BYU football concludes spring ball with alumni day

BYU football concluded its spring football practices Friday with its annual Alumni Day. 

Former players along with their families watched practice at LaVell Edwards Stadium prior to lunch with the team at the outdoor practice field. Activities continued throughout the afternoon, includling the opportunity to hear from Coach Sitake. Alumni spanning various eras from as early as 1960 to as recent as 2015 were in attendance. 

Following practice players and coaches came together to sing the Cougar Fight Song with all the alumni in attendance. Afterward, players, coaches and alumni spoke with the media. Quotes from head coach Kalani Sitake, defensive coordinator 'Ilaisa Tuiaki, sophomore quarterback Tanner Mangum, senior linebacker Harvey Langi and sophomore wide receiver Moroni Laulu-Pututau are included below. 

For a slideshow of photos from practice and the alumni event, click on the link below.

PHOTO GALLERY

QUOTES

Kalani Sitake, BYU head coach

On final practices this week:
These practices have been really big for us, especially after evaluating the spring game and seeing what we can do differently. Our focus now is to start preparing for the season. We were able to put in our game plan and see what we can do against Arizona.

On first spring ball being the head coach:
It’s a new experience. I am not just on one side of the ball anymore. As a team we have gotten a lot better. This spring we were able to develop a large amount of young players. It was a really productive spring for our team.

What questions were answered over the last month about the team?
A lot of the young guys are stepping up to the plate and showing what they can do. Also the offensive line has come a long way as far as blocking schemes and our run game. Today was probably our best day blocking, so it was good to end on a good note. Overall, I would say I’m happy with where our team stands right now. We are on track to where we need to be.

Will there be more position changes during the offseason?
There will always be position changes. We want to get the best 11 on the field, that’s the goal. Most guys want to start and get on the field any way they can, and we try to find the best at every position.

‘Ilaisa Tuiaki, BYU defensive coordinator

On how his first spring ball was as a defensive coordinator:
It was a blast—had fun throughout the whole spring. It was also very educational. I thought the players did a great job learning the new schemes.

Biggest thing he learned about the defense:
The simpler we make the calls, the faster we play. We got to a point this spring where we started to force install for camp, but you could see the players thinking on the field. When everybody is sound and playing fast, we look really good. When they are thinking too much on the field, that is when we make mistakes.

Groups that made improvement this spring ball:
Everybody made improvements this spring. The first linebacker group is looking really talented. The backup linebackers are looking really good also. I loved how the corners competed this spring; early on, I know it was difficult for them because we were asking them to do something different, but they responded to the challenge and they look good. The defensive line is also getting much better. There is still room for a lot of improvement. We have a few guys that we need to get back (Travis Tuiloma and Logan Taele).

Transitioning to the 4-3, what’s the biggest stumbling block you have faced?
Teaching the defensive line that it’s okay to make plays. What they have been used to is holding blocks so the linebackers to make plays. We want both positions groups to make plays when they have to ability to. Coach Kaufusi is doing a great job with those guys and they're coming along.

Tanner Mangum, QB, So.

On what is ahead now that spring has finished:
It’s on us now to build on what we’ve started and continue to improve. We’ve only had 15 practices, which is not that much, so we’ve got to be able to take what we’ve learned and what we’ve already established and build on that throughout the summer. I think that’s just going to come on us as players.

What’s it like to have the former players there?
It’s great. These guys are the ones who set the standard. They established the tradition and to be cheered on by them is pretty special. I picture myself 20 or 30 years down the road, and I would love to be able to come back and still have this brotherhood. It’s pretty cool that regardless of how long ago you played, you’re a brother. You’re part of that BYU family. I’m lucky to be a part of it. We all are. It’s cool that we can gather together like this and have that connection.

On Moroni Laulu-Pututau:
Moroni’s awesome. Not only was he an amazing missionary down in Chile, but he’s an amazing player, an amazing friend. He did a really good job of taking an even bigger role. Near the end of last season he started coming out, playing strong toward the end of the season, and now he’s built on that. He had a really good spring. He’s become one of the top guys, one of my top targets. I love throwing to him, so we’re excited to have him. Excited to see what he’s going to do this year.

On the offensive line progression:
Big improvements. I think learning a new offense–a new pro-style offense, different run schemes, different adjustments–they did a good job picking it up. I think today they really finished strong. We had some really good runs. The run game was looking pretty good. We’re in a good position now to continue improving. I think from day one to now, we’ve made big improvements. Now it’s going to be on us to continue that towards the season.

Harvey Langi, LB, Sr.

How is the defense coming along?
It’s coming along great. We’re all on the same page. It’s a new defense-switched up. A lot of the same concepts, but everyone’s on the same page. We’re all helping each other out. We have a great coaching staff up there coaching their butts off for us there on the second floor. And everyone’s buying in. It’s a good feeling. So the defense is coming up.

How does it affect you?
The change allows me to be more free. The D-linemen are going to put a lot of the load on their backs, but they can handle it. And they have been handling it well. For me it’s just go get the ball, so it’s fun.

What does it mean to you to see the former players here?
Oh man! I want to do this in the future. Seeing all these guys who have come out here and have played amazing games and done amazing plays. Those are the films that we still watch. To see them in person, to shake their hands, to give them a hug—gosh, it’s humbling. I’m way grateful that all of them are here. It’s an amazing experience to have them all out here.

What’s the biggest thing you’ve learned?
The biggest thing I’ve learned is that this team can’t move forward unless we all buy in, unless we all stop the judgmental feel that goes through teams sometimes. Some people might look at success in others and start getting down on themselves. The biggest think I’ve learned is that we all just need to rally up together, put our head down and just grind. There are no excuses. That’s the biggest thing I’ve learned is just unity, coming together as a family. It’s amazing. It’s a good change, a good feeling. I like it a lot.  

Moroni Laulu-Pututau, WR, So.

On getting to experience his first spring ball:
Participating this spring helps a lot. Last year I came off my mission, and coming into fall camp I had to try to pick up everything really quick. Having this extra time will help my game a bunch.

On players graduating and he and others having to step up:
Football… that’s just how it is. Were used to it. We are all here for a reason. We have a great group of guys that can all make great plays.