Final week of BYU spring football begins

Practice number 13 is in the books as BYU football began its final week of spring practices Tuesday.

Following practice, members of the team addressed the media to talk about the practice session. Read below some of the comments from head coach Kalani Sitake, linebacker Fred Warner and quarterback Tanner Mangum. Spring football will conclude Friday with the team's annual Football Alumni Day when former players return and participate in activities with the current team. 

QUOTES

BYU head coach Kalani Sitake 

On scrimmage evaluation

I was really pleased with some of the things that we saw. We saw some of the young guys that we can work with. We were able to get a little bit deeper in developing our talent, specifically the young guys. Overall, I thought it was a good spring game and we’ve had good spring practices. I think we’re on track as far as what we want as a coaching staff and in terms of our goals. We’re right where we need to be right now. 

On the progress of the running game

Jamaal had a great day today. He is a great player. Between him and Algie, that’s a lot of touchdowns and a lot of yards that they can produce. We know what they can do, we just want to see what Trey and Squally and KJ can do. Francis can come run the ball once in a while too. We’ve got a good group of running backs. It’s a good squad. 

On summer workouts

I think the leadership on the team is already taking form. I imagine the guys will work hard in the offseason like they are supposed to. They have tons of leaders that can lead the way, so I’m not really concerned about it. From what I’m expecting, I know they’ll be able to handle the offseason conditioning and do it well. We’ve been excited to get them into the weight room and help them become stronger, faster and bigger and that’s the goal. We’ll be ready, and we’ll be a lot different-looking come fall. We’ll be in better shape and ready for game-type situations.

Sophomore linebacker Fred Warner 

On playing alongside his brother Troy

It’s fun. During the scrimmage we got to play together during the skelly period. It’s fun being able to turn to him and tell him the coverage or to look out for the flat, or little things like that. It’s fun when he makes a play I get to run over there and jump on him and celebrate. 

On the defense’s spring progress

I think we’re looking really good. We’re missing a few guys from injuries who are still rehabbing, but we have a lot of guys who are returning and a lot of guys who are making plays in spring. I think it will all come together in the fall, but we look really good right now. 

Sophomore quarterback Tanner Mangum

How’s it feel to have a coach that gets more autograph requests than you?

It’s pretty cool. Sometimes I forget. You know, he’s the Heisman winner. I grew up a BYU fan and always heard about Ty Detmer. So it’s pretty cool to be with him every day. I think the reason I forget is because he’s so humble and down to earth and easy to talk to. 

Learning from Ty Detmer

I think just mentally, being able to process everything. The quarterback position is very cerebral. There is probably a lot of intellectual ability (needed). So he’s just trying to help me slow the game down, being able to pre-snap evaluate the defense, find keys, find little tips that will tip me off to what the defense is doing. And then obviously, during the play, being able to key defenders, see things slower. 

Is there a stat that would be a telling sign of what you’ll do next year?

Completion percentage and then probably touchdown-to-interception ratio—turnovers. For any team to succeed you need to limit turnovers and make good decisions with the ball. That’s something I definitely want to improve is the completion percentage and the touchdown to interception ratio.