Speaker 1: Ninety five.
Speaker 2: This is Cougar Sports on Kovo probo k u d
d HD two one oh three nine and ninety eight
three ESPN the Fan. This is Cougar Sports with Ben Gretel,
and it's time for the Cougar Beat. Getting the dish
from the local reporters that cover Cougar athletics.
Speaker 1: Welcome at Cougar Sports one of three nine ninety eight
point three ESBN the Fan. I'm then cridal broadcasting from
our band Rwealth Studios, Vanderwealth dot Com. Get on that
free Q and a no obligation to a vest Q
and a with our tax more Wealth Advisors certify financial planners.
Nobody does it better than Blaine Anderson and his crew.
He's an NFLPA certified financial planner. He's been aiding supporting
the student athletes of Brigham for a long time now.
Now he wants stay and support you with your financial vision.
Get a financial vision set and creates stable and sustainable
outcomes with your finances. With vand Wealth, we got a
great segment for you. We're gonna welcome into Cougar Sports
Insider in this Cougar Beat, and you're not gonna want
to miss it delving into Camp Koalani twenty twenty six,
as well as by Basketball as they prep for the
uh the Texas Tech Red Raiders coming into the Mary Center.
Hopefully BYU Basketball can find its way finance identity. J.
Debonsa seems confident that he can that he can maybe
uh booy up this BYU basketball team. But are you
believers Cougar Nation. This segment's going to be brought to
you by Central Garage Utah. Central Garage Utah dot com.
If you have an issue with your garage door, all
I'm asking you to do is give Kelly a call.
He's a big BYU fan. He'd love to support you
get your garage door fixed or provide a new garage
store for you. He's not gonna goalug, He's gonna give
you the best deal. VP products, VP service, VP discounts.
Give a call, set up apotment, shoot him a text.
He's always willing to text as well. Eight O one
six oh four to nine nine. That's eight one six
oh four two nine nine. Central Garage Utah dot com.
Let's get out to the hotline. Welcome in. Cougar Sports
Insider representing KSEL dot com. We got d Sean Walker.
Speaker 3: What's up, Sean Walker, Ben, It's always a pleasure to
be alive on a Friday night in Salt Lake City,
counting a little bit of my own seampunk I.
Speaker 4: Know' that means absolutely loving to you. But that was
a nod for Brent Farron for the rest of the
crew over it at ESPN the fan because.
Speaker 1: If you know, you know, yes, indeed, it's a beautiful
the Hey, we got moisture, man, I'm grateful. It is colder,
but we got a ton of moisture, which is great
for our high deserts. I'm feeling grateful right now. Despite
the BYU basketball team not meaning expectations this year. Sean
Lunardi Joe Leonardi now projecting BYU as a seven seed.
Have we fallen so far? We were talking three seed,
we were talking two seed, we were talking maybe even
a one seed not too long ago, maybe six weeks ago.
Now seven seed and may be worse if BYU loses
the Texas Tech and loses in the Big twelve tournament.
Where do you stand with this hoops team?
Speaker 4: Yeah, it's kind of like the current state of the
Utah winter when it rains, its tour is when it does,
and it's nice and sunny, and we think we're getting
a lay with a early screen, and then all of
a sudden, see a little bit of that moisture. You
see a little bit of that trickle, some of those
snowflaer snowflayers maybe, and all of a sudden, you've got
a downpour on your hands. I mean you, a basketball
is going through a downpour at the moment. It's a spiral,
it's a tail spin. It's uh, you know, they've they've
lost uh four of their last five, and it it
doesn't feel very good I think for Kugar Nation right now, Like, yes,
A J. DeVonta is awesome. Rob Ryder's had his moments,
but uh and I think it like because it's evens
starting to come alive a little bit during this streak,
which is certainly a little bit of a silver lining
to see from a freshman. But uh, this this is
a team that is you want to talk about meeting
expectations or playing in the best best basketball at the
right time, I'm not sure if this team is playing
against that basketball as the calendar turns into March, not
just results wise, but just because of the way they're playing.
The defense is playing like the one hundred and ninety
something best team in the country during this run. Granted,
bar tournament dot Com. The offense just slits a little bit. Now,
it's still better, it's still tough fifty offense, but it's
slipped a little bit, and that's kind of natural with
the absence of Virtie Honders. This is a team that, Yeah,
like if you if you had told me two months
ago that this would be anything less than a six
seed in the NCAA Tournament, I would have said, you're crazy.
But as of right now, I think the seven is
probably the ceiling, and I think, justine likely this team
could find itself in an eight nine game come that
opening week in of BINGCAA tournament.
Speaker 1: Sean is, uh, do you feel like what can give
BYU fans hope? Is there what's kind of a silver
lining in all this that is maybe helping this Cougar
fan base have hoped that BYU basketball can get into
the NCAA Tournament and actually win at least one game
and not be a one in with so much hype
entering the season.
Speaker 4: I mean, you mean hope other than the fact that
the end of the season is only a couple of
weeks away.
Speaker 1: Hey, I'm just saying, what's the what's what's sitting? Maybe
they want maybe they want to be put out of
their misery and just move on to springball. Maybe that's
for that. I don't think they do, though.
Speaker 4: There's an old yellow reference in there somewhere, but I'm
not going to go there because that's probably a little
bit too much even for this program been. But no,
I mean, I think there are a couple of silver
linings on this, Like Dja Debonte is still as advertised,
and I've seen a lot of patterns as day day
online because of the state of the program. But he
has still been at least arguably the best player on
the Big twelve, one of the best players in the
country so far so far, one of the best of
the best freshman class in years, decades, twenty plus years.
I think at least he's he has still been as advertised.
There is still a lot, you know, I think this
fan base needs to really favor and share is what
ad the Boxer brings to this team, because come June,
he's going to be the first or the second big
in the NBA draft. And a a wise woman once
said that you're gonna miss me when I'm gone, and
I think that's kind of the state of a J
right now. But I think there are a couple of
other guys that has stepped up during the shoot. I
think an Alexi Costage. Alexi Costache is a freshman. He's
had his moments, I think, during the year, but those
moments were very human far between. During this run of
four losses in the last five games, I think it's
been He's now back to back to back to three
string games with double digit points. He's shooting the three
ball really well. He's the hype of kitchen shooter that
plays really well with a guy like a J. And
if you're going to get superstars to pro both five
star talent to provo, I think you want guys like
him to surround him, Guys who don't necessarily the amount
of ball a tone, but are really good just off
of that catch spot of three point shooters that sort
of a thing, and I think like those into the
guy that is there are guys that are looking to
earn themselves minutes and a spot on next year's loster
at YU and I think that lift probably starts with
a Leski in a lot of ways, just in terms
of what they can bring not only for this year's team,
but for next year's teams. And again, I hate them
moving on too much to acture because this is still
a team that is going to the NAA Tournament. Despite
all of its folks, guys, BYU is not a program.
They're not a team that is flirting with danger of
missing the NC DOUBLEA tournaments. You know, they still got
six plad one wins. They still got a couple of
wins over top twenty five teams that went over Clemson
right now, and the non conference is aging extremely well
right now for b YU. I mean there is a
there are a lot of positive positives on this team's resume.
There's no reason to believe that they shouldn't be involved
in the NCUBLEA tournament. And once that ball of tips,
if anybody's good, we all know how to manage the
march worth So like, yes, there are some issues, Yes,
there are some things in me deb fakes, especially defensively,
but I think there a lot of them. Are some
first world problems, and maybe some of those first world
problems can get fakes come March, or at the very
least you think or something out for next season and
you kind of live and learn and progress for another day.
Speaker 1: By us issues. Let me give you a stab coaches
or players, main storylines that you've been keeping an eye on,
that you've been intrigued by.
Speaker 4: Yeah, I'm loving the development of bear Bagmyer. I know
it's a little bit looking through to go to the quarterback,
but this is a kid that we just bring to
talk to him the other day and just a little
bit we've been able to watch him, very very very
little bit. We've been able to watch him from where
he's been around the around the weight room in the
off season, we see at some basketball games. We've talked
to him now a couple of times in interviews. I
am amazed that this kid is only a sophomore. The
sky really is the ceiling. I think for bark Bachmeier,
I think he's developing exceptionally well. He was one of
it's not the best freshman quarterbacks in all of college
football last year. I think PFF might have had him
number one among freshman quarterbacks, number one or number two
last year among freshman quarterbacks. I think he needs to
take another step forward in order for BYU to truly
go where do they want to go? And there's really
only one place that they can go, coming in second
in the Big twelve a year ago. But I think
he's absolutely capable of taking that next step up. Like
he just he looks more polished, He looks like he's
connecting very well with his receivers a little bit in springball.
He looks like he's ready to take that next step.
It seems like Aaron Rodgers is willing to kind of
give him the next step in his quarterback development. I
really like what I'm seeing out of bear bog Buyer
early on. It's it's super early in springball. Springball, you know,
is worth the paper you write on it again at
the time. But I really love in the development that
I'm seeing out a bear bock Buyer on that in
that practice facility right now?
Speaker 1: Do you have favorites to step up in that wide
receiver room right now? Have you have you looked at
your projected wide receiver depth chart and rotation yet? I
know it's early, but who are your early odds on
favorites to become bear Bachmeyer, favorites to uh to slean
the pill to.
Speaker 4: Yeah, everybody we've talked to in the program has talked
about Jojo Phillips kind of the next step in his
development and his evolution is to maybe it sounds like
they maybe want him in a a maybe even a
wide receiver one type role with the Parker sinkin departure
now as well. So I'm keeping an eye on Jojo Phillips.
I think Codey Hagen has truly the top end burner
speed to fill that role.
Speaker 5: Uh.
Speaker 4: But I really like what I'm what I'm saying out
of some of the new uh and I won't I
won't say wide receivers necessarily, but some of the new
past catchers in general. We saw what Cars and Ryan
could do at the tight end spot. It sort of
hasta make make tight ends great again. At b YU,
I think Carson absolutely did that, and I think Walker
Lions could be the next step in that for the
Cougars as well. Rogers Celiapanga has also shown some really
nice things in his brief time coming back home to
play for b YU uh and then uh Uh. Kyler
Casper the organ cancer I think has shown very well
in limited time limited reps. He's still figuring figuring things out,
getting in all the culture of the playbook and that
kind of thing. But I think he's shown some really
nice things early on. Uh that you you are kind
of starting to see why b yu win and got
these guys. They didn't get a ton of transfers out
of the latest NCAA transfer portal. They were definitely folded
a little bit more on retention, but they you know,
they saw some needs. They went and were very targeted
with some of their needs. And I think you saw
why they targeted some of these guys to come in
and play right away and potentially not even play some
big minutes right away.
Speaker 1: Final thing I got for you, Sean before I let
you go, appreciate you hopping on for a little Cougar
beat broant to you by Central Garage Utah, Central Garageutah
dot com. How about them Lady Kougs and League Kamard
year one guy. You look the men's team, you know,
maybe not meeting the expectation, not meeting quota, but I
feel like right now by women's is maybe meeting the quota.
They could possibly maybe hopefully fingers crossed, maybe they can
get into the NCAA tournament with a run in the
Big twelve tournament. Maybe they got to They gotta win
out right now. The ball that they're playing. Man, there
are many analysts out there that are covering the Big
twelve tournament saying BYU basketball is an NBA tournament team
the way they're playing right now. Give us your feedback
on that. Are they in your opinion? And how far
do you think they get into Big twel tournament. They
got a big game coming up next with TCU, maybe
the best team in the Big twelve.
Speaker 4: Yeah, they're playing the Bress basketball of the year right now,
which is pretty amazing because dating back to probably the
worst loss of the season at home to Cincinnati, they're
on a five game winning streak since then that It
was two wins over Utah, another win over another bubble
team in Colorado. They're one of sixteen teams right now
on the NCAA Women's Tournament bubble. According to ESPN dot
com Charlie cream He Charlie listed them in the first
or in the next four out. Excuse me, so just
outside of the first four out when it comes to
the ESPN bracketology of the group that was rated ahead
of them, BYU had played they had y had played
them eight times and we're seven and one against that group.
They were seven and two against teams the other sixteen
teams that were on the bubble that they've played against,
so they're they're really good against double bubble teams. They're
they're still technically winless in Quad one, which I think
is their biggest knock against them. A top twenty five
win on whatever Texas Tech has an aged super well
or super favorably and even less favorably after a Texas
Tech lost to a fighting test heels in Champias State
in the Big twelve tournament, so that that's probably their
biggest knock against them. But you talk about a team
that's playing as best basketball come March, that team checks
the boxes. You talk about a team that has legitimate
star power, they definitely have that in Delaty Gift. And
you talk about a team that that doesn't have a
a through the back to bring back and breaking series
of losses. I think this team does have that. I
would expect them fully in the conversation this selection Sunday
to be in that NCAA tournament field. If they're not there,
if they happen to not make it, you know they're
they're probably a play in tournament, a play in game
team at this point for the n C Double A
field and if they if they find themselves just off
of that side of the bubble, I think this is
the top four team to the WB I t which
guarantees them home court advantage until those those semi finals
in the number two tournament postseason tournament. And women's basketball,
which if you had told me that at the start
of the year under a first year head coach and
the first time I coached in Lee Tamard, I think
any by you said probably should have and would have
taken it.
Speaker 1: Sean, best way to support you, what you do, how
you do it, and then any articles you're going to
be publishing here shortly that we should keep an eye
out for on kjo dot com.
Speaker 4: Yeah, you know, at Kissel dot com, Cansel dot com,
slash Sports if you want to go, uh, book markin,
check us out, support us. There is all free, there's
no payball. Don't worry, guys, uh and we'll get you covered.
As the ninemus of March Shift and over does.
Speaker 1: Let's go Sean Walker, Ladies and gentlemen, thanks so much, Sean,
appreciate you hopping off for a Little Cougar Beat.
Speaker 4: Thanks guys, boom.
Speaker 1: Shot at lock Up. That segment was brought to you
by Central Garage Utah. Central Garage Utah dot com. If
you are in need of a garage door repair, if
you are in need of a new garage door, let
a big b yu Van Kelly of Central Garage Door
Aga and support you. He's gonna get you the best deal.
He's gonna do the right work at the right price.
Give them a call, set up a deployment. Shoot him
a text eight oh one, six oh four two nine.
That's eight one six oh four two nine one nine. Uh.
They've been serving you.
Speaker 4: Check out in fifteen minutes per line for at t
mobile dot com.
Speaker 2: Get ready for the madness. Join the ESPN the Fan
Bracket Challenge editor today at ESPN Thefan dot com. Time
for keeping up with the Cougars. Brought to you by
Odion Men'swear, proudly outfitting young professionals, young adults, boys, and
missionaries across the globe with quality suits and apparel. Find
a location near you or odeonmenswear dot com.
Speaker 1: Welcome back, Cougar Sports. One of three nine ninety eight
point three is being the fan. I'm been fertil broadcasting
from our band Orwelth Studios, Banderwealth dot com. Get on
a free Q and A no obligation to invest Q
and A with our tax SMRT Wealth Advisors certify financial planners.
Nobody does it better than band or Wealth. It is
time for a little keeping up with the Cougars. I
got a former BAU great, Cameron Jensen, buy my side.
We're gonna bring in another former BA rates to talk
some BAU football camp Kalini twenty twenty six dot Quarterbacks
and much more. It's gonna be brought to you by
Odion Men'swear Odeon men'swear dot Com. If you're looking to
elevate your suit game, if you're looking to elephate maybe
your your churchwear, your missionary attire, your men's attire, then
head on over to Odeon Men's where they have multiple
locations on the Watside front. You can always utilize the
Crital fifteen Crittle fifteen coupon code to get fifteen percent
off your order all day, every day. If you need
a new suit, you need new dress shirts, you need
new slacks, you need new shoes, you need uh, you know,
just whatever. Men's wear missionary wear or church attire. We
got you cover No's answer, butch about it. Let them
know we sent you for VMP products, vmpy service, VP discounts.
Let's get out to the hotline and welcome to former
BYU quarterback. We got Steve Clements on the line. Steve,
how you living? Bro?
Speaker 5: All better than I deserve?
Speaker 3: You?
Speaker 1: Ben doing awesome, man, doing great, doing grand doing wonderful.
You know you look actually really good in your elevate
suit in your tempo shirts. Man, I know you love
those things.
Speaker 5: I do. They're They're sweet. I've really enjoyed wearing those
once a week and yeah, it's quite quality in the craftsmanship,
and I've really enjoyed wearing them as part of my
weekly routine.
Speaker 1: Do you think you do? You think you can sling
a pill? Pretty well? I know you got invited to
the alumni game. Could you do you think you could
play in your tempo shirt and not be restricted in
your throw motion?
Speaker 5: Oh? Absolutely, it's that good that that faverric is that well?
Like you see that mountain over there, I bet I
could throw a ball over that mountain. Man, if you
look out the window right.
Speaker 1: Now, Hey, man, you got the invite. You got the
call up. Man, you're gonna play. You're gonna play in
the alumni game. How does it feel to get recruited
by Kilani and co? For the alumni game?
Speaker 5: Oh, it's great to be able to take my talents
down to Provo in April. Third man, I it's it's
so nice to finally get get the monkey off my
back and finally commit. You know, I've been weighing this
for quite some time. So no, it'll be fun. I'm
looking forward to it, and I couldn't make it last year,
but I will say this, I'm gonna have to throw
the pill like the next three weeks religiously.
Speaker 1: Yeah, you gotta get some get get some throws in,
do some range of motion. Don't overuse it. Be on
a pitch count, obviously, because we don't want you. We
don't want you injured going into the game. Elevate your collagen.
Maybe start taking a little bit of creatine and make
sure you're stretching.
Speaker 5: Yes, I'm going creating. I'm going Rocky one, two, three, four,
and five, and maybe repeat Rocky two. Because when Adrian
tells him when and the and the gong sounds and
he goes into his workout like that's one of the
greater scenes at least in a sports movie in my estimation.
So yeah, I got a lot of motivation, Buddy, love
it man.
Speaker 1: Well, uh, Camp Koalani's starting up now and we're seeing
reports come out, videos being published on social media. We're
reading through all the articles we've been able to interview.
Some of these guys would have been the key storylines
for you coming out of Camp Killaane this spring ball.
Speaker 5: Well, I think what I'm going to be Well, obviously
all the transfers that we've had, whether that's both sides
of the ball, and how quickly they can make an
impact along with the freshmen so basically the new faces,
and how quickly can they impact, How quickly can they
come in and learn the playbook on either the offensive
side or the defensive side, mesh with the team. Some
of the leaderships that you know stayed on Evan Johnson's Tonavasa,
obviously Bear even though he's just a freshman, he's still
a veteran. And and how these guys all mesh and
commingle together with you know, a new defensive coordinator, and
and how Bear progresses having a year under his belt
on the offensive side, and I think being able to
I think the want is to throw the ball a
little bit more. But now we have, you know, kind
of an issue a receiver, which is the next point
is the biggest I think question mark is who feels
the roles of Chase and Parker and how does that
receiver room lineup depth chart wise and rotation wise. And
there's there's a lot to uh to look at and
but but yeah, that's what screens for and sounds like
so far, so good.
Speaker 1: Yeah, who are some of the new covers? Yeah, we
Cameron and I were talking about the new covers were
most intrigued by. Uh so, who are the guys you're
most intrigued by, And who do you think is going
to really maybe elevate and create a significant role for
themselves this year and why.
Speaker 5: We've talked about this before, But I think the two
Lehigh kids, both Devon Eka and Lesid Glasger, I think
they're due to make an impact on the offensive side
of the ball because having talked to them, they've ingrained
themselves into the college life, which is vastly different than
obviously going to Lehigh High School or any other high
school in America and so they're excited to be that there.
They they've talked about how much weight they've gained and
the strength in the spring program, the off season program,
the weights program, strength and conditioning at by U has
really elevated their game. Their thing is going to be
in between the ears. So I think athletically spring allows
them to, you know, get some girth on their bodies,
especially Devon and so but I think they're really going
to make an impact, at least on the offensive side
of the ball as a young eighteen nineteen year old
and so, uh, they're they're they're quite the talent and
they're going to be really good and and really bolster
at least, you know, Devon with having Lj's back, Moa
Rex is in there, Devon, I mean, I think they're
running back. Course. Was that used to be a concern
is now going to be a strength going forward. It's
just now, okay, what have we got as a receiver.
Who's going to step up, who's going to raise their hand?
I got this just here here, hold my root beer
and watch this.
Speaker 3: And so.
Speaker 5: That's obviously the biggest question and probably concern going into
the spring and hopefully, you know, by the time end
of spring and end of this month, we'll have an
idea of a too deep receiver. Corps love that as
j Yeah.
Speaker 1: Look, there's plenty of opportunity. Man. If you're a wide
receiver with Chase graduating Parker on the outs, and there's
plenty and you have a quarterback that just threw for
three thousand yards and completed sixty four sixty five percent
of his passes, I'm putting in work. If I'm a
wide receiver, I'm like, hey, you want to hang out Beart,
what are you doing after practice? I'll run routes for you.
You know you want to get us some extra work
on Saturday, I'll run routes for you. You know. I'm
putting in that work to be that guy for Bear
fighting tooth and nail.
Speaker 5: Absolutely and I and I know that. I'm sure Bear's
doing that. I'm sure Enich's doing that because he's fighting
for a backup spot. Trason's doing that as far as
the quarterback. So my assumption, in my estimation, because I
used to do this too, is Chad Lewis would come
to me and go, dude, I'm not Obviously I'm not
in the starting role. Because he was younger, he was
a freshman. But let's go throw after practice and Chad
and I would just chunk it just every day after
practice because I wouldn't get in a lot of repose
the backup and so Wallas got the majority of the
reps with the ones and so, and I'm sure those
guys are doing the same thing because you know in
college and you got such a newness with the receivers
and quarterbacks. It's timing, man. And if you don't have
the timing down with you guys, because one guy's going
to run a fader out a little bit different than
the other, or speed and separation or if there's none,
so different routes by different guys are gonna produce different results.
And then so the timing's gotta be money. But that's
when you do. This is in March and April in May.
Speaker 1: So love that breakdown. Steve Klements here on your Utah
ESPN Radio network, former bo your quarterback. Last time we chatted,
we were discussing maybe the QB two battle Enick Watson
versus Trayson Borget Trason is I think some was solidified
as that QB two, But what if you heard about
Enick Watson. Do you think you can push a tenured, experience,
red shirt senior and Tracon Borgae at that QB two spot.
Speaker 5: Well, my understanding is he's he's more gifted athletically, like
with the ways down, like he could move, he's quite
an athlete. Yeah, and he can spin it too, So
I don't know if Trason athletically probably falls a little
bit short behind Enoch and that, But then Trason has
the experience, right, He's actually played at the Division one
level in games Michigan State years and years ago, but
there's no substitute for experience where and then he has
the backing I know of the team behind him. He's
sent out in the community. He's a really really good
kid out. I talked to him last fall camp for
about five minutes from they were warming up right before practice. Guy,
he's a solid dude and I love the kid. But
so there's still going to be a battle because because
I think Enix athleticism and then be able to spin it.
His just think he's no different than a freshman coming
in or even a transfer in. How quick can you
pick up the offense right and the reads and the
coverages and what a Rod wants him to do and
the timing with the receivers, there's a lot. But he's
been on campus now for what three months or so,
so I think or we'll be fine in that position too,
with with capable backups. I have no doubt that they're
going to coach encup and get him up to speed
on the playbook and you know, by the time spring's over,
I think he'll be fine. I mean, you look at
Bear last year. He had zero clue whatsoever, and he
steps in and throws for a three thousand yards. Yeah,
some even said he was a better thrower and Tim
Tebow at some point.
Speaker 1: That's insane. I can't believe. So we actually say that
a better throwing Tim Teba. How dare the person that
the audacity of that man or woman.
Speaker 5: Or that's right depends on the day, buddy.
Speaker 1: Yeah, no, I feel you on that. So one of
the things I'm I'm very much intrigued by with this
this team, especially during you know, fall camp ETCS. You
know this the offense has more new faces than the defense, right,
like all the defense is pretty much back like for
the most part. You've got some some losses, but there
there was a ton of guys behind them that had
tenure in talent and experience. Uh, there's a lot of
new faces Walker Lions, Roger Saliapaka, Kyler Kasper, new face right,
you mentioned legend Glasgar Davon Ekka. You do have l J.
Martin's kind of sitting out right now. I mean he's
doing drills and tough stuff, but he's not doing all
twenty two and and you know, being a part of
like necessary team drills. That looks like just because he's
still recovering from surgery, But like, how how much of
a dynamic is that? It seems like it's a competitive
disadvantag versus a projected in my mind, a top twenty
five defense that returns. I mean, they were a top
twenty five defense the last two years and they don't
lose much and it's the same scheme and most of
the same coaches. I feel like this defense is a
top twenty five defense and the offense got to go
against them every single day with a ton of new bodies,
including the new offensive alignment. How difficult is that to
manage as an offensive coordinator with your install especially if
you're struggling, you know, getting guys integrated into the playbook
and knowing where their alignment is and knowing how to
execute that scheme.
Speaker 5: Well, I think the better to the defense, the better
the show during a practice for an offense. And conversely,
obviously when I say offense, defense, defense, offense, I'm talking
about both sides. That on one side, if you can
show you know, BYU does their thing and we're going
up against a top twenty five defensey day in practice,
that's what we want. That's what a Rod wants, that's
what Claney wants, because we don't we want to face
We're not trying to go beat, you know, and practice
against a bunch of old dominions. Right it's the Texas
texts of the world. That's who we're looking at, you know,
and that's who we're I think we're going to be
one and two probably pre season Big twelve right there
again with those guys. So that's that's the bar that
we're going after. And so if we can we can
see that bar in practice every day and go against
something like we're going to see h throughout the year
on the highest level, which would be a Texas Tech
and then you make the playoffs and you you know,
you invite all the SEC teams into that category. That's
kind of project. That's where we're at right now with
the last three years or expectations, they're higher. So yeah,
we can't have a drop off from Monday through Thursday.
So let's put our best guys out there. We run
our scheme against your scheme, and let's get after it
because it's only going to make us better towards the
end of the year. And playing obviously the team up
north there in the middle, that's always going to be
tough no matter what, because it's it's our rivals, right,
So those are the teams that we you want to
heart kind of not emulate, but kind of emulate during
practice because it just makes the offense better. And if
the offense performs at a high level in practice, it's
only making the defense better. I mean, that's that's the
game of sports. So it's it's Saturdays are for fun
and kind of enjoying it. You work and grind Monday
through Thursday.
Speaker 1: So got to put in the work. Got put in
that lonely work as well in order to build chemistry.
Hopefully this offensive unit is going to be doing that.
Steve kleamis form or BYU great Quarterback talking some BYU Football.
Couple last things before we let you go. This is
a keeping up with the Cougar segment brought to you
by Odeon Men's where Odion Menswear dot com. Remember to
use the Crital fifteen coupon code for all your missionary
retire oh, your men's attire and your church attire. Steve,
one of the only question mark that I had, I
really have about this team, apart from you know, the
dynamic of integration and cohesion on the offensive side. With
so many new faces, you have replaced the the defensive
secondary coaches right, and traditionally historically BYU secondary hasn't been
the best. Let's be honest. In the Whag days, I mean,
I don't know what the talent was like back in
your day, year in a year out in the depth,
there was always kind of like this question, but do
we have the guys to cover on the back end
the Mountain West Conference days, you know, there was when
I came in. You know, everyone was really concerned about
the secondary and uh, and then we had to prove
ourselves right and we but we didn't have a ton
of depth there. Independence was was tough right, and uh,
I think the Big twelve has been tough. But you
lose j Hill, you lose Gennaro, you lose Gavin Faller. Uh.
You you bring in Toamorio Warren, you bring in Lewis Walker,
you bring in uh, you elevate Wes Johnson, which I
thought it was a really smart thing to do, and
then you bring in Dandy Sorenson. Do you feel like,
what what makes you believe that there's not going to
be any drop off even though like your entire coaching
staff on the back end was replaced. I know everyone
comes back, right, but give me, give me some uh
insight from your perspective on why there won't be a
drop off in that secondary.
Speaker 5: Well, I think two names and not not to disrespect
k Pap, but Kalanie Sataki and Gary Anderson. Well, those
guys in their experience and knowing that they and traditionally
what you want to do is develop a defense or
an offense inside out, which means you've got to have
dudes up front. You need four guys at least in
our defense that can get to the quarterback without bringing
a fifth. Even if you bring a fifth or sixth.
The scheme is such that the back end. Obviously you
have to mesh the back in with the front end.
So I think why we're going to be we're fine
on the back end is because on the front end
we're so solid and our front seven is going to
be I think one of the best at least in
the in the Big twelve. And so yeah, we're not
paying guys five million dollars like Texas Tech is, but
schematically we can play around with coverages as long as
our guys can get to the quarterback not needing a blitz. Now,
if we have to start blitzing, then we got to
lock up and then we go, oh crap. Now this
it really does become a game of one on ones,
which a lot of people say anyway. But and you know,
in this defense, Kolani has always wanted to be a
manna man. That's what he likes. He likes a man
a man defense, have four to five guys be able
to get to the quarterback without bringing too many more.
Morgan's is not going to do anything different up North,
So they're very similar defenses. Gary Anderson, you know, has
been doing this a long time and same philosophy. So
I think with having such a good front end. It
allows you to play maybe some games at least until
we're up to speed. Obviously, safety is one we got
to replace Tanner with. But like schematically, an experience on
the coaching staf, even with KBO, Dude, I'm we're fine,
Like we're I'm not worried about it, just because schematically
in the experience that we have on the staff, regardless
of you know, the dB coaches, Orn and even Sorens
and those guys, the knowledge that they're going to bring,
and I'm not worried about the knowledge either. We'll be fun, dude.
I'm telling you this is this is gonna be a
fun season. I'm I'm really looking forward to it to
just what we have coming back transfer freshman. It's a
It's a great day to be a coup for sure.
Speaker 1: So I got one last thing for you. I chatted
with k Pop last week. We chatted with Kilani during
the signing period, signing day. You know, we've seen this transition,
I would say in the Kilani era. I think recently,
I want to say it like in twenty twenty three,
we started really hear a lot more humble, hungry, humble, hungry, humble, hungry,
and I think my opinion from me from my perch right,
we've seen a little pride cycle right twenty sixteen that
year one of the Clonie era, Like they had a
great team. They were nine and four, but they were
eight points away from being essentially a top ten team,
Like they were on knocking on the door in a
lot of these high profile games and they just fell short.
So there was a ton of optimism going into twenty seventeen,
like super high expectations because what they had done the
year before, and it was a precipitous drop. Little pride
cycle twenty twenty, twenty twenty one, after kind of going
through the humbling era of seventeen eighteen nineteen and a
lot of losses, a lot of average seasons, we had
eleven and one and then a ten to three season
top twenty five years. We had a ton of dudes
coming back in twenty twenty two. If you look at
that roster, we had a ton of NFL talent there
at Blake Freelinn, Jaren Hall, Chris Brooks I think was
on that roster. You go down that list and by
you ended up being an eight win team. They had
to get their eighth win in the bowl game. It
was it was a drop off right in twenty twenty two.
It was a little pride cycle. And then what my
concern is is this, We're we're I'm excited about this team.
There's a ton of talent and you got the coaching
staff there. You're excited, Cameron's excited, We're all excited. Like,
is there a few is there a possibility we could
have another pride cycle drop off? And what leads you
to believe that we are truly going to stay humble,
stay hungry, and continue to like own that culture.
Speaker 5: No, because I think it's just it's now it's a
plug and play with these guys, even with the transfer
which has changed since you know, even a couple of
years ago. So you've got new guys in a program.
But the guys that are coming over there transferring that
aren't necessarily looking to go to BYU because of the
school or maybe the religion. It's to play football for
a culture that Klania is now cemented at by U
and becoming really level Edwards esque in his approach, and
guys want to go play for the guy I mean,
the humble, hungry I mean that's that's him. So he's
never satisfied, but he's always going to to be have
humility in his life because that's what he's been taught
since he was a young man by his dad. And
so that where the that's where the culture kind of
comes in and kind of fuses and glues everything together
where we might be missing a spot here, depth here, whatever.
That's where I think a really good culture can overcome
some maybe deficiencies even in schematics or athletically or personnel,
injuries whatever. Now you get the injury bug and you
may not have a way out. Even the culture may
not save you. It depends on when the injuries come
and who they come to and how frequent they are. Right,
But that aside, I really do think the expectations are there.
The kids know it. It's not about yeah, we're not
playing in the Mountain West anymore, We're not playing in
the Whack anymore. It's this is big twelve and big
boy football. And everybody that comes here understands that now.
And I think that's why they want to come here,
because it's not just the culture, but like they're playing
some dudes week in and week out, and they're not afraid.
They're not scared, and that's where the hungry part comes.
I think with Klonne's philosophy, it's I mean, we're not
scared of anyone. I mean this is this is the
current trajectory of BAYU football, which is going up. We're
not plateauing, We're not satisfied. But at the same time
we have to be humble and understand where to be
grateful and thankful for having a program like this and
being able to play one of the greatest sports on
the face of the earth.
Speaker 1: So the greatest sport on the faces of the Cameron's
got a question for you points there.
Speaker 6: I agree with everything you said. It's a unique culture
now with college football where these players in essence off
in every year to play, and I think there's an
ownership and commitment level that comes with that. And just
adding on one thing, I like our leadership on this
team coming back in critical positions. I look at that
where you keep humble and hungry is really starts with
the team. Colony has done everything. Our coaching staffs there
who are the leaders on this team, and Bear's really
shown that as I've heard in spring ball in this offseason,
you've got a quarterback, the guy out there leading is vital.
And then you've got LJ. You've got Bruce Mitchell, the
front line, you've got ton of and all the defense
coming back. You've got this court leadership that knows what
it's like to win. And I don't think they're going
to see I know, I don't think they're going to
allow a letdown forsaking injuries. Like you said, injuries are
the one thing I'm afraid of the most with this team,
especially bear positions, which is always the case. But I
like our leadership and their ability to lead us, so
we don't run into that this year.
Speaker 5: But yeah, and if you if you think about it, Cambell,
you just said, it's the leadership almost right down the
middle of the field, right, LJ, running back, quarterback, center,
uh Ton of Asa what or whatever. Isaiah Isaiah would
probably be more on the outside, but then you got uhalas.
Speaker 1: Name follow out and Moody.
Speaker 5: So so till to your point, that's a lot of
the middle set or who you do said, right down
the middle of the lineup offensively, defensively, right key positions,
and so yeah, I think you're right. Leadership and those
key positions bear having one more year, and I think
really even tracing being in a backup, I mean that
experience is that you know, way back in the day
where I, even though I wasn't a starter, there's no
reason why I could be a leader even though I'm
not out there playing. But I'm around the guys just
as much as you know, Johnny Laws, and so yeah,
it doesn't matter if you're starting or not. I think
beyond just leadership in certain spots as starters, but you
also have a capability as backups and guys that are
not maybe playing every down to be leaders as well.
And I think you're seeing a little bit of that
too because of the culture that Kilaney has instilled, the
humble and hungry at the same time, but not necessarily
just because you're a starter. Anybody can be a leader
at any given time or day or whatever.
Speaker 1: So no, I agree Steve Klemis, ladies and gentlemen, former
b Way great get to be one of the quarterbacks
of the alumni game, slinging the pill, scoring touchdowns and
leaving his glory days once again. Steve we Slewt, you
appreciate you man. Thanks for I'm still open.
Speaker 6: Nobody's recruited me yet so.
Speaker 1: The camera was a great tight end and running back
in high school fantastic.
Speaker 6: Didn't you play some quarterback to a state championship game?
We had two quarterbacks go down. I lined up under
then we got a guy back.
Speaker 1: Here round the option. We run the state option, we
ran the speed option.
Speaker 5: I'll be your agent.
Speaker 1: See what type of NILD so you guys can get
done before the the the alumni game. Let's go Steve
Clemis man, appreciate, I love you man, Thanks for hopping on.
We'll catch you do.
Speaker 5: Good week, all right.
Speaker 1: Man, They go to Steve Clements. It was brought to
you by Odion Men's where Dyo menswear dot com. If
you're looking for an elevated performance where with your your
missionary war. If your missionary out there, you get a
free gift with your missionary call when you head into
Odeon Men's where your church attire, your your business attire.
We got you covered at Odeon Men's where elevate your
suit game, elevate your your dress game today at Odion
Men's where utilize the Crital fifteen coop on Coke Crital fifteen,
Crital fifteen, Crital fifteen to get fifteen percent off. What
a great show. Fantastic show, Big Cougar Roy, everyone that
joined us. Cameron Jensen here's been by my side throughout
it all. Shout out to Steve Clements obviously Big COUGARO
to all of our guests. We had Sean Walker and
got into a number of sound bites, etc. We appreciate
everyone tuning in and chiming in Big Cougar Road to
the architect of the show, Ronald the free Man Weaver
as well as Brett always bringing the hammer. We had
Vic Kram on the data aggregation and newsletter and also
Big Coogaroar to Casey Lundquish and Laane Outo support our sponsors. Guys,
we can't do our show without our sponsors, so please
always give them an opportunity to earn your business and
then download the podcast as well. Whenever you get a
minute and I give us a rating, give us review
any final thoughts see Genser thirty three the General before
we see farewell, say adieu to Cougar Nation on a Friday.
Speaker 6: Oh, it's a great day to be a Cougar ben.
We're trending in the right direction in this team with
the leadership coming back and the key positions, having the
full spring going in, the young guys stepping up. Man,
I like where we're at.
Speaker 1: Yes, indeed, a lot of optimism, like swirling down there
in Provo. They got a lot of pep in their
step in Provo. Right Now, we're a football school. This
is the year. I think we all can agree. Now
we're a football school.
Speaker 6: Oh yeah, yeah, and the expectations are there. I love
the Klanie saying humble and hungry. But I just like
what we've built, the core we've had, and to build
on it and take this next level into next year,
just the next step. Well let's go here, Yet we
have to wait?
Speaker 1: Can we just get away? It's it's uh. You got
to go through the ups and downs of the year,
the springball, the development, the strength and conditioning, all that
stuff before you get into fall camp. But I would
like to see