1. Running Backs

The running back groups has depth, speed, and can run up the middle as well. BYU has a good group with Jamaal Williams leading the way. If he has a great season he has a chance to break the all-time rushing record at BYU this season. Paul Lasike showed he is getting more comfortable in the offense and playing football, and Algeron Brown came on late last season to give us quality depth. If Adam Hine can understand the offense a bit better he can add another level of speed too and give Williams a breather.

Big question coming into the season: Have they improved in picking up blitzes and blocking for the QB which they've struggled with?

2. DB's

BYU is in somewhat uncharted waters with the talent they have at the DB position. Jordan Johnson proved himself two years ago that he could be an elite CB and Robertson showed he was a player last year. Craig Bills and Leavitt got better each game. Adding in Trammell plus transfers like Badger, Wadsworth, and Lee who have experience only adds to an already talented backfield. And from Spring reports it seems like Kai Nacua could play a major role.

Big question: Who steps up to fill the leadership hole Daniel Sorenson left?

3. LB's

Usually is our best position group year-in and year-out but the loss of Van Noy and Unga are huge. Fua and Pikula had some nice plays last year, but it is unrealistic to expect the same kind of production. Kaufusi is also unproven. The guy is NFL talent, but hard to tell how the transition to LB will go. I have a lot of faith in Kelly Poppinga though to get these guys up and running.

Big question: How does Kaufusi transition to playing LB?

4. QB

Taysom is a dark horse Heisman contender and he is only going to be better this year with another year in the offense. He is our best player on the team. The only reason this group isn't higher is that the depth isn't there. The backups are unproven and the departure of Olsen hurt.

Big question: Can Taysom stay healthy and improve his throwing?

5. WR/TE

The group is loaded with talent, but it also has a lot of guys who don't know the offense. Mitch Matthew is coming off an injury so no telling how he will respond and while it seems that Houk and Mahina might finally resurrect the TE position at BYU, we have heard this every year and still nothing.

Big Question: How quickly can the new uys pick up the offense and develop chemistry with Taysom?

6. DL

Losing Manu to the NFl and Kaufusi to a position change has really hurt the depth of this group. It seems like they have some solid players just not a lot of them. I do have some hope though because it seems like the DL is always a question mark coming into the season and Bronco finds a way to make it work.

Big question: Because of GHGF offense the defense has to play a lot of downs and without the depth can they hold up throughout the game and through the season?

7. OL

It's no secret that they were atrocious last year. Hopefully, with another year they show marked improvement. I don't know if it is a talent issue or a coaching issue, but something needs to be changed. The concerning thing is that even after spring ball there is still a lot of uncertainty of who will be getting most of the minutes. It seems like no one has really stepped up.

Big Question: Who is going to play?

I didn't add the kicking group because they are kickers. I do think both lines are the weakest areas of this team, which is concerning because as the cliche goes the games are won in the trenches. I was listening to an interview on the Monty Show and he was talking with someone from the Pac-12 Network. Esentially the guy said that the Pac-12 is putting more skill players in the NFL than any other conference including the SEC, but he said the reason they can't compete is because the SEC has the best line play on both sides of the ball in the country and they can push everyone around.

I am optimistic though and think we have a shot to make it good run and end up with double digit wins.