BYU Football Players Are Finding Ways To Pass Time During Coronavirus Pandemic

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Everyone is adjusting their lives during this Coronavirus COVID-19 Pandemic, including members of the BYU Football team. The Cougars were in the middle of spring practices when the Coronavirus outbreak ultimately suspended practices.

So now players are adjusting and finding ways for entertainment during this unprecedented time.

Isaiah Kaufusi

Senior linebacker Isaiah Kaufusi is one of the leaders of the BYU Football team in 2020 and having more time at home gave him the opportunity to see his child’s first steps.

What @BYUfootball player LB @isaiah_kaufusi does on quarantine days.

IT IS ALL ABOUT BABY FOSTER TAKING THOSE FIRST FEW STEPS AND MOMMY AND DADDY BEING THERE TO WITNESS IT ALL. PRICELESS!#GoCougs pic.twitter.com/e1RXvUxkmi

— BYU Football Recruiting (@BYUFBRecruiting) March 24, 2020

Tristen Hoge

Tristen Hoge returns for his final year at BYU after being sidelined by injuries a season ago. Apparently, he’s working out with masks from Guardians of the Galaxy movies. The commitment is impressive. Even Hoge’s father, Marty, a social media star within BYU Football Twitter can even respect this.

What ⁦@BYUfootball⁩ player OL Tristan Hodge does on quarantine days
HE PUTS ON HIS STAR LORD MASK AND WORKS OUT SO THAT HE CAN LAND THE LEAD ROLE IN THE NEXT GUARDIAN OF THE GALAXY MOVIE. 😂#GOCOUGS pic.twitter.com/XAArQVx4Ma

— BYU Football Recruiting (@BYUFBRecruiting) March 26, 2020

Chaz Ah You, D’Angelo Mandell, Malik Moore

Folks, if you haven’t participated in an Instagram challenge while at home during this pandemic, you’re not staying at home correctly. Ah You, Mandell, and Moore, three players that are expected to be significant contributors to BYU’s defense this fall, put out a challenge to members of the BYU Women’s Volleyball team.

What @BYUfootball players @Caillou3AhYou @Dlo_Gunter @malik9moore @jo_ahyou
do on quarantine days.
THEY TEAM UP AND CHALLENGE @taylertausinga & @BYUwvolleyball TEAM TO A SKILLS CHALLENGE AND ADD THEIR OWN TWIST. 😂#GoCougs #InHouseChallenge pic.twitter.com/9HUsSpeEAO

— BYU Football Recruiting (@BYUFBRecruiting) March 23, 2020

Ammon Hannemann

With a family that hails from Kahuku, Hawaii, it only makes sense that the youngest Hannemann brother is carving up some waves while away. Like his older brothers Jacob and Micah, Ammon is a talented athlete with a bright future ahead of him in BYU’s defensive secondary.

What @BYUfootball player Safety Ammon Hannemann does during quarantine days
HE GOES TO HAWAII AND TRYS TO CATCH A WAVE FROM THE TOP AND GETS WIPED OUT!!!
“YO AMMON YOU’RE NOT AT HUNTINGTON BEACH HELLOOO!!!”
😂#GoCougs pic.twitter.com/CPQcRtFSij

— BYU Football Recruiting (@BYUFBRecruiting) March 25, 2020

Carter Wheat

Anyone who taps into the Mamba Mentality is likely to be able to overcome anything. This stay at home movement should be a breeze for Wheat a redshirt freshman tight end, who played in a few games last season and brings competitive depth to a talented tight end unit this fall.

What ⁦@BYUfootball⁩ player TE
⁦@CarterWheat⁩ does on quarantine days.
HE GETS INTO HIS MAMBA MENTALITY ZONE AT 5AM IN THE MORNING AND PAYS TRIBUTE TO KOBE. WE HAD TO TELL HIM TO CHANGE HIS MUSIC 5 TIMES AND THIS WAS THE FINAL CUT
😂#GoCougs pic.twitter.com/zYVNmTBs7m

— BYU Football Recruiting (@BYUFBRecruiting) March 25, 2020

Ryan Rehkow / Austin Riggs

In the last five years, BYU has been blessed with players who love the role of long snapping. They have another one in Austin Riggs who is passionate to snap the football and he showed off those long snapping abilities with fellow returned missionary Ryan Rehkow who will challenge to be BYU’s starting punter this season.

What @BYUFBRecruiting players @austinrriggs @r_rehkow24 do on quarantine days.

THEY MEDITATE, PRAY AND HOPE FOR A GOOD SNAP AND PUNT THAT WOULD GO 60 PLUS YARDS AND FOR AUSTIN TO MAKE THE FUMBLE CAUSING TACKLE DOWN FIELD.#GoCougs pic.twitter.com/uSTSI994ht

— BYU Football Recruiting (@BYUFBRecruiting) March 24, 2020

Kyle Griffitts 

I told everyone that BYU tight end/fullback Kyle Griffitts was one of the best BYU athletes to follow on social media and he’s stepped it up since heading back home to Florida. Griffitts picked up a gator, named it “COVID” and released it back to its natural habitat.

What @BYUfootball player TE @kgee42 does on quarantine days.
HE RETURNS HOME TO FLORIDA AND HELPS TRANSPORT GATORS TO THEIR NATURAL HABITAT #GoCougs pic.twitter.com/CD1ipZ5cir

— BYU Football Recruiting (@BYUFBRecruiting) March 23, 2020

George Udo

Udo, a sophomore, who moved from cornerback to safety, is viewed as one of the best all-around athletes on BYU’s defense. Even though the team facility is closed, Udo is finding ways to still workout with a homemade gym.

What ⁦@BYUfootball⁩ player ⁦⁦@GeorgeUdo18⁩ does on quarantine days.
IF THE GYMS ARE CLOSED, BUILD YOUR OWN GYM IN YOUR BACKYARD AND INVITE LESS THAN 10 FRIENDS IT’S THE LAW GEORGE😂#GoCougs pic.twitter.com/2bRA3WnAM2

— BYU Football Recruiting (@BYUFBRecruiting) March 25, 2020

Earl Tuioti-Mariner

Always respect a person who can play a musical instrument. Tuioti-Mariner returns to the defensive line this season after suffering a season-ending injury at the midway point of the 2019 campaign.

What ⁦@BYUfootball⁩ player DT Earl Tuioti-Mariner does on quarantine days.
HE PUTS ON HIS CARLOS SANTANA HAT AND BACKS UP HIS WHINNEY AND FORMER COUGAR DT ⁦@TravisTuiloma⁩ WHILE LITTLE TRAVIS IS RECORDING THEM ON THE FAR SIDE SOFA ON HIS IPAD
😂#GOCOUGS pic.twitter.com/zsBEwxVoZh

— BYU Football Recruiting (@BYUFBRecruiting) March 26, 2020

Masen Wake

As someone who frequents TikTok (follow KSL Sports TikTok by the way), this video from sophomore tight end Masen Wake is a trendy move on the growing social media app.

What @BYUfootball player FB @masenwake22 does on quarantine day
HE PROTECTS HIS BIG BROTHER IN ANYWAY POSSIBLE!!!
(well almost)#GoCougs pic.twitter.com/swWGQDoxLH

— BYU Football Recruiting (@BYUFBRecruiting) March 23, 2020

Ethan Atagi

What ⁦@BYUfootball⁩ player OL ⁦@atagi66⁩ does on quarantine days.
HE PUTS TOGETHER A TIK TOK PUSH UP ROUTINE IN HOPES OF GETTING A MILLION HITS LIKE HIS UNCLE #IAMJACKDAMUNI 😂#GOCOUGS

Check out Ethan Atagi's video! #TikTok https://t.co/po5nCmteEW

— BYU Football Recruiting (@BYUFBRecruiting) March 26, 2020

Kade Pupunu

What ⁦@BYUfootball⁩ player LB Kade Pupunu does on quarantine days.
HE GOES TO THE BONNEVILLE FLATS AND LOOKS FOR WATER TO SWIM IN SO HE CAN IMAGINE HIMSELF IN HAWAII
😂#GoCougs pic.twitter.com/E1aMYnt1fb

— BYU Football Recruiting (@BYUFBRecruiting) March 25, 2020

Chase Hughes

What @BYUfootball linebacker Chase Hughes does on quarantine day?
HE HITS THE DRIVING RANGE TAKES OUT HIS 6 IRON AND DRIVES IT 207 YARDS.#GoCougs pic.twitter.com/lKnjE2J3RK

— BYU Football Recruiting (@BYUFBRecruiting) March 23, 2020

Chase Wester

What ⁦@BYUfootball⁩ player @cwester10 does on quarantine days.
SURROUNDS HIMSELF WITH MIRRORS AND WORKOUT WORKOUT WORKOUT! #GoCougs pic.twitter.com/f2jK5qiyFM

— BYU Football Recruiting (@BYUFBRecruiting) March 25, 2020

Jonathan Baird

What ⁦@BYUfootball⁩ player Safety @Jonathanbaird31 does on quarantine days.

HE’S TRYING TO CALL OUT ⁦@BYUbasketball⁩ PLAYERS WITH HIS 3 POINT SHOT FROM THE 2ND FLOOR NOTHING BUT NET!!!#GoCougs pic.twitter.com/Wgaigu2GzE

— BYU Football Recruiting (@BYUFBRecruiting) March 24, 2020

Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for sports.ksl.com and host of the Cougar Tracks Podcast (SUBSCRIBE) and Cougar Sports Saturday (Saturday from 12-3 pm) on KSL Newsradio. Follow him on Twitter: @Mitch_Harper.