Cougars report for fall camp, begin practices Thursday

PROVO, Utah – The BYU football team will conduct the first practice of fall camp Thursday afternoon in preparation for the 2012 season opener on Aug. 30. The team opens the season in a nationally featured Thursday-night matchup on ESPN against Washington State in LaVell Edwards Stadium. 

Players reported on Wednesday in anticipation of Thursday’s opening practice session of fall camp.  Some of the events for the team have included a welcome from head coach Bronco Mendenhall, orientation, individual physicals and equipment issue.

New freshman recruits reporting for camp included Dylan Collie (WR), Matt Hadley (DB), Micah Hannemann (DB), Austin Hoyt (OL), Theodore King (DL), Jherremya Leuta-Douyere (LB), Butch Pau’u (LB), Rhett Sandlin (LB) and Jamaal Williams (RB).  The team also added newcomers Brayden El-Bakri (Fr. RB), Bryan Engstrom (Fr. RB), Quin Ficklin (Fr. OL), Roman Andrus (Fr. DL), Tyson Brook (Fr. DL), Nate Sampson (Fr. LB) and Morgan Unga (Fr. DB).

The Cougars welcomed transfers Drew Reilly (So. DB, Colorado State), Adam Hogan (Jr. DB, Los Angeles Southwest College) and Scott Arellano (So. P, Foothill College) to the team. Also reporting for fall camp were returned missionaries Craig Bills (So. DB), Blake Morgan (Jr. DB), Tui Crichton (RS-Fr. DL), Bronson Kaufusi (Fr. DL), Remington Peck (RS-Fr. DL) and Brad Wilcox (Fr. OL).  Jacob Hannemann (Fr. DB) also recently returned from his mission and will join the team when school starts in the fall.

Robbie Buckner (Sr. DB), Trevor Bateman (Fr. DB) and Taumata Tofi (Fr. DL) did not report for fall camp due to medical reasons but are expected to join the team when school starts. Additionally, O’Neill Chambers (Sr. DB) was not invited to participate in fall camp.  Coach Mendenhall indicated Chambers is not currently in good standing with the program.

Three players have discontinued their playing careers due to injuries. Jordan Richardson (Sr. DL) will not return to play his final season, joining the previously announced losses of Jray Galea’i (Jr. DB) and Rhen Brown (Sr. WR).

BYU is entering its second season as a football independent in 2012. Last year the Cougars earned a 10-3 record and fifth national top-25 finish in the last six seasons with a No. 25 final ranking in the USA Today Coaches' Poll.

More information about opportunities for fans to get a look at the team during fall camp.