Speaker 1: This year, and they'll break it all down in a
reading between the line segment. Ben breaks down the latest
sound from BYU coaches and players right now on Cougar Sports.
Speaker 2: Welcome back Cougar Sports. One of three nine ninety eight
point three EESPN the fan. I'm been critinal broadcasting from
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A with our tax more wealth advisors, our certifyed financial planners.
Nobody does it better than Blaine Anderson and his crew.
It is time for a little reading between the lines,
gonna break it all down some Camp Kallani commentary head
coach Kilani address the media and we're going to delve
into all of it here on your Utah ESPN Radio Network.
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Kilani addressing the media after spring practice this past week. Uh, kialan,
any idea, any idea when you guys are going to
scrimmage yet? Oh?
Speaker 3: Probably on Saturday? Okay, you know so next week, next week?
Speaker 4: Yeah, and then I like, like I said, there's gonna
be some live work and uh how much. We'll kind
of figure it out as we go along, but I
think we have an idea of what we want to do.
Speaker 3: But again, it's.
Speaker 4: Just more seeing some guys that haven't done it before,
and we're gonna have it in the stadium. So but
that's probably when we're gonna be able to get some
life work. I think for the on line D line,
all of it's pretty much live. They just don't take
tackles to the ground. But uh yeah, on that, I
think we scold with our schedule. I like, what the
what the guys are doing and team looks. I mean,
we have a chance, so we'll see what happens.
Speaker 2: Gotta start putting on the pads and playing some real football,
big boy football. Can't just be doing the two hand
touch shells rout. Eventually you gonna have to see who
are the who's the kram della cram, who's the cream
by the crop? Kalani? With only having a few practices
per week, do you and the staff have something particular
you're wanting to accomplish during springball?
Speaker 4: Yeah, I think we were utilizing the time the right way.
You know, they're not in game shape yet, but we
give them a little bit of rest and then we
can meet and install and build a lot of the
stuff in between the practice days and so you know
next week will be Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday. I think we're
we're the science and then trying to get their guys
their minds right and and but you know, utilize the
film time that we have and so uh, I think, uh,
you know.
Speaker 3: We we have a good plan. I like I like it.
Speaker 4: I'm just gonna listen to the guys that are smarter
than me and with how much you can push their
bodies and how much you can push their minds.
Speaker 2: Yeah, part of it is just uh you know, I
hate to say load management in college football, but it is.
You want to you want a crescendo. You wanna you know,
climax at the right time is uh you know, and
b have a bit of fortitude, neuromuscular strength and uh
acclamation period prior to going live. So I think they're
doing it the right way. You trust guys like Colby
Clawsan and Brett Mortensen and Skyler Maine and Ryan Phillis.
These strength and conditioning, medical medically trained individuals that are
are are are wanting retention and limiting attrition of players
your best abilities, You're availability. We hear that all the time. Uh,
And so you got to make sure you're judicious about
how you engaged in in high level full contact. When
you guys Kalani, when you guys got Jay Hill, I
believe he joined the staff during springball in that respect,
in that respect, Kelly Pepina has been here for a while,
does he have a bit of a head start as
a new DC, and is uh the defense picking up
where he left off?
Speaker 4: Yeah, I mean all the guys that have been here,
I mean all the returning players and then also the
guys that we have on staff, they're familiar with the defense.
I mean, there's there's a the transitions easy and looking
at what demo and like I said, lewis played in
the system, so he knows exactly what we're trying to get.
And I think it's gone really, really well considering that,
you know, we had to replace our defensive coordinator and
our corners coach, So I think we're in a really
good spot right now and the guys.
Speaker 3: Are performing at a high level.
Speaker 2: Yeah, speaking of that, I think one of the biggest
question marks is, once again it's always been the question
mark for me, when you replace all those coaches on
the back end, how do you replace them? And is
there still cohesion chemistry between the players and the new
coaching staff. And I think Trey Alexander went on to
ku Kanek shout out to the Kukonet crew over there,
and he stated that he's been really impressed by Lewis Walker,
the new Cornerbacks coach. So good fit, good chemistry, and
they've been able to align in uh, I think mindset culture.
And you know you want to be you want to
be coached up as a young man, but you want
to have credibility of coaching and tenure of coaching coming
at you when you are getting that constructive criticism. So
shout out to Trey Alexander and Lewis Walker for you know,
I mean we were really concerned. I mean how many
were you more like Ronnie? Were you more like concerned
about Jay Hill? The Jay Hill loss or the Gennaro
loss at BYU Gennaro.
Speaker 5: Yeah, right, we talked about it. I'll keep reador a
double minority been. I can say, look, you lead on me.
From my perspective, we have Brian Logan. Look, being a
brother in the state of Utah, you know as a
member the church, there are things that come, but you
have that connection, right, you know that when you're not
that Ben, there's a lot of other different things. And
you add like he was able, he's been able to
recruit a lot of great talent to play well and
come here. This you said had been the most difficult
position group to recruit at BYU. He was able to
bridge that gap. And when Jay left, I said, okay,
they could replace that. But when Jenna said, okay, that's
a ding, Eddie Hecker might be a ding.
Speaker 6: I look at.
Speaker 5: Those you know in the landscape of you know, the
recruiting world and you know, a culture at BYU, because
that's tough. It's that's a hard position being to go
get another person to fit the culture on what you
want to build and have that same vision. And he
was the longest tenured guy on kloney staff, like when
Kilaney reorganized g State, Right, So, yeah, that was a
bigger one I thought for sure. But so far it
seems like that you know it's going well, you know,
everybody is is pumped up Bible.
Speaker 6: We'll see how it translates in the field.
Speaker 2: Yeah, I'm trying to figure out the best way to
approach this is Like, before it all went down, which
defensive coach were you most concerned about losing this offseason?
I think there is an argument to be made for
General Guildford. I think there's a there's plenty of kugarnation
that that were more concerned or you know, higher anxiety
with Gennaro's departure than it was even Jays because you
felt like, hey, at least you have contentary of coaches
that are in the building. You have Gary Anderson, Kilani
k Pop. That's a lot of great coaching experience there,
with a tremendous amount of play going experience. You were
maybe more concerned about the possible attrician uh, the technique
to drop off, the the ability to recruit that position
with Genaro leaving and going to supposed greener pastures. Now, Kalani,
is there a position group that stood out to you?
Now two weeks into practice.
Speaker 4: Of the Titans out quite a bit to me with
Roger and Walker leading the way, and you know, you
have some guys there that have played to Kean and
and also those guys and then obviously Bear, I mean,
I think it's gonna come back.
Speaker 3: To so what he's doing. And you can tell that
that tracon Orgae.
Speaker 4: Is really comfortable with the offense, and then you can
see that Bear is really comfortable too.
Speaker 3: And then and it's good to see in Aget in
a lot of reps too.
Speaker 4: So I would say those two are the ones that
stand out and defensively the guys that are flying around.
But you know, my mind kind of goes to the
offense a little bit, even though I've spend majority of
my time with the defense.
Speaker 2: It's a great SoundBite from Kilani. Very rarely do you
hear Kilanie go into depth about players and personnel and
really highlight certain players. You have to really really earn
it with Kalan guys, you have to like, it has
to be like it's gotta be so like, in my opinion,
like there has to be. He's such a disparity between
you and your competition, and like everybody knows it, the team,
the coaches, the media like it sequences in that way.
And so the fact that he goes out of his
west is Walker and Roger. You know that that speaks
volumes about where this tight end room is at. And
then he talks about the quarterback room. He likes Bear,
he likes Trace and he likes Cneck. So uh, and
then he just says everyone's flying around on defense. So
thought that was interesting. Let's talk tight ends real quick,
Ronald three man weaver, what's behind Walker and Roger? Obviously
he's highlighting those two, but do you think he's also
alluding to the depth in that position.
Speaker 6: One hundred percent.
Speaker 5: And you know, Ben, just to give a comment on that,
like you said, uh, first being practice to try to
get Kilowani to say, okay, what guy's not participating nothing
like he's the Kilowney's not going to give it to you,
and if he does, it's rare, like you mentioned, so
shout out to that question and Ben, it goes back
to my point.
Speaker 6: Look, I think the argument is gonna be proved over
time if he.
Speaker 5: Stays healthy Walker Lions Baby, I think that guy's gonna
get a lot of targets.
Speaker 6: Is here anyway to your point of the depth.
Speaker 5: Now, we saw a guy have a you know the
first game been he came out, caught a touchdown pass
and I thought we see more of them, saw him
a few plays here and there. But I'm excited to
see a guy like knowing Mulyaki. I want to see
what he brings to the table. I know Key and
Need is a good run blocker that they have there.
I think Will Dundale's in that tight end room as well.
Been correct me if I'm wrong, But no, Mulyaki, he
impressed me, even I know it was Portland State, but
I liked his route running ability, so I want to
see what he brings. But yeah, I think they got
some dudes behind those guys Ben that can can step up.
And you know how it is when you have a
year under your belt, second spring ball and you know
the playbook man. Even with the guys coming in and I
have to learn it that have already played, that are experienced,
you're able to make a name for yourself. So I've
had to rank out the tight ends. Obviously Walker one,
Robert Jeli, Pagat two. I think Newi Mulyaki in terms
of pass catching could be that third guy.
Speaker 2: Yeah, look yeah, need I think deserves some love. Will
Zundel is a great athlete, linear athlete that see has
seen playing time on special teams. Jacob nine, to me,
is a bit of a dark horse as a red
shirt freshman out of Belussa, Texas. Ethan Wood also a junior.
So you look at your tenured guys. Maybe first Ethan Wood,
Heber City, you donovxco State. He's also a Snow College guy,
so he played ball at Snow College. The younger guys
Josh Davis, Matthew Frederick to be determined, but definitely. You
mentioned Noah Moyaki. He's been to the program. He was
the first tight end to catch a touchdown past last season.
He's a redster sophomore. I like what we have in
that tight end room, and I like the coach as well,
and Kevin Gilbright getting the most out of these guys.
So shout out to that tight end room and the
twelve personnel that we're going to be running a lot
of this season. Now, I will say this much, Roger
Saliapaga to me looks like he could play a role
that is akin to Neil Powell's role his junior and
senior year. I'll continue to pontificate that from my pulpit
here on Cougar Sports. Rogers Salpaa looks and feels like
a big, fast, quick wide receiver like un to Neil Powell.
So keep an eye on that as a flex tight end. UH,
even lining up maybe off the ball in the slot,
off the line of scrimmage. UH, in the slot. All right,
let's continue with Kialani Sazaki head coach b Yu down
at springball. UH. This segment, by the way, brought to
you by rubies In rubies In dot Com. Speaking of Trason,
Is he the definitive backup at quarterback?
Speaker 4: No, we're gonna keep We're gonna keep pushing it and
we don't have to name anything yet. So, uh, the
goal is that there's enough reps for all the quarterbacks
to get better.
Speaker 3: So those three, when you see them improve.
Speaker 2: All three of that Okay, So not gonna be overly
declarative on that. Uh knee jerk reaction time, Roddie Enick Watson, Goldie,
are you on board to say that he could be
could end up being QB two come kick off in
twenty twenty six?
Speaker 5: This is pure speculation obviously, man. But I'm I've been
around it enough, right, I've learned from you. I'm starting
to gauge in my knowledge. One, you know, and I
know there's no second transport windows, so they could declare
it and guys couldn't leave before that was why right,
some of your name me got Okay.
Speaker 6: Well I'm not gonna be QB two. I'm gone, So
I get the competition. But what do we say, Ben?
Speaker 5: In fall camp, they know, did they know who they wanted?
Who's going to be taking reps as QB two? But
in that same breath, you want to say even keeled.
As Brett said in the first hour, right, you don't
want to be too eye, too low. If you're leaving
it open, that means you like the guy that is
behind the guy who's number two, and you believe that
he can surpass him with the full you know, off
season going to the fall camp and competition really rams.
I'm not saying that spring ball doesn't been, but then
when you're out there every single day, you know, from
eleven to four, whatever it is, you could share some
more light of one. Fall camp will be when you
guys practice, it brings out the best in you. Not
saying that spring ball doesn't. It does, but you're not
going against ones on ones always. Some guys might be out,
you know two's on two. It's mixing and matching is
getting the team chemistry, getting guys to get good reps.
Speaker 6: That's why I think they leave it open.
Speaker 5: And you saw it right, You saw a guy and
bear what happened you saw look, and I'm happy to
be wrong. I thought it was GB three going back
a couple of years ago and Gary, you know, for
the first couple of weeks Ben it was his And
what did Jake said not so fast, brother, he was,
I'm here, check this out.
Speaker 6: And what did he do?
Speaker 5: He turned it on. So that's how it goes, Ben,
and I think you have to leave it open. So
I think En Watson's got a great shot. I think
it's gonna be like Emerson Gollman. Ben, I think they
like him. And I think maybe at the start of
the season, or maybe in fault, maybe start a fall camp.
It could be tracing rightfully, So he's been around. He's
the veteran, you know, probably the most poisoned locker room
behind Bear. And if Bear were to go down, then
it's in. But I think Inogwatson, Goldie, the golden boy.
I think he's got a great opportunity to steal QB
two and I would not be surprised if that happened
in fall camp or at some point during the season.
Speaker 2: Ben, let's take a brief time out. We'll come back
with more Kalani cuts. We asked him the question is
l J. Martin out for spring? Ball? Has shown Hima
the lead running back for spring? Also, how has Kadi
luluave been inserting himself in practice? All that and more,
and then talk punt return game. Who's going to replace
Parker Kingston as the primary punt returner. That coming up next.
That segment, though, Ladies and Gentlemen, is brought to you
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Speaker 1: You were listening to one oh three nine at ninety
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You are listening to Cougar Sports and it's time for
a Cougar byte that have been Crittle breaks down the
latest sound bites from Cougar Athletics.
Speaker 6: Wow here on.
Speaker 1: One oh three nine at ninety eight three ESPN the.
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eight point three ESPN. The fan of been critical broadcasting
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Nobody does it better than Blaine Anderson and his crew.
Time to get in some Kilani cuts, some Cougar bytes,
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his wardrobe here shortly. All right, let's get back to
Kolani h Kilani cuts if you will, l J. Martin
Klana Is he officially out for spring ball? Is Chioni
taking the lead as RB one during spring?
Speaker 3: Yeah? I think the long running backs looked really good too.
Speaker 4: I mean, you know, looking at what has been able
to do, I think he's returning to his old farm.
Speaker 3: And then devonick It goes doing a great job.
Speaker 4: At running back, and you know, we got Preston Rex there,
and then Logan Payne's done some good things too, So
Jovesa the moony those guys are, I mean, Jovesa had
a great Bowl game, and then you're looking at what
all those guys have been able to do, and I
mean in the last couple of months. It's it's kind
of I think Lj's done a great job of leading them.
He's he's basically another coach for them, so it's been
really good.
Speaker 2: Yeah. So he kind of gives the tip of the
cap to to Sioni mah, and he alludes to the
fact that Lj's is a coach. Why would we need LJ.
We don't want LJ to be out there, dude, We
Ronnie like, don't we want to set him beside, put
him on the shelf and just keep him healthy and strong,
keep him explosive, elastic, pliable. He can coach, he can
get the mental reps, he can do walkthroughs uh, he
can do some maybe possibly some low impact work in
team segments. But we don't want him getting touched in
spring ball. Are we in a court?
Speaker 6: We're in a court.
Speaker 5: Don't need him doing shoulder to shoulder right Ben where
they rap, like, you know, I don't need to rap.
Don't touch him No, Ben, I'm with you one hundred percent.
Uh yeah, you want to see that, Ben, And we've
seen that from a number of BAU players coaching out there,
you know, doing that when they've been recovering from maybe
you're nursing an injury.
Speaker 6: We don't need to see LG. He's proven it.
Speaker 5: Look, he's the he's the reigning Big twelve Offensive Player
of the year.
Speaker 6: Why does he need to be out there for what?
Speaker 3: I mean?
Speaker 5: You just look the I always applied to the commandments.
I'm not trying to be sacrilegious. If you want to
see LG out there, if you want Ben or myself
or any of the media member, you might be a
little bits of breaking the tents with enough coveting, and
you might be a little bit greedy.
Speaker 3: No.
Speaker 5: Number four needs to be resting up so he can
be for glory when it times to for fall camp.
No Ben, let these because guess what, you know what
happened last year, Ben, they had nobody. Give these guys
a chance to be confident. Let him get playing time,
Let's see how they get back. If he truly is
the guy, and it sounds like he's and I interviewed
him right he's taking the reps. You know, you got
pressing recks in that mixes well. And then Devon Ekothozi
your four and the logan.
Speaker 6: Pain behind that. So let those guys work it out.
And you know Javesa de Mooney as well.
Speaker 5: So let those guys all get reps ben and be
confident because if LJ you were to get dinged up,
you know, he's had his fair share of injury. If
anybody behind the LJ got dinged up, let him be
next man up and be ready to go.
Speaker 2: So I'm with it. Boomshota loca. Let's move on to
the next one. How is Kadu Lave coming around? Is
he inserting asserting himself well? In practice?
Speaker 3: Yeah, Katie will Have is a great player. He is.
He's dynamic.
Speaker 4: We just have to be careful with him because he's
he doesn't know how to slow down, you know, he's
it's impossible to go a walk through with him. He
only knows one speed and right now we're still trying
to get him to heal up his hand.
Speaker 2: He just he's in the.
Speaker 3: Club and so I kind of have to save him
from himself.
Speaker 4: So I don't mind telling someone to slow down but sometimes,
I mean, he's just so intense and it's good for
our defense. I mean, he's he's a big playmaker. I'm
I'm just really happy that he's on our defense.
Speaker 3: Great leader too.
Speaker 2: He's only got one speed, baby, Cadu Lave, so you
could hear it in his voice. He just wants to
keep kid healthy. And I have it on good good
you know from some good sources here that when cad
I was told like like, if Caid's on the football field,
then he's healthy. On the defenside of the ball. He's
the best player on the defense and maybe the best
player on the field period because he goes all the
dang time. So got to keep him healthy too. He's
wearing a club right now, so already getting a little
bit dinged up in springball Hope League, and stay healthy.
They just got to keep him available come fall camp
because of that one speed mentality given. And that's what
you want because as a leader, you look to that.
And you whispered in my ear when we heard that,
is he the richie of this team? Yeah, maybe he's
got one speed baby, and he allows everybody else to
gravitate towards him, and uh, he's set in the tone.
So Caid doing great work as a middle linebacker for them, Coops,
big question, yeah for.
Speaker 5: You, and I know we don't care. We had Chase
you know last year. Doesn't care about preseason you know,
watch lists and things like that. Right, It's about what
you finish. But you have to think that maybe Ig
and Caid both might be on that big to a
preseason defensive teamless like you would wonder with how great
Ig played. I know he was a little big, gimpy,
you know, the g man would say. But with his
playmaking ability, Nucy's pass rushing Cad, I mean, Ben, I
don't know what else you want like that. That look
BYU is not going to be the best, but if
healthy like last year, they're gonna have, you know, one
of the best linebacker groups in the country. It's not
gonna be the best, can't say that, but it's gonna
be up there. I think top fifteen, no doubt.
Speaker 2: Boom love it. Let's get back to it. Kalani Stake.
Has anyone stepped up yet as the primary punt returner?
Speaker 4: Oh yeah, I mean I think there's a lot of
guys that can fill in. I mean Kennon Devreez is
really good. Tiger Balkmeyer has a lot of experience.
Speaker 3: Doing that, and I think, uh, you know Legend.
Speaker 4: Legend can be a kick returner too, and same with
with Eka, so with Devaughan. So I mean there's a
lot of capable bodies. And Cody Hagen is also a returner,
so there's a lot of I'm probably leaving a bunch
of guys out there, but FESSI could do a good
good job getting them ready.
Speaker 2: All right, So who's your favorite to become the primary
punt returner without Parker Kingston in the lineup? Ronald the
three man Weaver.
Speaker 6: Yeah, they're gonna go with experience. If Cody's healthy. Ben,
I think he's the guy, no doubt about it at all.
But we saw this last year with k Pop.
Speaker 5: He when he was this teams coordinator, he was pulling
guys like if you make a mistake, he he was
not afraid. I think Justin and It's gonna be just
as cutthroat, if not more, Ben, I'll be honest, So
I think maybe we have to talk to Justin about that.
Speaker 6: But I think Cody's in that mix.
Speaker 5: And then I think, I really, if I'm to be honest, Ben,
I think nothing against Cannon, but I just think Legend
speed been and for the fact that he did in
high school, you know, on you know, kickoff and punt.
I just think, to me, it comes down to two guys.
And I'm gonna be very declarative about this. I think
Cannon could be in the mix on there, but I
really think it's gonna come down to Cody a legend.
That's what I truly believe for punt and for kickoff return.
If I'm gonna be honest, Ben, I think those guys
have a chance to flash because look, you see Cody
and Legend speed. There's nothing like a Cannon is fast too,
but those guys are faster and when they make you
miss and when they get going, it's just it's really
a rod and and Justin and the staff and they
like to utilize speed a lot.
Speaker 6: And Legends got the size. They like Cody. So that's
what I'm going with between those two to windows jobs.
Speaker 2: Yeah, right now, he's a punt returner. I am actually
leaning Cannon. I I love Cannon, I really do, like
I know he was he was punt returner three. I
I liked what I saw for him. Now Tiger is
a bigger body, but I didn't like his decision making
as much about fielding and uh and and letting go
of of certain punts.
Speaker 4: Uh.
Speaker 2: You gotta be judicious, you gotta be careful about where
you're receiving it. So I lost a little bit of
faith there and tell you not to say he can't
earn it back. But right now, I'm a lean. I'm
a lean towards Cannon degrees as my punt returner. As
far as kick return though, I think I like the
idea of putting Devon Ekka back there. If SIONI mo
is truly your RB two, right, Like if it's l
J and Sione, you gotta get Devon on the field asap.
You gotta figure out ways to get him on the field,
and I think I think kick return is one of
those ways. I would love to see him be maybe
a primary kick returner and then as a as the
up back. Another guy that's pretty explosive is because you
have two kick returners, right, you have your home run
hitter and then you have maybe your your your guy,
your up back that can block and return with a
little bit of danger, with a little bit of huh.
Of ability, and I think Logan Pain would be an
interesting guy. He didn't mention him, but I like him. Uh,
glasger legend as as the kick returner as well, if
it'd be great. You know, Cody's going to be in
the mix there as well as a home run threat.
You need home run threads. And I know k Pop
Uh definitely love speed. I love the good combination of
speed plus uh arm breaking, you know, arm arm breaking.
Uh you know uh type of runner. Uh, those those
arm tackle breakers. That's what I would love to see
from a punt returner or sorry, from a kick returner
as well. So those are my favorites right now. And
Kalani mentioned a lot of those guys. Which guys have
been stepping up in general as leaders of this team. Kalani, Yeah,
I think LJ.
Speaker 3: Martin's done it.
Speaker 4: And then uh, you know Raider de Mooney on defense,
Folatile so too, Wala has done a great job being
a leader, Isaiah Glasker, Keanutanovasa, Evan Johnson, and so there's
a bunch of guys that are stepping.
Speaker 3: Up and doing it.
Speaker 4: I mean, I feel really excited. I'm really excited about
the leadership on this team. It's a reason why there's
a great connection with all of them, the reason why
they all wanted to come and do this again. So
I'm looking forward to the senior leadership that we have,
but also the type of team, the culture that everyone's
bought into, whatever the guys need them to do.
Speaker 3: So it's just been it's been fun so far in
the amount of practice that we've had.
Speaker 2: All Right, so leadership, obviously we know that's key. Where
is the leadership coming from? Ronald? You got a question
for me?
Speaker 5: I do I want to bing you what to get
your knowledge right, because I know that you're connected and
you could think through these things on the spot.
Speaker 6: Way too early.
Speaker 5: Captains, who are the guys that can again to give
the fans, you know, the pitch for it and build
it for you back it up. The players vote on
the captains who they are. Correct me if I'm wrong, Ben,
Do I think the coaching staff might pick the leadership group.
I could be wrong about that too, but just that
you're way too early captains. I guess coming out of
spring ball because I've heard Rader mentioned by the coaching staff.
Speaker 6: I've heard Evan, You've heard Bear Keanu. You know who
do you think so far?
Speaker 2: Yeah, I think all those guys that you mentioned, I
mean offensively. You look at Bear as a guy. You
wonder if Tiger takes on a bigger role too as
a leader as a senior, you know, because you need
some offensive leaders. I feel like the offensive unit with
so many new faces, right, and so many new players
that are being integrated offensive line tight ends, a wide
receiver and Kyler Casper. You know, there's there's not as
much tenure outside of like Bruce Mitchell and some of
these offensive linemens. So you know, you got Bear and
Bruce offensively. He got lj offensively, and maybe that's enough, right,
Maybe that's enough? Is it Jojo as a red shirt junior,
does he have the makeup of a leader? Is he
gonna be vocal, to be determined? Right? Like, I don't
know if he's that wide receiver leader. I don't know
if it would be Tiger that is setting the tone
there or if it maybe is one of your your transfers.
Remember Roger sali Apaga is a junior and he's already
been highlighted multiple times. Walker Lyons is a junior. These
guys are supposed to not only be playmakers, but I
think they also need to be leaders and they may
grow into that come fall camp. I think defensively you
mentioned a few of the names. Obviously, it's Keano Tonavasa,
he's been highlighted as a leader. Another guy offensively Andrew Gentry.
He's a senior too, so I look forward to him
taking on banded role in leadership on the offensive side
of the ball. Love Keto Donavaso. Another guy that I
would love to see step up and set the tone
is body Schoonover. Evan Johnson is super vocal. I love Evan.
He's He's a great I think inspirer uh and uh.
He he brings a little bit of flavor to the
to the group as well, So I would love to
see that. Katie Luave may end up being that guy.
Sialia Sarah also a tenured guy, Isaiah Glasker.
Speaker 1: Uh.
Speaker 2: Look, I think this is one of those years where
you're gonna have a ton of co captains. Quite honestly,
because you're so leyden with junior and senior leadership. You're
laden with it right now, and I think that's why
uh Kilani was probably a would you say would you?
Would you say that? Kilani was a bit hesitant to
be overly declared of about Unworldblus set of names, and
that's what it because he is because yeah, yeah, because
this is a co captain. This is a co captain year.
We've seen that before where it's like you got like
twenty everybody, everybody, everyone is a captain, everyone's a captain.
So I could see that happening as well. A couple
of last things from Kilani in the camp Kalanie cuts
here uh, brought to you by Primo Golf Apparel Primo
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coupon code to get fifteen percent off your order at
Primo Golf Apparel Primo Golf Apparel dot com. How are
you guys able to get Danny Swartzon on staff with
all of his NFL experience? Uh?
Speaker 4: I think Kapop was the main reason. And it was
always been good great to see Danny coming, you know
and train with our guys in the offseason and so
uh and and it was good to talk to him
about ball and so that Danny's got so much ability
and he's been in he's done it in the highlights.
Speaker 3: Level he's won super Bowls, you know, so to have
that type.
Speaker 4: Of experience and having him coach his position with with tomorrow,
I think it's gonna it's it's it's working really well.
I'm all the Stageties are making big time plays and
that that's Folly and Raider have made a lot of
plays so far, and we want to practice four.
Speaker 2: Times Falle Raider also uh getting getting some love there
from Kalani Satakiwala and Dandy Sorenson a big piece of that,
it sounds like, and congratulations a K pop for uh,
you know his acquisition of Danny. It's it's always nice
to be able to lean on and NFL experienced defensive back,
uh and help you with your eye control where your
your your sequencing begins, you know? Okay, so personnel down
in distance is the ball on the hash? How many
eligibles do I have to my side right now? I'm
gonna get my run past read? What's my footwork?
Speaker 1: Like?
Speaker 2: Where am I stemming? Do I need to get out quicker?
Do I anyed to open up my hips quicker? All
those things sequel and uh, so it's nice to be
able to lean on Danny in that regard a couple
of a couple of other things here for Kilani, was
that a big focus. Was it a big poster to
build up the second to make sure there wasn't any
drop off when Jay left?
Speaker 4: Yeah, and I think to compliment what what Kate Pauk
can do too? So uh and then you know, Yeah,
the other thing is Danny has a lot of experience
at that nickel position too, so he knows how to
use safety's there and these nickels, and he's he's a
dynamic player and and and he's he's actually a great coach,
and so it's great to have him mentor our our
our our dvs. And he's working really well with with
Wesley Johnson and with with you know, with Lewis and
with the Mario.
Speaker 3: So I think I think they're they're a dynamic group.
And uh, I'm looking forward to seeing I mean, the
DBS have done some great things.
Speaker 2: So far in spring they go that's Kilani. Uh, And look,
I think it's a valid question. It's a it's a
question that we broached on our show over the two weeks. Look,
these these strategic acquisitions tell us that by us serious
about recruiting, developing and retaining high level talent in the
defensive back room. We're in a new era, new age,
a P four age, a resource rich age, and we
want to bring in the best. We want to coach
up the best. We want to retain the best. Right
last thing, how interested? How much interest has there been
after Jack Kelly and Chase Roberts, specifically after their combines
have been at NFL agents or sorry, NFL scouts, NFL
GM has been knocking on boy's door.
Speaker 4: Yeah, definitely, And there's been a lot of interest on
the guys that weren't invited to. I mean, Will Ferrinol's
at the combine too, and did a great job kicking
so and so was Garrison, you know.
Speaker 3: So those guys did a great job on the specialist side.
Speaker 4: I don't think anybody gave them a lot of publicity,
but they were proud of them too, you know. And
but there's a lot of guys that that are gonna
perform on the pro day. I think I'm looking forward
to seeing what they do.
Speaker 3: I thought, I thought Jack and Chase did a great job.
Speaker 4: And then there's a I've talked to a lot of
NFL personnel since the combine, so It's is nice that
they're able to do it and and do drills and
work work at all the drills with guys that are,
you know, possible draft picks.
Speaker 2: Coach. We had Will on you know you missed our
interview Kalan We we shouted out Will was a great interview.
If you missed it, get it on the podcast Cougar Sports.
We've been krittle on any one of your podcasting platforms. Uh,
it was a great interview with Will and uh yeah.
But that look, we're gonna get more eyeballs on Brigham
young university athletes. We're gonna have we are undrafted free agent.
You we have plenty of undrafted free agent prospects that
are gonna get signed. It's what we we've honestly done best.
Because there has been an issue. I think for the NFL,
they're trying to get over it. Maybe they can get
over it in the in the UH in the new
era of the National Football League, but they discriminate against
return missionaries period. If you're older, they look at that
as your biological mail clock and you're maybe you're you're
more injury ridden, you got more wear and tear on
your body, Maybe you have a decrease in TESTA. I
don't know what they're their justification is. I think it's
a little bit archaic. It's it's ridiculous. But guys coming
out of BYU, guys like Danny Sorenson, guys like Harvey Longee. Right,
they they they get into these great deals, undrafted free
agent deals, and then they last a very long time. Uh,
because they're great, high quality football players. But there's a
little bit of a discrimination against them as they're a
little bit older and they've been missionaries for the Church
of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints. Anyway, hopefully, b
what you get the number of draft picks and a player.
Speaker 1: You aren't alone you listening to Cougar Sports on ko
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were listening to a Cougar Sports with Ben Krittle and
it's time for a Cougar insider report. Now let's get
that for a prietary inside scoop on Cougar Sports from Crittle.
Speaker 2: Welcome back Cougar Sports one of three, nine ninety eight
point three ESPN. The fan. I've been crital broadcasting from
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time for a little uh Cougars in the pros, a
little insider report in Cougar's in the Pros, little combination
of the two. It's gonna be brought to you by
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Head on in there and request the Ben Criddal discount
and get your VIA running safely and soundly across those
Wassatch front roads. All right, some great news Cardinals are
officially signing running back Tyler Aw's year to a two year,
twelve point two five million dollars, deal ladies and gentlemen.
They've agreed to terms with the former Falcons running back
after four seasons in Atlanta. I think Tylarzi has proven
to be reliable and productive and he heads to the desert,
my home state, and I can't wait to see what
he can do for the Arizona Cardinals. Now is is
he an RB one down in Arizona? He has total
twenty eight and seventy six rushing yards and twenty total
touching touchdowns as a Atlanta Falcon football player. Now he
may get that opportunity to be the lead back in Arizona. Ronald,
your thoughts, your commentary you make of is.
Speaker 5: Yeah, this is a great spot I think for Tyler.
I know Vic wanted to see him with the Broncos.
I thought the Saints were another opportunity. You think of
running backs on their way out on the last contract,
you really have to look in the nitty gritty. I
know James Connor got hurt, but this is a great
place for him. Been indoors. You get to play all
of your games indoors. So Tyler going from the Falcons
from one dome to the next, it's a it's a
rebuild Ben. They've got they got new organization, new coaching staff.
So this is a great opportunity, I think for Tyler
because I think the competition will be fresh, you know
from what we know Ben. When you change the coaching staff,
you change the personnel, it's a competition's wide open. I
think it's anybody's right now. But Tyler's kind of been
in that mixed fighting for RB one, but RB two.
I think he will get a lot of playing time,
a lot of touches. And I just want to say,
this Ben to be able to get this type of
contract for a guy, and I'm not talking about Puka
because Puoko is always always talented. Someone's gonna ping me
on that, but Puka was a fifth no. To be
a fifth round pick like this Ben to be buried
on the depth chart when I mean buried, like he
was trying to find his footing working at Walmart the
night shift. I remember seeing him been sometimes going early
of like oh my goodness, man, like don't you have
practice like doing that? To be able to have one
of the greatest running back seasons in two years with
Byu to get to the league, this guy's really made
his way a big fan of He has loved to
see him back when he comes, always enjoyed chopping up
with him. Yeah, he's gonna be in the mix bin
whether he's RB one, RB two, beIN. Look the last
years leading rusher, I think you know Perk cam Clark,
I mean in our group chat was talking about that
three hundred and thirty three yards last year. I'm pretty
sure Tty Psycho T can do more than that. So great,
great pick.
Speaker 2: Look James Conners, you know the lead backyard, but remember
he went out with injury after three games last season,
so I mean you never know. I mean, James Connor
been in the league now, I want to say for
eight nine years. He's a tenured veteran running back. He's
he's thirty years old. Tyler Algier a little bit younger,
a little bit stronger. They also have, I believe, I
want to say, Michael Carter, the former Jets running back
as a little scat back, change a pace back on
and on their on their on contract. Trey Benson as well.
I think he had some injury issues too last season.
So uh, they they're going after a durable running back
that doesn't fumble the football and doesn't get injured knock
On Wood. That's what they're going after because they have
had injury issues with their running backs, their lead backs,
so that could propel our man Tyler Rowsier to RB
one status due to the injury rate of the other
running backs. Trey Benson I think, only played in like
four four games last year twenty nine carries on hundred
and sixty yards before having an injury, So that is
up note. Okay, Tyler Asier going to UH the Arizona
Cardinals and very well could end up being UH the
RB one, But James Connery is also on the roster
and looks to be the lead back, so we'll see
a little running back by committee approach. UH. We also
have little Kiris Tonga news. Shout out to Kiris Tonga.
The former Patriots defensive lineman Kyle Stunka is signing with
the Chiefs on a three year, twenty one million dollar
deal that includes fourteen million dollars guaranteed. So shout out
to Kiris earning that money, and I can't wait to
see what he can do in a Kansas City Chiefs uniform. Ronald,
and you know you're pretty excited about this. Boom shot
A lot of the Kansas City Chiefs. They went into
free agency with needs at nose tackle and running back,
and they got those filled right away in a very
big way. Kansas City also has two first round picks
this this draft season. So your reaction is, Ronald.
Speaker 6: Uh, yeah, I won't bore the people with the running
back pick.
Speaker 5: But Andy Reid finally been I'll just say this, he
finally got a running back that he's going to be
forced to run the football because his quarterback is coming off.
Speaker 6: An ACL injury.
Speaker 5: Even Andy might be a little prideful, and they brought
back their old offensive coordinator, Eric b Enemy. So with
that being said, with Kiris on the defensive side of
the ball, Ben Andy Reid, look, I don't want, you know,
want it's tough for our quarterback coming off injury. I
don't expect the Chiefs to be in the super Bowl.
If they got there, wouldn't be surprised because Andy Reid.
But like you said, Andy's on the downhill and he
knows it. He knows that retirements on the table more
than maybe getting to super Bowls, and each year gets harder.
So he's trying to load up. And Kyris, I think
is the perfect fit. Ben, they couldn't really get after
the quarterback stopping. You saw Kyris bull those people on
borsh people with the Patriots. He deserves to be paid,
happy for it, and Andy Reed likes his. BYU guys,
I'm not surprised by this at all, been I think
Kansas City is a great place for Kiris. Porter Elliott
also is over there. You know a guy that has
connections to be all you. Matt Bushman has played Daniel
Swarrenson Dirty Dan. So Kansas City is a great stop
for former Cougar's and I think actually kings leads to
a Matia starting left guard for the Chiefs drafted in
the second round, Ben, So this is Andy Reid likes
his BYU guys and by you guys like Andy Reid,
so matchmde in Heaven.
Speaker 6: I think Kyris will do well. He'll be what they're
with Chris Jones.
Speaker 5: So Andy has another opportunity to been to submit himself
as to go and I told people I think and
he only needs one more super Bowl to do it.
He had the Dynasty team, so we'll see. But shout
out to Kiris. He'll get a lot of playing time
in Kansas City this year.
Speaker 2: Let's go. That's your inside of report, brought to you
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If you're looking for that honest, hard working, cost transparent
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I love going in to also chat with Ryan Elders
Big O Tires, Big O Tires in American Fork. Let
him know, I sencha. Let's take a brief time out.
We still have plenty to get to On a Monday,
March ninth edition of Cougar Sports, Don't go Anywhere, Little
Kyler Casper commentary maybe in this segments to come in,
and we'll also welcome in Kent Lee Platty on the
Flip Society's the creator of the relative athletics score. How
impressive with Jack Kelly's performance at the combine