BYU Quarterbacks Have Protected the Football at Record Levels Under Aaron Roderick

BYU has an illustrious history when it comes to quarterback play. BYU quarterbacks have set countless records over the years, and the Cougars have four consensus All-American quarterbacks in their history. Even with the distinguished history at quarterback, the last several BYU signal-callers have rewritten the record books in terms of protecting the football.

Over the last three years, BYU quarterbacks have thrown the fewest interceptions in BYU history. Below are the seasons with the fewest interceptions thrown since 1975. Anything in bold represents a season where Aaron Roderick was the quarterbacks coach:

1. 2020 - 4

2. 2021 - 5

3. 2022 - 7

2018 - 7

5. 1998 - 9

2006 - 9

7. 2001 - 10

8. 2019 - 11

1997 - 11

2010 - 11

1983 - 11

BYU quarterbacks have protected the football at record levels under Aaron Roderick. Aaron Roderick has been on BYU's staff for five years. He joined in 2018 as the quarterbacks coach and the passing-game coordinator. He was promoted to offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach in 2021. In those five years, BYU has started five different quarterbacks: Tanner Mangum, Zach Wilson, Jaren Hall, Baylor Romney, and Sol-Jay Maiava-Peters. Joe Critchlow and Jacob Conover also attempted passes for the Cougars.

In four of those five seasons, BYU quarterbacks have thrown the fewest interceptions in program history. The only year of Roderick's tenure that wasn't in the top five was 2019 where BYU quarterbacks threw 11 interceptions. That is tied for eighth as the fewest in BYU history. It's also worth noting that BYU has recorded three of the best seasons in terms of completion percentage under Roderick (2020 #1, 2022 #7, 2021 #8).

The record books suggest that Aaron Roderick helps his quarterbacks protect the football more than any quarterback coach in BYU history. But the purpose of this article is not to look to the past. Instead, we're looking to the future and what this means for starting quarterback Kedon Slovis in 2023.

Slovis' declining statistical output has been well documented during his career. As a freshman at USC in 2019, Slovis was named the Pac-12 Freshman of the Year after throwing for 3,500 yards, 30 touchdowns, and 9 interceptions. His opportunities were limited by COVID-19 in 2020, then he missed time in 2021 due to injury. After transferring to Pitt for the 2022 season, Slovis threw for 2,400 yards, 10 touchdowns, and 9 interceptions.

If you've seen Slovis on film, his arm talent is undeniable. His ability to fit throws in tight windows is one of the best in college football. Senior Bowl Executive Director Jim Nagy raved about Slovis earlier this year on social media.

"When we talk to NFL scouts, they love his ball placement on midrange throws that are so critical in the pro game. The NFL is all about fitting the ball into tight windows and Slovis has that skill." - Jim Nagy

So what does Slovis need to return to his Freshman All-American form? Aaron Roderick might be exactly what the doctor ordered.

Roderick has designed a quarterback-friendly system at BYU. He has a track record of maximizing the talents of his quarterbacks. According to various people around the program, including Roderick himself, Slovis has comparable talent to former BYU quarterbacks Zach Wilson and Jaren Hall. Both Wilson and Hall were selected in the NFL Draft after their BYU careers.

Interceptions have been a concern at times for Slovis. As we already established, Roderick helps his quarterbacks protect the football, and it's not a leap to assume that the same will apply for Slovis.

Now there's no such thing as a sure thing, especially in college football. Perhaps some of the national analysts will be right and Slovis will continue his downward trajectory. Or maybe Slovis will surprise the college football world and exceed expectations. Roderick has been able to get the most out of the quarterbacks that have played for him. What if Slovis is not only able to return to form but play the best football of his career? That’s not as impossible as some would lead you to believe.

History suggests it would be wise to not bet against the Roderick-Slovis duo. If anything, it might be time to bet on Slovis surpassing expectations in 2023.

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