Previewing the Top Position Battles in BYU's Spring Camp
BYU football officially kicks off the 2024 season later this week with the first practice of Spring camp. A lot of starting spots are up for grabs heading into the season. Today, we're previewing the top position battles to follow during Spring camp.
Quarterback
Credit: BYU Photo
All eyes will be on the quarterback battle until the starting quarterback is named. We've talked about this one in the past, so you can read our comprehensive preview of the quarterback battle here. This will be a heated battle that will probably not be settled until Fall camp.
Even if a starter isn't named, some semblance of a pecking order needs to be established. BYU simply has too many players in this room. At least a few of them will need to transfer out after Spring camp.
Cornerback
Jakob Robinson is locked in as one of BYU's starting cornerbacks. The starting spot opposite of Robinson is up for grabs. Weber State transfer Marque Collins should be viewed as a frontrunner. Mory Bamba started against TCU when BYU was dealing with injuries at cornerback.
Then there's young guys like Marcus McKenzie and Therrian Alexander. Those two could be the future at cornerback. It would be really great for the future of BYU's defense if one of those two could prove capable of starting as early as this year.
Safety
Due to injury, there was a revolving door at safety for BYU. Going into 2024, there is a long list of players that will compete for both the free safety and strong safety spots.
Micah Harper might be the most likely starter now that he's healthy. Harper suffered a season-ending knee injury that kept him out the entire 2023 season. Talan Alfrey also missed the majority of the season due to injury. He's another name to keep an eye on.
Ethan Slade, Tanner Wall, Crew Wakley, Raider Damuni, and Preston Rex played most of the snaps in 2023. They will also be competing for spots.
True freshman Thomas Prassas is also enrolled and ready to compete. This room will get even more crowded during Fall camp.
Tight End
BYU veteran Isaac Rex is taking his talents to the NFL. He leaves big shoes to fill at tight end. Converted wide receiver Keanu Hill has put on 25 pounds to compete for the starting job at tight end. He will factor in as a receiving tight end, though it remains to be seen if his blocking can translate to the tight end position.
There's two former four-star recruits that will be two of the top players to follow in camp. Jackson Bowers redshirted in 2023, this could be the year he breaks into the rotation. Ryner Swanson, who signed with BYU back in December, is enrolled and will compete in camp. Swanson is supremely talented and could win the job as a true freshman.
Mason Fakahua, Ray Paulo, Ethan Erickson, and Mata'ava Ta'ase played sparingly in 2023. They will be competing for a spot on the depth chart as well.
Offensive Line
BYU returns three full-time starters in Connor Pay, Weylin Lapuaho, and Brayden Keim. You can sharpie those three names as starters along the offensive line. The other two spots will be up for grabs. Caleb Etienne has all the potential in the world, perhaps a new offensive line coach will help him reach his potential.
Behind those four, BYU is relatively inexperienced. Weber State transfer Jake Eichorn is a name to remember, same with Tyler Little. True freshman Joe Brown has returned from his mission and already been awarded a scholarship. Brown originally committed to UVA when Bronco Mendenhall was the coach. After Mendenhall left, Brown ended up taking a PWO to go to BYU.
Weston Jones, Trevin Ostler, and Jake Griffin are three young guys that could factor in. It wouldn't be surprising if those three became starters during their careers in Provo.
Follow us for future coverage:
Facebook - @CougsDaily
Twitter - @Cougs_Daily and Casey Lundquist at @casey_lundquist
Instagram - @cougs_daily
