CougarCorner

I previously posted about what looks like coaching staff changes coming for next year--but checked on the status of players to determine who the players are who might be moving on. We'll know better when they announce the players being honored vs Utah Tech on November 19. Of the 122 players currently listed as on the roster, I count 40 who possibly might not be back next year.

Players listed as seniors on the roster
Defense
Chaz Ah You DB/LB (may use a redshirt? 5th year in program)
Matthew Criddle DB
Lorenzo Fauatea DL
Kaleb Hayes DB
D'Angelo Mandell DB
Malik Moore DB
Pepe Tanuvasa DL
Alden Tofa DL
Earl Tuioti-Mariner DL

Offense
Christopher Brooks RB
Houston Heimuli FB
Chris Jackson WR
Lopini Katoa RB
Lane Lunt TE
Gunner Romney WR
Joe Tukuafu OL

5th year players (Juniors) in 2022
Defense
Jackson Kaufusi LB
Hayden Livingston DB
Atunaisa Mahe DL
Keenan Pili LB
Alema Pilimai DL
Morgan Pyper DB
Gabe Summers DL
Max Tooley LB
Payton Wilgar LB (wife recently instagramed they can't wait to get out of here)

Offense
Clark Barrington OL
Brayden Cosper WR
Jaren Hall QB
Harris LaChance OL

Special Teams
Britton Hogan LS
Jake Oldroyd K/P

4th year players (underclassmen) in 2022
Defense
Jacob Boren DB
Ben Bywater LB
Ammon Hannemann DB
Caden Haws DL
George Udo DB

Offense
Jackson McChesney RB
Isaac Rex TE
Masen Wake TE
Carter Wheat TE

I'll update the list as we hear more.

Given the state of BYU's program today, I foresee several players entering the transfer portal.

Here's the players that I would be sad to see leave:

*Jaren Hall, JR - This season is not helping his draft status so I can't see him going pro. But maybe he transfers to a quality program in need of an experience QB for one season. I believe in him and would like to see him stay.

*Jacob Conover, FR - Hopefully he doesn't become frustrated and leaves. He is supposedly the future. Might as well rest Hall and see what he has now.

*Miles Davis, FR - The only RB to really show anything. Has speed and elusiveness that no one else at his position has.

*Kody Epps, FR - Has shown potential.

*Keanu Hill, SO - Had a great game against Wyoming, but has kind of disappeared.

*Chase Roberts, FR - Started off strong then got injured

*Puka Nacua, JR - I feel like he is the life and soul of this team.

*Tyler Batty, SO - One of the few lone bright spots on the DL.

*John Nelson, SO - I would rather have 5 walk-ons like him than one 4 star recruit that thinks that the starter job should just be given to them.

*Max Tooley, JR - I could do without his shoe throwing, but if that's what it takes to get someone with some aggressiveness then maybe I am ok with it.

*Ben Bywater, SO - Shows up every once in a while to make a TFL.

*Harper Micah, FR - Talented and shows promise.

*Gabe Jeudy-Lally, SO - Decent and...we need some guys to stick around.

If anyone else transfers...good luck to ya finding an FBS team that will take ya.

One worry I have in the QB situation is that Conover is actually in his 3rd year in the program in 2022--he used a redshirt and the covid year to still be a freshman--but how long will he wait at #2? It sounds like Fennegan is the next guy up after him, but I've never heard much of any of the other QBs on the roster. Hopefully another guy is coming in the next year or two.

Jackson McChesney is a mystery to me. He had 228 yards against UMass in 2019. I don't think he's had that many yards in all the rest of his games.

Fido wrote: ↑Sun Oct 30, 2022 1:39 pm One worry I have in the QB situation is that Conover is actually in his 3rd year in the program in 2022--he used a redshirt and the covid year to still be a freshman--but how long will he wait at #2? It sounds like Fennegan is the next guy up after him, but I've never heard much of any of the other QBs on the roster. Hopefully another guy is coming in the next year or two.

I worry about the lack of play time given to any of the backups this year. An injured Hall is no better than an injured Riley Nelson. In both instances the players decided if they would play or not, and in both instances the team suffered. I have as much faith in Aaron Roderick as I did in Brandon Dolman. Conover is supposed to be the heir apparent at quarterback, but at one time so were James Lark and Jason Munns.

jadesroom wrote: ↑Wed Nov 02, 2022 10:48 am

Fido wrote: ↑Sun Oct 30, 2022 1:39 pm One worry I have in the QB situation is that Conover is actually in his 3rd year in the program in 2022--he used a redshirt and the covid year to still be a freshman--but how long will he wait at #2? It sounds like Fennegan is the next guy up after him, but I've never heard much of any of the other QBs on the roster. Hopefully another guy is coming in the next year or two.

I worry about the lack of play time given to any of the backups this year. An injured Hall is no better than an injured Riley Nelson. In both instances the players decided if they would play or not, and in both instances the team suffered. I have as much faith in Aaron Roderick as I did in Brandon Dolman. Conover is supposed to be the heir apparent at quarterback, but at one time so were James Lark and Jason Munns.

Haha, Hall playing injured also reminded me of Riley Nelson. Remember the Nelson/Heaps controversy? This place was on fire with the team and fans alike divided. Oh man, I forgot about Lark and Munns. I was pretty excited for what seemed like very deep QB depth at the time...

In his Monday press briefing, Sitake mentioned that there are 13 seniors who will exhaust their eligibility and others who either have graduated and have a job lined up or will be taking a shot at the NFL so they will be having those discussions with players this week during the bye to get them the information so they can make a decision about their future. I ran the list and came up with these 13 seniors.

RB Christopher Brooks
DB Matthew Criddle
DL Lorenzo Fauatea
DB Kaleb Hayes
FB Houston Heimuli
WR Chris Jackson
RB Lopini Katoa
TE Lane Lunt
DB D'Angelo Mandell
DL Pepe Tanuvasa
DL Alden Tofa
DL Earl Tuioti-Mariner
OL Joe Tukuafu

These seniors may be using/applying for a redshirt year due to injuries and wouldn't be in the 13 mentioned by coach above:
DB/LB Chaz Ah You
DB Malik Moore
WR Gunner Romney

I guess we'll have to wait and see if these guys and any juniors are moving on as well.

Per Mitch Harper, here is the list of 34 players to be honored on Saturday's final home game:
Seniors
RB Christopher Brooks
DB Matthew Criddle
DL Lorenzo Fauatea
DB Kaleb Hayes
FB Houston Heimuli
WR Chris Jackson
RB Lopini Katoa
TE Lane Lunt
DB D'Angelo Mandell
DL Pepe Tanuvasa
DL Alden Tofa
DL Earl Tuioti-Mariner
OL Joe Tukuafu

Juniors
OL Clark Barrington
WR Brayden Cosper
OL Blake Freeland
QB Jaren Hall
LS Britton Hogan
LB Jackson Kaufusi
OL Harris LaChance
DB Hayden Livingston
DL Atunaisa Mahe
RB Jackson McChesney
WR Puka Nacua
K Jake Oldroyd
LB Keenan Pili
DL Alema Pilimai
LB Morgan Pyper
WR Gunner Romney
DL Gabe Summers
LB Max Tooley
DB George Udo
FB Masen Wake
LB Payton Wilgar

Surprises to me are McChesney--he's a 4th year player but must have a job lined up or something, Gunner Romney kind of--I thought he might come back but sounds like 5 years are enough, and Isaac Rex not being on the list--I thought he might be giving pro football a go.