BYU football concludes day 7 of spring

BYU football started its third week of spring practices with the team's seventh practice session on Tuesday morning. The Cougars will conduct 15 practices in all before concluding camp on Friday, April 1 with Football Alumni Day. The public scrimmage will take place Saturday, March 26 at 2 p.m. at LaVell Edwards Stadium.

Read below what some of the coaches and players had to say following practice. 

QUOTES

BYU head coach Kalani Sitake
On how the team looks in spring practice:
"This is a really mature group and I’m really proud overall about how they’ve worked together with what we’re asking them to do. A lot of our coaches are really demanding, but teaching the fundamentals and techniques has gone really well for our staff."

On his coaching role:
"I feel like I’m involved with a lot of the guys, but more than anything I’m there supporting the coaches as they teach their guys. I know what’s going on on the offensive side and defense or special teams, but there’s not a lot of yelling from me.”

On team leadership:
"Here we’ve got a lot of natural leaders and a bunch of guys that have played a lot of reps that can help train the younger guys. The fact that a lot of these guys are natural leaders is really exciting for me as a coach because that’s something I don’t have to worry about. We just have to keep building on their strengths and talents.”

Assistant head coach Ed Lamb
On Spring practice progress:
“We’ve seen the most progress in fundamentals and footwork. I work most with the safeties and secondary and from a special teams point the whole roster. I think that early it was hard with new systems, new schemes and new coach and buzzwords and how that translated into their footwork. But our footwork is getting better and better every day, and it’s about where I would expect it.”

Junior LB Va’a Niumatalolo
On learning the new defensive scheme:
“It’s a lot of fun so far. I feel like we’re really aggressive and we’re starting to really get into a good groove between the linebackers and the defensive linemen. It’s been really good.”

Senior WR Nick Kurtz
On Spring practice progress:
"It’s been really good. It’s exciting to go out every day and have a blast, smiling, having fun and talking to the defense. This staff is definitely exciting and they’re bringing something new to the table."