PROVO (ABC 4 Sports) - BYU's first practice of the 2012 fall camp is officially in the books. Players practiced in the heat of the afternoon, getting in conditioning, position drills and some team sessions.
"It was good to be back with the guys again," head coach Bronco Mendenhall said. "There is a lot of work to do. It always makes you appreciate what a team looks like at the end of the season. It makes you appreciate how hard it is to win games. "
The practice started with some warmup conditioning drills and moved into individual position groups. Later on the team got back together and did more stretch and conditioning work. Some of the practice was spent with skelly work (7-on-7), working on passing plays. Wide receiver JD Falslev hauled in a 15-yarder, elevating up high and just getting his toes down inside the sideline for a completion.
"They worked hard. I think their preperation physically looks like its a little bit passed what I expected it to be," Mendenhall said. "Enthusiasm is good, execution is a little rusty but we have good leadership."
During the last segment of practice the team went full 11-on-11, working on various down and distance situations. Quarterback Riley Nelson got several reps, getting several quick passes off all over the field. Quarterbacks James Lark and Jason Munns also took a few snaps.
New freshman recruits reporting for camp included Dylan Collie (WR), Matt Hadley (DB), Micah Hannemann (DB), Austin Hoyt (OL), Theodore King (DL), Jherremya Leuta-Douyere (LB), Butch Pau’u (LB), Rhett Sandlin (LB) and Jamaal Williams (RB). The team also added newcomers Brayden El-Bakri (Fr. RB), Bryan Engstrom (Fr. RB), Quin Ficklin (Fr. OL), Roman Andrus (Fr. DL), Tyson Brook (Fr. DL), Nate Sampson (Fr. LB) and Morgan Unga (Fr. DB).
The Cougars welcomed transfers Drew Reilly (So. DB, Colorado State), Adam Hogan (Jr. DB, Los Angeles Southwest College) and Scott Arellano (So. P, Foothill College) to the team. Also reporting for fall camp were returned missionaries Craig Bills (So. DB), Blake Morgan (Jr. DB), Tui Crichton (RS-Fr. DL), Bronson Kaufusi (Fr. DL), Remington Peck (RS-Fr. DL) and Brad Wilcox (Fr. OL). Jacob Hannemann (Fr. DB) also recently returned from his mission and will join the team when school starts in the fall.
Robbie Buckner (Sr. DB), Trevor Bateman (Fr. DB) and Taumata Tofi (Fr. DL) did not report for fall camp due to medical reasons but are expected to join the team when school starts. Additionally, O’Neill Chambers (Sr. DB) was not invited to participate in fall camp. Coach Mendenhall indicated Chambers is not currently in good standing with the program.
Three players have discontinued their playing careers due to injuries. Jordan Richardson (Sr. DL) will not return to play his final season, joining the previously announced losses of Jray Galea’i (Jr. DB) and Rhen Brown (Sr. WR).
BYU is entering its second season as a football independent in 2012. Last year the Cougars earned a 10-3 record and fifth national top-25 finish in the last six seasons with a No. 25 final ranking in the USA Today Coaches' Poll.
