Heralded BYU Newcomer Kody Epps Already Standing Out During Camp

PROVO, Utah – When BYU signed Mater Dei High School (California) wide receiver Kody Epps last December, it was a big addition to the Cougars recruiting class. Epps had interest from the likes of Oregon and Oklahoma during his prep career. Now he is already showing signs as one of the top newcomers in his first year at BYU.

“…the young freshman Kody Epps is starting to step up and you can see that he’s got a lot of confidence in himself and the skills,” said BYU coach Kalani Sitake when asked about standouts after one week of camp.

Kalani Sitake is speaking with the media right now.

Standouts from Saturday in full pads:

– RB’s Tyler Allgeier and Jackson McChesney
– Matt Bushman
– Freshman WR Kody Epps. #BYU @kslsports

— Matthew Baiamonte (@baiamontematt) August 10, 2020

The 5-foot-11, 180-pound Epps joined a BYU program that has openings at wide receiver. Upperclassmen are in the receiver room that have experience, but nothing is set in stone. Epps could be the impact receiver that BYU has been lacking in the Kalani Sitake era.

I asked BYU quarterback Zach Wilson about the progress of the wide receivers through one week of camp and like Sitake, Wilson had high praise for the former USA Today High School All-American.

“Kody Epps I would say is probably one of the biggest standouts in the newcomers,” Wilson said. “Just his understanding and feel of the game. Understanding where he is in progression, understanding taking his time or how to separate from a wide receiver or how to set a DB up. He’s been doing well. I would say Kody is going to keep progressing.”

#BYU QB Zach Wilson on standouts at WR through one week of camp: "I think Dax (Milne) and Neil (Pau'u) have looked really good … Kody Epps, I would say, is probably one of the biggest standouts in the newcomers."#BYUFootball @kslsports

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) August 10, 2020

Epps joins a BYU offense that was 26th nationally in passing yardage last season. With Wilson back at quarterback and guys like Neil Pau’u and Dax Milne returning, and then adding Epps, BYU’s passing attack could have the opportunity to take flight. Assuming, of course, there is a season actually played.

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.