BYU OL Brad Wilcox ruled ineligible for 2016 football season

We already knew that BYU will be without senior offensive lineman, Brad Wilcox, when they kick off the 2016 season versus Arizona on Saturday, but now it appears that the Cougars will be without one of their most experienced linemen for the entirety of the 2016 season.

In an interview with BYU Sports Nation hosts, Jarom Jordan and Spencer Linton, offensive line coach, Mike Empey, revealed that Wilcox will not have eligibility for the season due to some academic challenges he was unable to overcome.

Wilcox was projected to be a starter for BYU this season. He started 12 games for the Cougars last season and has played in 39 games for the Cougars over his career. He was also named to Phil Steele’s Postseason All-Independent Second Team.

Wilcox has not been with the team for the entirety of Fall camp, but his absence this season (and the absence of senior OL Kyle Johnson, whose return date is unknown due to lingering injury issues) definitely leaves a hole BYU will need to fill. The Cougars will have to rely on a much less experienced offensive line group than was originally expected.

Fortunately for the Cougars, Empey seems happy with the progress of some of the new faces among the offensive line group. Andrew Eide, a transfer from SUU, seems to be the guy that has stepped up to fill the vacant starting tackle spot left by Wilcox. Sophomore’s JJ Nwigwe and Austin Hoyt could also see some time there.