PROVO - It might be July but doesn’t stop the title of fall camp being thrown around.
BYU football opens up their camp Thursday night at the Student Athlete Building, one of the earliest starts in program history.
Fall Camp is always an exciting time for any fan base around the country. BYU fans have a lot to be excited about with their beloved Cougars. Most notably, year two under head coach Kalani Sitake. How will the Cougars improve on a solid 9-4 season? It’s going to take some players to elevate their game, and that opportunity is in front of the team during camp.
Who are those players or storylines that will emerge from camp? Well you’ve landed on the right article, here are three bold predictions for what will transpire in camp.
1. Micah Simon will be BYU’s best receiver in camp
Simon has that swagger and confidence you like to see in a wide receiver. What’s ironic about that statement is that Simon has only played in two games in his BYU career, with the last coming against Wagner in 2015.
Simon’s speed is dynamite and is bound to turn heads in camp. Clocking in at a sub 4.4-forty at last month’s testing for the team, Simon could be special at BYU. According to one source, “Simon just looks like he belongs on the football field.”
In a wide receiver group that is expected to be open for competition Simon is my pick to shine.
2. Koy Detmer Jr will win the backup quarterback job
This is a delicate situation for Ty Detmer. If Koy was the same quarterback but a different last name, I’d say Koy would already be the number two quarterback on the depth chart. He’s undersized and he has his flaws like all of the QB’s not named Tanner Mangum, but the battle between Koy and Beau Hoge is closer than many realize. Give me the guy who was known as “the surgeon” for slicing and dicing up opposing defenses.
3. Lorenzo Fauatea is a starter against Portland State
The former Hunter High standout has been working out relentlessly in the weightroom to prepare for fall camp with former Utah and BYU players. Fauatea signed with BYU on Signing Day over the likes of Utah and Oregon State -who he was once committed to- and is now ready to compete right away for BYU. From people that are close to the program, there is a strong belief that Fauatea plays right away, and the defensive staff is expecting to contribute immediately. BYU has a history of producing true freshman who emerge out of fall camp along the defensive front, Fauatea is the next guy. I’m going to say he earns a starting nod in the interior of the defensive line.
Mitch Harper is the Publisher of Cougar Nation and is the Executive Producer of Cougar Sports with Ben Criddle on ESPN 960. Follow him on Twitter/Snapchat/Instagram: @Mitch_Harper
