Three Observations From BYU Football Media Day 2021

PROVO, Utah – The BYU Football team concluded their media day availability ahead of the 2021 season.

The main highlight of the event was an announcement regarding a new student athlete program titled “Built 4 Life”

This program was put in place to take advantage of upcoming name, image, and likeness changes in the NCAA. It will also help athletes transition to life after their playing days are over.

Often times in coaching, too much emphasis is put on the actual sport of football, resulting in the lack of education of critical life skills.

Built4Life is a game changing initiative and will change the lives of our student athletes! #GoCougs 🤙🏽 https://t.co/3yICmTT9WJ

— Fesi Sitake (@fsitake) June 17, 2021

No other major announcements were made during the day, but there were plenty of news and notes to get excited for the upcoming season.

I’ll do my best to narrow this down to the biggest observations from BYU Media Day 2021.

1. Built 4 Life

I love that the Cougar athletic department is embracing the future of name, image, and likeness.

Whatever comes from upcoming NCAA changes, BYU will be ready to adjust.

One aspect of Built 4 Life that flew under the radar was the importance this initiative will have in preparing athletes for life after sports.

It’s not just about being able to make money from social media. This program is about educating athletes about life after college.

Kalani Sitake on the newly announced Built 4 Life program: “This flexibility it’s something that is needed by our program to help take care of our kids.”

Tom Holmoe: “There’s too many kids across the country that get used up in football, and that’s not going to happen at BYU.”

— Matthew Baiamonte (@baiamontematt) June 17, 2021

With partnerships and access to silicon slopes, there will be plenty of opportunities for athletes to thrive after graduation.

2. QB Battle

As a surprise to nobody, the BYU coaches did not reveal a starting quarterback for the opening game against Arizona.

However, there were a few nuggets of information about the ongoing quarterback competition.

My biggest takeaway from all the quarterback conversation was a comment made by offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick regarding Jaren Hall.

Aaron Roderick on Jaren Hall: “If he’s able to stay healthy, he’s going to be tough to beat out.”

He mentioned his performance against Utah State in 2019 is some of the best play he’s seen at the QB position. #BYU #BYUMediaDay @kslsports

— Matthew Baiamonte (@baiamontematt) June 17, 2021

Hall isn’t worried about his previous injuries and feels ready to prepared to be the next BYU quarterback.

Regardless of who is named the starting quarterback, Roderick stressed the importance that all three guys be ready to play.

It’s not common for one guy to make it through an entire season in today’s college football.

That’s not ideal, but it’s the reality of the game.

Only two BYU quarterbacks in the past decade have played all 12 games in a season. Zach Wilson in 2020 and Taysom Hill in 2013.

3. Normalcy

Credit BYU for holding an in-person media day. It was nice to interact face-to-face with players and coaches.

Because of the 2020 season, I believe there is a renewed sense of appreciation for things pre-pandemic.

Kalani Sitake on having no fans at LES last year: “That was something that I don’t want to ever go through again. I think the game is supposed to be there for them.”#BYU #BYUMediaDay @kslsports

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) June 17, 2021

I would imagine that the fan experience at Lavell Edwards Stadium this fall is going to be as good as it’s ever been.

You could sense the comfort and ease heading from the players and coaches heading into the season.

With media day in the rear view mirror, the next football milestone is fall camp which will begin on August 5th.

You can hear Matt Baiamonte every Saturday on KSL Newsradio for Cougar Sports Saturday from 12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. or you can find him on Twitter here.