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One objective to begin the second Robert Anae era at BYU seems abundantly clear: fix the offensive line.
In 2012, while the quarterback got all the attention, the Cougar offense struggled mainly because of an impotent offensive line. Too many sacks, combined with a lack of pass protection and an inability to consistently run block (and injuries, too) plagued the BYU offense.
Anae, who won a national championship at BYU as an offensive lineman, has coached the O-Line at Boise State, UNLV, Texas Tech, and Arizona. And now, he has made quick work of providing depth to a unit in need of much improvement.
First came the unexpected shift from coveted four-star high school recruit Brayden Kearsley (6'4" 298). After initially committing to BYU, it seemed he was gravitating toward a commitment to Oregon State. Then OMG THAT'S ROBERT ANAE'S MUSIC!!! Kearsley told current BYU players on Instagram he was coming to BYU, then two days later, BYU recruiting maven Talo Steves reported Kearsley would be in BYU blue come September.
Hopefully it holds: Kearsley is set to announce his decision later today.
Anae hasn't wasted time waiting for Kearsley, however, and has hit the JC ranks. On January 19, BYU received a commitment from Eastern Arizona lineman Josh Carter (6'5" 290). Steves has Carter's commitment story. Carter will compete for a spot at center or right tackle.
A few days later, Anae and company garnered the commitment of Quincy Awa-Dubose (6'3" 305) who has played center at Moorpark Junior College. So far, news of his commitment has come from Gurney, who tweeted this on Tuesday:
I can confirm that BYU received a commit from this guy hudl.com/athlete/838690…
— Brandon Gurney (@BrandonCGurney) January 22, 2013
Awa-Dubose is listed as a 2010 graduate, but I can confirm he's committed to sign in 2013...trying to learn more about his situation
— Brandon Gurney (@BrandonCGurney) January 22, 2013
Dubose went to Moorpark JC, apparently...sorry, learning about this kid as I go...will try and reach him for more info at a decent hour
— Brandon Gurney (@BrandonCGurney) January 22, 2013
As if that wasn't enough, it now seems BYU is in play for current TCU commit Lloyd Tunstill (6'3" 330) who has played guard and tackle at College of the Canyons. Sound familiar? That's because Tunstill's head coach at CoC, Garret Tujague, was recently hired to coach the offensive line at BYU. On Tuesday, Tunstill discussed his visit with BYU coaches with teammate Sam Lee (a BYU commit):
Dang 2J and Coach Anae and Coach Mendenhall are all class acts. Gave me alot to think about.
— Lloyd Tunstill (@Tunstill77) January 22, 2013
@samthamanlee yeah man it was different at first because 2J was more of an assistant but coach Anae is gonna turn that offense around!!!
— Lloyd Tunstill (@Tunstill77) January 22, 2013
@samthamanlee playing right tackle for them, coach Mendenhall is hungry for that natty. He sounded like won't stop till he gets it either
— Lloyd Tunstill (@Tunstill77) January 22, 2013
@samthamanlee man i think ppl make so many unfair judgments of BYU today gave me a different view . I gotta talk with my fam & go from there
— Lloyd Tunstill (@Tunstill77) January 22, 2013
@tunstill77 Wherever you go I know you will ball out. I know you will make the right decision. It would be fun to be roommates at Byu tho.
— Sam tha man (@SamThaManLee) January 22, 2013
(I can't wait to see Sam Lee suit up in Cougar blue. Just me?)
Whatever the final outcome, it's clear Bronco, Anae and company have made it a priority, as they should, to improve the offensive line immediately. Between Kearsley and possibly three JC transfers, it looks like it will happen.