BYU opens spring football practices Monday

PROVO – BYU opened spring football on Monday afternoon with its first of 15 practices in preparation for the 2023 season. 

After an 8-5 season in 2022 including a New Mexico Bowl victory, the Cougars are embarking on their inaugural season in the Big 12 Conference in 2023. A new-look roster and additions to the coaching staff aim to build a strong foundation of fundamental work, install and identifying depth over the next six weeks before offseason conditioning. 

During spring, BYU will host its annual coaching clinic on March 23, Pro Day for NFL Scouts and BYU's NFL prospects on March 24, and an open scrimmage on March 31 prior to the Alumni Game. Spring practices are expected to conclude April 14. 

Download the 2023 Spring Preview for more information on spring practices and to get familiar with the 2023 squad. 

BYU head coach Kalani Sitake addressed the media following Monday's first practice, along with defensive coordinator Jay Hill and offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick. New transfer quarterback Kedon Slovis and junior defensive lineman Tyler Batty also answered questions from media members. Read selected quotes below. 

Head Coach Kalani Sitake
On how the first practice went
“It was a good practice. Obviously it was day one of our spring ball, so we had a lot of install we put in for our offense, defense and special teams, but I was pleased with the way the guys performed today. There were some mistakes, but we’ll get better. For day one I was really pleased with it. We have a lot of talent, and it’s just a matter of us putting it together in all three phases.”

On objectives for the first day of practice
“We know who the big guys are for us and who will give us production, so right now it’s just competing for positions and solidifying spots in every position right now.”

On the method for the new defensive coaching staff
“The defense is very familiar to what I am used to. Jay is running things exactly how I would if I was running the defense. High energy, discipline and a focus on playing our base defense first, and then seeing what else we can mix up with it. I think the coaching staff is doing great at utilizing the personnel and talent we have, putting guys in the right spots, and it’s just a matter of them competing. Right now, we don’t have pads on, so it’s all about teaching the fundamentals and techniques so that when those pads come on, we can really get after it and be physical.”

On the quarterback room
“The quarterbacks are way further ahead than I expected them to be. There were obviously some mistakes out there today, but not many came from the quarterbacks. I think a few of the mistakes they had were just them being aggressive on some throws, trying to force the ball rather than take the easier play, but these guys are highly competitive. I thought Kedon Slovis and all the quarterbacks looked great today, no complaints there. There is lots of talent in the quarterback room this year.”

Assistant Head Coach & Defensive Coordinator Jay Hill
On day one’s focus
“Today was pretty basic. We didn’t run a lot of scheme. It was more about how we do things; running to the football, using technique. There’s no pads on yet, so right now it’s about getting better at the other parts of football.”

On his objectives for spring practice
“Right now we need to solidify a depth chart. That’s going to be critical. Then, obviously, it’s critical that the players learn the new scheme. We need to have mastery of it by the time spring is over.”

On the defense overall
“I like the buy-in right now. They’ve bought-in to the new staff, the way we’re coaching and some changes we’ve made in the weight room. The cream of our talent is going to continue to rise to the top as we go through spring.”

On the new staff
“It’s been phenomenal so far. I was so intrigued by the job because of the opportunity to come back and work with Kalani and Aaron and some of the other guys I knew on offense. Then, the ability to build the staff on defense the way we did with Coaches Po’uha, Ena, Poppinga and Gilford. I love this defensive staff. I think we have an opportunity to be really good here.”

Offensive Coordinator Aaron Roderick
On entering the Big 12 this year
“There’s always urgency. Every year there’s something that you’re planning to do, but I think everybody in this place knows what we’re up against this year. We understand there’s not a lot of Big 12 teams afraid of us right now and we’ve got to go and earn respect.”

On being part of the race for conference titles again
“That’s a big deal, because the elephant in the room the last few years has been that if we lose one game, we’re going to the same bowl game we would have gone to whether we were 10-2 or 8-5. Last year, we let our first loss at Oregon really affect us. Even though we won the next two games, we were still lingering and went into a slump. When you’re in a conference, you can look at the standings every Monday, see where you’re at, and then go play, win or lose. You have Kansas State winning the conference championship last year at 9-3. You don’t have to be perfect to play in the championship game to accomplish results, so I’m excited about that."

Quarterback Kedon Slovis
On the first day of spring practice
“I thought it was good. First day, it wasn’t perfect by any means. There’s still some learning curves for everyone, especially with timing. I thought for the most part, for a first day, I was pretty proud of the way guys competed, completed a lot of passes and looked pretty good up front. I was pretty happy with it. Obviously, we have to be better and build on it.”

On what excites him most about spring practice at BYU
“The receivers and everyone know the offense really well. The coaches have been here for a while, it’s been established, so it’s not like you need to go look at the playbook. When I ask a guy a question, they know the answer. The receivers here know the offense better than any receiving corps I’ve been around. That’s really nice. After a play where I wasn’t sure, I could go talk to them. You can’t always do that with receivers but here, they really know what they’re doing.”

On his favorite part of Aaron Roderick’s offense
“We throw it a lot. That’s our identity. He does a great job of protecting the quarterback and being very quarterback friendly. He puts you in a position to get in a rhythm and operate. In the first practice period today, we didn’t have a great rhythm at first but then we found it a period later. That’s a testament to this offense. We might not hit a touchdown on every play but we’re going to find a rhythm because of the way it’s set up.”

Defensive lineman Tyler Batty
On being back at spring football
“I think the most exciting this to be back out here playing football with each other. Installing the new defense has been awesome as well. It was a productive day. We learned. We got better. We hustled. I am proud of how we played.”

On the new defensive staff
“They bring a lot of energy and excitement to practice so it’s been great learning from them.”

On entering the Big 12
“Our intensity has definitely increased in practices. The guys are realizing we are going into a conference and there is more on the line for our program. We will be competing against some great teams and it’s exciting.”

On the new players
“There are a ton of new players. I’ve been around the program since 2019 and it’s been fun to see so many new guys in the locker room and get to know them.”