alt=Jeff CallPROVO — For the first time in quite a while, expectations are high for the BYU offense.
A year ago, in offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes’ first season at the helm, the Cougars finished No. 78 nationally in scoring offense, No. 85 in passing offense, No. 89 in rushing offense and No. 121 in total offense.
So why all the optimism going into this fall?
For starters, sophomore quarterback Zach Wilson showed glimpses of his potential during BYU’s final seven games with his ability to run and pass. Wilson completed 120 of 182 passes for 1,578 yards with 12 touchdowns and three interceptions. He also ran 75 times for 221 yards and two TDs.
Of course, Wilson can’t do it alone. Fortunately for the Cougars, he has weapons at his disposal.
Asked what he learned from last Saturday’s scrimmage, Wilson said, “We’ve got some stud running backs. That’s going to help our game. I have a lot of reliable receivers.”
But do the Cougars have enough playmakers to make the offense dynamic and prolific?
“We have a lot of experience coming back from a group that performed well at times and at other times, not well enough,” Grimes said. “I think we’re still a group that has a lot to prove.”
BYU returns its leading receiver in tight end Matt Bushman (29 receptions, 511 yards, two touchdowns), its leading rusher in Lopini Katoa (76 carries, 433 yards, eight touchdowns) and its leader in all-purpose yardage in Aleva Hifo (632 yards).
Also back are wide receivers Gunner Romney, Micah Simon, Talon Shumway and Dax Milne.
“We’ve got some young guys and we’re trying to find out who those next best guys are,” Grimes said. “We have five or six guys that have experience and playmaking ability.”
The Cougars added a freshman that has turned heads during fall camp — a 6-foot-3, 190-pounder that stood out during the scrimmage.
“Keanu Hill is a guy that has really shown an ability to make plays. Sometimes when you call it a scrimmage and you come into LaVell Edwards Stadium, some guys get a little bit nervous and don’t perform as well as they could,” Grimes said. “Other guys step up their game even a little bit more. It looks to me he’s that kind of guy. He’s not nervous. He’s played in some big games in a really good high school program. He’s a guy that I don’t think the moment will ever be too big for him.”
The Cougars also bolstered their backfield with the addition of grad transfer running backs Ty’Son Williams and Emmanuel Esukpa.
“They bring a different level of professionalism to that group. They’re focused,” coach Kalani Sitake said of Williams and Esukpa. “They’re both college graduates. This is their last go and they’re excited about it. They’ve already taken a leadership role on the team. We have a lot of young guys and it’s good for them to see that example.”
Grimes said Williams, who transferred from South Carolina, brings experience, among other attributes, to the running backs group.
“You get a guy that’s played in front of big environments and in big games,” Grimes said. “His talent will speak for itself. But his experience in those big-time games will make him very comfortable in our first four.”
Meanwhile, Katoa has taken steps forward during the offseason, Grimes said.
“Lopini has improved in two major areas — one is his blocking. He was not a great blocker last year. But he’s improved dramatically there. He’s bigger and stronger. He feels more confident and durable. And just another year in the offense, making the right reads and making the right cuts at the right times.”
At tight end, Bushman, a Freshman All-American in 2017, is a proven playmaker. While Moroni Laulu-Pututau hasn’t been practicing and Hank Tuipulotu has suffered a season-ending knee injury, Kyle Griffitts, Joe Tukuafu, Carter Wheat and Isaac Rex have shown promise.
“We’ve had a number of guys play there (at tight end). That’s a position where we have some young guys that are in the mix,” Grimes said. “We have a couple of guys banged up coming back from injury. I think that will be a strength for us like it was towards the end of last year.”
Wilson is confident that the BYU offense will be much-improved this season.
“In all aspects, we’re going to be so much better. I think we have some great running backs. Scheme-wise, it’s going to be awesome,” said Wilson. “We have a ton of returning O-linemen. I just honestly feel like we’re going to make huge strides. We’ve found our identity and we know what we want to do as an offense. We’re still working through some of the kinks. But we know what we want to do and I know we’ll get better in every aspect.”