PROVO, Utah – The second week of spring football continued for BYU on Thursday afternoon at the Indoor Practice Facility.
Players and coaches are reaching the halfway point in spring as the preparations for the 2019 season move forward.
BYU will host an open spring practice for fans on March 23. Read more about next week's open practice.
The following quotes are from Thursday's post-practice media availability.
Head coach Kalani Sitake
We saw them in full pads today, how do you think it went?
It was good, I mean our guys are physical. The entire day wasn’t live, but I think, like I said, for our O-line and D-line, it’s live for them. But for the most part I thought it was a good physical day. I thought the offense did some really good things today. We saw them take a huge step forward and I like the way the competition is going so far. I’d have to say that offense did a really good job today. Defense made some plays, but a lot of mistakes were made, mostly with the twos and threes, but for the most part I thought the ones did a great job.
How are the quarterbacks looking at this point?
Good. The guys getting all the reps are Jaren, Joe, and Baylor. I think Jaren is doing some really good things and I think it’s really cool that he’s playing both baseball and that he can handle the load of playing football in spring; I think he’s done a great job with it. He’s doing well in academics and then I’m just really pleased with his progress so far. I think Jaren is doing some really good things, I’d say he’s probably the leader out of the group right now.
Is there anyone else (besides JJ Nwigwe) that you’re switching to from offense to defense or vice-versa?
Yeah, I have my eye on a lot of different things and I’m just trying to get the guys on the field and to get them the best chance to compete and provide some depth for us. I can’t say right now specifically, I don’t think any of the players even know what I’m thinking right now. There are some guys that I think could really help on the other side of the ball and changing positions. We’ll probably get there after we think about it and talk about it as coaches over the weekend.
Passing game coordinator/Quarterbacks coach Aaron Roderick
We’ve made a lot of progress. It’s true we’re missing a few guys, but there are a lot of guys that we’re counting on out here. Most of our offensive linemen are out there playing. We’ve got a good group of receivers that we’re going to count on this year. We’re making a lot of progress.
In regard to the quarterbacks, how do you feel about those participating?
They’ve been doing a great job at taking care of the football. All three guys that I’ve taken reps have taken care of the ball and they’re throwing a lot of completions. Today especially, I think we moved the ball up and down the field fairly well and we threw a lot of completions. Jaren I thought had a really good day, Joe made a couple of nice plays as well, Baylor does something every day that keeps him in the mix. He’s a super athlete, super athletic kid. He’s intriguing.
Can you compare where spring is this year compared to where you were at last year?
It’s a world of difference, but it should be. We’re way ahead of where we were a year ago. That was the plan, we said from the beginning, “this isn’t day one of spring, this is day 400 and whatever from where we started.” We’re just trying to pick up where we left off last year and keep progressing.
Do you like the continuity of the guys still at the offensive line?
Yeah those guys are good players and they’ve been through some battles. They learned a lot of lessons this year, both good and bad. They’ve had some tough losses and some great wins. The sky’s the limit for that group. They’re tough, they’re athletic and they’re smart. I can’t wait to watch them. Most of them are going to play together for a couple of years.
Defensive lineman Devin Kaufusi
What are you seeing in spring ball as opposed to spring last year and How has the defense adapted to the changes made from last year?
I think the main thing has been our mindset. Coming to change that has been really neat. With it being my first year last year and just soaking it all in, but being with the same guys on defense and gelling in together has really put ourselves to a higher standard and to have some higher goals because we just want to be different. So we have some different goals and some differences, but it’s mainly our mindset and being able to tie down and make our good better and our better best.
How do you accomplish that?
For us, I think it’s really just about doing what’s expected. The little things, the small and simple things, but doing them consistently and getting it through to the end. We had it show up last year in season, not being able to finish things out, and so really it’s just staying with the plan and staying tough and strong, playing smart and having fun. And it’s having that last throughout the workouts, our academics, out here in practice every day and afterward, whether it’s with recovery or if we’re out with our friends and family. It’s really about trying to change all of us as a whole so when we’re out there on the field together, all 11, it really shows.
Have you seen guys being more vocal on the team?
Definitely. A bunch of the seniors that graduated last year were the leaders. That’s been part of the thing, coming together as a team and having those guys recognize their role on the team. Not only recognizing, but rising to the occasion. Whether it’s good or bad, they’re taking full responsibility of it. Really that’s what it is, taking responsibility as a BYU team and getting back to the greatness of the program but making sure that we’re a different BYU team.
Quarterback Zach Wilson
How’s the shoulder and how’s recovery coming along?
It’s been good. I’ve just been getting back into things mentally, I’m out here trying to take reps and I’m just keeping up with offense and doing as much as I can. But the shoulder’s doing well, I expect it to be better than it was.
When can you start throwing again?
I’m thinking a couple of months, I have my doctor’s appointment coming down, so I’ll just slowly be working into more rehab protocol of strengthening the muscles around it and making sure it helps.
How do you describe your role during the spring?
I’m trying to help all of the other quarterbacks out. I mean, a lot of it is new for them and we’re throwing a lot on their plates. Especially for me, I have to stay involved mentally with a lot of these things because things start to fall off if you don’t keep up with the signals, the calls, the protections, whatever it is. I just have to keep making sure that I’m engaged in every play just like I was out there myself.