Brigham Younger Cougars quarterback Jaren Corridor warms up in Allegiant Stadium previous to the Vegas Kickoff Basic between BYU and Arizona in Las Vegas on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021. As a result of the Cougars misplaced No. 2 general choose Zach Wilson and a number of other different offensive stalwarts to the NFL draft after the 2020 season, BYU’s offense in 2021 was imagined to be in rebuilding mode Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret Information
As a result of the Cougars misplaced No. 2 general choose Zach Wilson and a number of other different offensive stalwarts corresponding to receiver Dax Milne and deal with Brady Christensen to the NFL draft after the 2020 season, BYU’s offense in 2021 was imagined to be in rebuilding mode.
Guess once more.
Behind an offense that ranked No. 17 nationally in yards per recreation (452.6) and No. 28 nationally in factors per recreation (33.1), the Cougars defeated six Energy 5 packages, went 5-0 in opposition to the Pac-12 and completed with a 10-3 report. They posted an excellent season marred solely by a 31-28 upset loss to UAB within the Independence Bowl.
Clearly, offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick’s high-scoring crew was the power of the workforce, as beginning quarterback Jaren Corridor crammed in nearly seamlessly for Wilson and obtained excellent assist when he couldn’t play resulting from damage from the likes of backups Baylor Romney and Jacob Conover.
“We're going to have a very good workforce. The uncooked materials we're working with is nearly as good because it has ever been, since I've been right here.” — BYU offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick.
So, what does Roderick have in retailer for 2022?
Though the Cougars will lose junior working again Tyler Allgeier to the NFL draft and a number of other different key contributors, particularly heart James Empey and receivers Neil Pau’u and Samson Nacua, from an offense that most likely would have accomplished extra if the protection had been higher at getting off the sectorand stopping opponents on third and fourth down, the cabinet isn’t naked. Removed from it.
“We're going to have a very good workforce,” Roderick mentioned after the third follow of spring camp. “The uncooked materials we're working with is nearly as good because it has ever been since I've been right here.”
Having wrapped up spring camp on March 31, BYU coaches have been taking slightly time without work, however they've additionally been conducting exit interviews with gamers and updating them on their standing inside the program, and their perceived futures. Naturally, there can be some attrition, particularly this yr due to the glut of personnel resulting from COVID-19 and the NCAA permitting gamers an additional yr of eligibility with out growing the roster limits.
No fewer than 10 BYU gamers have entered the switch portal for the reason that season ended. Coach Kalani Sitake mentioned the ultimate day of spring camp that there can be extra. No shock there. Upgrading the roster’s general expertise stage is a precedence because the Cougars get nearer to Huge 12 entrance.
Coaches have additionally been hammering out their post-spring depth charts, which hadn’t been formally launched by BYU as of Monday.
Who will change the few gamers who've moved on? Right here’s the Deseret Information’ third-annual post-spring stab at what the offensive depth chart will seem like in 2022. Our guesses for the defensive and particular groups depth chart can be printed in a separate article later this week:
No questions at beginning quarterback
Historical past has confirmed that at any time when BYU has a senior quarterback, the Cougars have thrived on offense, in order that portends good issues in 2022. Technically, Corridor is listed as a junior on BYU’s roster, however this can be his fifth season in Provo, and he’s hinted that it is going to be his final. He's already older than most school seniors, having served a two-year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Sacramento, California, earlier than enrolling at BYU in 2018.
By all accounts, Corridor was in full management of the offense in spring camp and added some arm power to his repertoire by offseason exercises with former BYU QB John Beck and others.
“I feel having a returner at any of your massive playmaker positions is large for an offense, to not point out our whole offensive line is again,” Corridor mentioned. “With that comes a larger grasp on the offense. There may be extra management and command, not simply from the quarterback. All people talks in regards to the quarterback commanding the offense, however in our case with our skilled receivers, tight ends and O line, everybody takes command of their job and holds one another accountable. So I feel that alone has put us fairly a bit forward of final spring ball. We've got quite a bit to look ahead to this fall.”
Corridor, the primary African American beginning quarterback in BYU historical past, gained the job final August and began in 10 video games, profitable eight of them, and accomplished 64% of his passes for two,583 yards and 20 touchdowns, with solely 5 interceptions. He advised the Deseret Information in March that he want to get “extra well-rounded as a quarterback” earlier than fall camp begins in early August.
“So there are lots of small issues I can be engaged on, simply spending on the day and the week,” he mentioned.
Corridor’s backup can be redshirt freshman Jacob Conover, barring an unexpected flip of occasions between now and the opener on Sept. 3 at South Florida. Roderick mentioned halfway by camp that Conover had emerged as QB2, and Sitake confirmed that evaluation the ultimate day.
Sitake additionally confirmed that Boise State switch Cade Fennegan was slowed by an undisclosed damage in camp, which restricted his reps; Sol-Jay Maiava-Peters and walk-on Nick Billoups additionally obtained reps.
Operating backs room is prepared
The story of how Allgeier went from a walk-on who needed to work at Walmart gathering purchasing carts to make ends meet to a linebacker after which a big-time working again is properly documented. The Fontana, California, product made himself a possible NFL draft choose by setting a college single-season speeding report with 1,601 yards (5.8 per try) and 23 touchdowns in 2021.
Who will change him?
Operating backs coach Harvey Unga advised the Deseret Information that there are many excellent candidates, with out naming a particular starter for the opener. So we'll do it for him: Christopher Brooks. The Cal switch was simply BYU’s largest offseason acquisition, and will make the sort of affect that Washington switch receiver Puka Nacua had in 2021, coaches say.
Having rushed for 607 yards and 4 touchdowns for the Bears in 2021, Brooks ought to be capable to surpass these marks in 2022, if he stays wholesome.
“He can have a task within the offense, for positive,” Unga mentioned. “He’s massive, quick and explosive. He’s obtained nice instincts, and he can run over individuals as properly.”
Primarily based on expertise alone, we’re going with sixth-year senior Lopini Katoa as Brooks’ main backup. Katoa misplaced carries to the proficient Allgeier, for apparent causes, in 2021 after each entered the season as co-starters, however nonetheless had 61 carries for 242 yards.
Jackson McChesney, Miles Davis and transformed quarterback Mason Fakahua additionally obtained reps in spring camp. Not a lot was seen of junior school switch Hinckley “Folau” Ropati, who attended practices however didn’t get any reps when in media-viewing parts of practices.
“We are able to play in so many various personnel teams, so that is most likely essentially the most personnel versatility I've ever had,” Roderick mentioned. “We are able to present lots of personnel teams, lots of formations, and we're doing lots of issues this spring that I feel are fairly thrilling, issues that we haven’t accomplished earlier than.”
A giant place battle brewing at receiver
There’s no thriller on the prime two receiver spots, as Washington switch Puka Nacua and fifth-year senior Gunner Romney type a strong one-two punch and lead what ought to be among the best receiver teams in class historical past. Nacua, a junior, proved to be nearly as good as marketed in 2021, catching 43 passes for 805 yards and 6 touchdowns. He averaged 67.1 receiving yards per recreation.
Romney was BYU’s third-leading receiver (behind Puka Nacua and Pau’u) final yr regardless of taking part in in solely 10 of 13 video games. He caught 34 passes for 594 yards and three TDs.
“I've been actually pleased with our receivers,” passing recreation coordinator Fesi Sitake mentioned. “There are clearly nonetheless little areas we will enhance in, however the depth in our room is one thing I'm actually pleased with. … We've got an id that's being created. We're being tremendous bodily and making performs.”
The Cougars completed spring camp with Keanu Hill, Chase Roberts, Brayden Cosper and Kody Epps competing to be WR3. We’re going with Hill as the person for now, after the Texan completed 2021 with a flourish.
Actually, all six receivers ought to hit double digits in catches, particularly if injured tight finish Isaac Rex is delayed in returning from a devastating ankle and foot damage he suffered in opposition to USC. Particular groups stars Talmage Gunther and Hobbs Nyberg may additionally push for enjoying time.
Behind Rex, junior Dallin Holker is a star on the rise and would begin at most locations.
Ethan Erickson, a redshirt freshman, obtained lots of reps in spring camp and seemed good at tight finish, together with Lane Lunt. Others had been out with accidents.
Brooks isn’t the one switch from a Pac-12 college that ought to assist the BYU offense this yr. Former Stanford fullback Houston Heimuli will be a part of returning starter Masen Wake on the fullback/hybrid wing TE place, so the Cougars ought to be strong there.
A deep and skilled offensive line
As has been talked about, the offensive line ought to be a power for not solely BYU’s offense, however its whole workforce. The group options lots of workforce leaders and two- and three-year starters.
Second-year offensive line coach Darrell Funk can go 9 or 10 deep there, even with the departure of Empey to the skilled ranks and the lack of former three-star recruit Tysen Lewis to medical retirement.
The 2-deep on the left facet of the road might be the simplest to name, as left deal with Blake Freeland and left guard Clark Barrington seemingly have these spots nailed down.
Sophomore Connor Pay and senior Joe Tukuafu are the very best choices at heart, with Pay filling in there most of 2021 when Empey went down.
Freshman All-American Campbell Barrington shined at proper deal with final yr after Harris LaChance sustained a critical decrease leg damage. Campbell performed quite a bit at proper guard in spring camp, so we'll pencil him in there and assume former five-star recruit Kingsley Suamataia, the Oregon switch, is the starter at proper deal with.
Clearly, LaChance and Tukuafu have lots of beginning and taking part in expertise, however may begin the yr as backups. Sophomore Brayden Keim and senior Keanu Saleapaga, again after briefly leaving this system a number of years in the past, additionally add depth and make our two-deep itemizing, together with sophomore Seth Willis.
Add all of it up, and expectations are excessive for an offense that averaged 33 factors and 452 yards per recreation final yr.
“We don’t actually speak expectations, to be trustworthy,” Corridor mentioned. “We've got objectives for our seasons, however expectations sensible, we simply attempt to go play, play free. No expectations, aside from to play our greatest and execute the way in which we all know tips on how to, and kinda let the outcome fall into place.”
BYU’s projected offensive depth chart
Starter — Backup
QB 3 Jaren Corridor (Jr.) — 17 Jacob Conover (Fr.)
RB 2 Christopher Brooks (Sr.)— 4 Lopini Katoa (Sr.)
WR 18 Gunner Romney (Sr.) — 20 Brayden Cosper (Jr.)
WR 12 Puka Nacua (Jr.) — 27 Chase Roberts (Fr.)
WR 1 Keanu Hill (So.) — 0 Kody Epps (Fr.)
TE 83 Isaac Rex (So.) — 5 Dallin Holker (Jr.)
FB/W 13 Masen Wake (Jr.) — 35 Houston Heimuli (Sr.)
LT 71 Blake Freeland (Jr.) — 64 Brayden Keim (So.)
LG 74 Clark Barrington (Jr.) — 61 Keanu Saleapaga (Sr.)
C 70 Connor Pay (So.) — 52 Joe Tukuafu (Sr.)
RG 74 Campbell Barrington (So.) — 69 Seth Willis (So.)
RT 78 Kingsley Suamataia (Fr.) — 76 Harris LaChance (Jr.)