What are BYU’s 5 most pressing needs going into fall camp?

BYU’s second year in the Big 12 is now underway.

The Cougars open fall camp this week as they ready for a brutal schedule. Even without Texas and Oklahoma on the docket, BYU’s strength of schedule ranks in the top four in the league. That is on top of non-conference games against SMU and Wyoming on the road.

Here are five storylines to watch for as camp gets going.

The quarterback question

It’s been a few years since BYU went into a fall camp not knowing who its starting quarterback was. Back in 2021, Jaren Hall and Baylor Romney were battling to see who’d replace Zach Wilson. Hall came out as the starter and ended up being a fifth-round pick to the Minnesota Vikings.

This time around, the first-team reps will be split up between Jake Retzlaff and Gerry Bohanon. Retzlaff started the final four games of last season after starter Kedon Slovis was injured. Bohanon sat out all of 2023 with a torn labrum at South Florida.

While Bohanon and Retzlaff will split reps evenly, Retzlaff still has the edge to win the job. He showed flashes of being a quality starter last year. He pushed the ball downfield and has the ability to pick up first downs with his legs.

It’s the catastrophic mistakes that he needs to cut down on. Retzlaff threw for three touchdowns but also three interceptions. One of the turnovers was a 99-yard, pick-six he threw against Oklahoma to lose the game. Taking better care of the ball has been the point of emphasis this offseason. He accomplished that goal in spring.

The one curveball to look for in this QB battle is the type of shape Bohanon is in. In spring, the veteran wasn’t fully healed from his shoulder injury. He also didn’t have a full command over the offense.

As a result, there were times when Bohanon didn’t look sharp in his spring reps. But how much of that was due to his health, and how much of that was an indication he wasn’t good enough?

That’s what the first part of fall camp will be dedicated to figuring out. If Bohanon comes back healthy and looking finely tuned, it’s possible the quarterback battle could drag on. He will need to show that quickly.

The first week of fall will say plenty about where the quarterback situation stands.

Jay Hill’s pass rush

BYU’s defense undoubtedly looked better under first-year coordinator Jay Hill. It was hard for it to look worse after the unit bottomed out in 2022. Head coach Kalani Sitake had to assume play calling duties.

But that doesn’t mean the defense was perfect. The Cougars still finished with the 122th defense in the country, according to Pro Football Focus. It had the worst pass rush in the Power Four.

So what changes?

Hill could start rushing different players from the second level if the defensive line can’t get it done. Hill signed Weber State transfer Jack Kelly, who can get after the passer, recording 10 sacks a year ago. He is listed as a linebacker but could play on the edge or be in a hybrid role. Does Hill use more three-man fronts to allow for some more pass rush creativity from the linebackers?

The defensive line will also need to improve. BYU isn’t making many changes to that unit with, Tyler Batty and Isaiah Bagnah returning as starters. If they don’t improve, it will be hard to see how the pass rush gets better (no matter how they use players like Kelly).

RB up in the air

BYU elected not to go after a running back in the transfer portal this offseason. It means that the starting running back will be one of LJ Martin, Miles Davis or Hinckley Ropati.

Davis fell out of the rotation last year. Ropati sat out the season with a torn ACL in fall camp. Martin is heading into his second year in the program.

Truthfully, the running back battle is secondary compared to the need for better offensive line play. It won’t matter who will carry the ball if the blocking is the same as last year. BYU was the worst rushing attack in the Big 12. It ranked 88th in the country in run blocking, according to PFF.

Fall camp will be the final chance for new offensive line coach TJ Woods to put a stamp on the run game before the season begins. He is inserting more rules into the run game. The returning linemen believe it will improve results up front.

Secondary returner, and a few new face

Micah Harper tore his ACL in fall camp and had to sit out of Hill’s first-year defense. It was a major setback for a unit that was relying on Harper being one of its better playmakers.

But Harper comes back to a secondary that has added some younger playmakers. Tommy Prassas was the standout of spring camp. Faletau Satuala is the recruiting gem from Hill’s recent class. It will be a storyline of camp to see who earns snaps back there. It is possible Harper moves from safety to nickel and allows some more competition on the backline.

Plus, BYU does have some returners in the secondary that filled in for Harper’s absence at safety. Tanner Wall, Ethan Slade and Talan Alfrey are heading into camp hoping to return to starting roles — or at least some snaps.

A new playmaker at receiver

Cody Hagen is back from a mission this year. The receiving core is strong already, but there is always one young playmaker that stands out in fall camp. One year it was Parker Kingston. Another year it was Dom Henry.

Could Hagen become that weapon this year? His high school track record from Corner Canyon is impeccable. BYU coaches will get their first real look at Hagen this month.

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