BYU Football Observations From Competitive Fall Camp Practice
Aug 2, 2024, 10:45 PM | Updated: 10:55 pm
PROVO, Utah – Day three of BYU football fall camp was hot.
Temperatures were approaching triple digits at the Student Athlete Building. Immediately after the practice, many players hit the ice bath to cool off from the scorching hot temperatures.
Hot day at #BYU camp, makes an ice bath a necessity. 🥶 #BYUFootball pic.twitter.com/QPWB5QJ5HC
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) August 3, 2024
At BYU’s renovated practice fields, the sand pit that was a holdover from the Bronco Mendenhall era is no longer there. Field turf has replaced it, and numerous ice baths are lined up for players to jump in after a physical day of camp.
When the media first arrived at the practice field for the 20-minute observation period, we were greeted by punters Sam Vander Haar and Landon Rehkow booting some punts. Shortly after, the action began with a segment of 11-on-11 action in the red zone.
Jake Retzlaff takes center stage during media observation
The first quarterback we saw in action was Jake Retzlaff.
Retzlaff’s first pass was a ball intended for tight end Ryner Swanson down the field that barely went past the outstretched hands of the heralded freshman.
The next pass was a ball that targeted Darius Lassiter in the endzone, but it was slightly overthrown.
Despite incomplete passes, Retzlaff’s throws seemed to have more velocity than some of his passes last season.
The redshirt-junior quarterback had a nice touchdown pass to Keelan Marion in the back of the endzone that was a sidearm laser. Excellent ball that led to the offensive players on the sideline breaking out in a singing of the BYU fight song. They started chanting, “Rah! Rah! Rah! Rah! Go Cougars!”
Defensive highlights
BYU’s defense made some plays during the media observation period. Junior linebacker Harrison Taggart got a tackle for loss on Hinckley Ropati.
Taggart, a former Oregon transfer, should assume a more significant role this season after former captain Ben Bywater’s medical retirement.
Western Michigan transfer QB Treyson Bourguet intended a pass for tight end Nason Coleman for the endzone and safeties Talan Alfrey and Tanner Wall were in coverage to prevent the touchdown.
Alfrey was also in on a pass breakup from McCae Hillstead intended for Ryner Swason.
#BYU Football Fall Camp Report 🏈
• LJ Martin Update
• QB Battle continues
• Highlights from Day 3@Mitch_Harper & @baiamontematt #BYUFootball #GoCougs pic.twitter.com/fvPLKVyyTn— KSL Sports (@kslsports) August 3, 2024
Freshman ball carriers making plays
Going back to the offense, Bourguet had a nice roll-out pass completed to freshman Pokaiaua Haunga.
Freshman running back Sione I. Moa from Timpview High is a walk-on. Moa had some nice runs during the observation period.
On one play, McCae Hillstead was in at quarterback, and the offense was experiencing some confusion. The play call resulted in a handoff to Moa, who took the carry and found a way to break free to score in the red zone.
Faces in the Crowd
Former BYU offensive lineman Garry Pay was observing practice on Friday. Pay has two sons on the team this season, senior Connor Pay and freshman Trevor Pay.
Former Utah Utes standout and NFL RB Matt Asiata was on the sideline watching practice. Asiata’s son, Ephraim, is a freshman defensive end for the Cougars this season.
Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for sports.ksl.com and hosts the Cougar Tracks Podcast (SUBSCRIBE) and Cougar Sports Saturday (12–3 p.m.) on KSL Newsradio. Follow Mitch’s coverage of BYU in the Big 12 Conference on X: @Mitch_Harper.
