties that we need to clean up and those are the ones before and after the whistle. 

On development of receivers:

They're doing a nice job so far. Mitch as I already mentioned is doing really well. Devon Blackmon has really come along nicely, and then Nick Kurtz is back. If you say just the playmaking ability and dynamic guys that can do it, there's that level. Then when you add Terenn Houk to the mix, and then you add Colby Pearson to the mix, and then you add Mitch Juergens to the mix, there are six targets at least before you even consider other depth players.

QB Taysom Hill

I feel like if I was to play—if we had to play a game on Saturday—I feel like I could do it. I don’t think I would be nearly as explosive as I will be in about a month or two, but I think I could play at a high enough level to be successful.

Mitch (Mathews) and I got here at the same time, got home from missions at the same time. We were good friends right from the beginning and we started throwing together ever since January of 2012, so that chemistry, that connection—whatever you want to call it—has been really good and through the injury there’s been no breakdown.

At the end of the day, I know me, and I’m going to do whatever it takes to win. I realize there’s a balance and that I’m more of a help to the team healthy than I am hurt, so I’m also trying to balance that and factor that in. But it’s not an easy thing, and, come game time, I’m going to do what it takes to win.

Our receiving corps is extremely good. I think a guy like Mitch is one of the best in the country. I honestly believe that, and I think he’ll continue to show that. And I don’t think Nick Kurtz is far behind.

WR Mitch Mathews

This is probably the best, most competitive spring practice I’ve had since I’ve been here. With guys being healthy, guys being on the field and guys wanting to compete for a spot. It’s been very organized, very competitive, and I really appreciate that as a player. Being a leader, it’s really refreshing to see that. I think things are going really well.

Between Taysom and me personally, I think it’s one of those things where we always want to do better in everything we do. We’ll go play PIG on a basketball court or go play golf and we’re always competing. He knows I want to play at the next level. He knows I want to play and win every single game this year, so he’s keeping me accountable in every single part of my game: drop the ball or run a wrong route, he’s keeping me accountable and knows I’m not going to get offended by anything he says, and vice versa. It’s that relationship we’ve built since we got home off our missions and it’s worked really well.

I think we have the right leaders right now. Our best players are our best leaders. I played in the 2009 season with Dennis Pita, Max Hall and those guys when we went 11-2 and finished 12th in the country. Those were some of the best leaders I’ve ever played with, and I have that same feeling about the guys we have now. Our best players are our best leaders and are very competitive guys. From me to Taysom to Bronson to all the other seniors: we’re competitive guys and we don’t let anything slide. I think it’s the right leader in the right place at the right time that makes everything competitive.