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As Fall Camp wraps up and Arizona game prep begins, the depth chart is shaping up before BYU heads to the desert.
Here are the takeaways from Wednesday’s practice:
Skyler Southam named starting kicker
BYU has officially named a starting kicker as true freshman Skyler Southam has locked down kicking duties, according to Kalani Sitake.
According to Kalani Sitake, former high school All-American kicker Skyler Southam has nailed down the starting place-kicking job. #BYU #BYUfootball
— Yawk Talk (@JacobCHatch) August 22, 2018
A high school All-American during his senior year in 2016, Southam was the odds-on favorite after returning home from his mission. Southam set several state records during his high school career at Wasatch, including the records for both single season and career field goals made. Southam made 20 field goals and 33 PATs for a total of 93 points during his senior season. His career long field goal was 53 yards and he hit 70 percent of the field goals he attempted in his high school career.
Southam nailed a 47-yard scrimmage during BYU’s August 16 scrimmage, and he showed off his leg earlier this year with a 60-yard field goal.
BYU fans may be getting flashbacks to former kicker Justin Sorensen, who had similar accolades coming out of high school, but Southam has thus far avoided the unfortunate injuries that plagued Sorensen. Here’s to hoping Southam can cure BYU’s kicking woes and be a weapon on special teams.
Coaches “really close” to naming a starting QB
Aaron Roderick and Kalani Sitake both reiterated that they are close to naming a starting QB.
BYU QBs coach Aaron Roderick on naming a starter: "We are really close. I mean, [we are] just about there. Coach Grimes and Kalani and I will decide soon. We are close."
— Jay Drew (@drewjay) August 22, 2018
Kalani went into more detail in this video from Jay Drew:
BYU coach Kalani Sitake said he’s close to naming a starting quarterback, but isn’t ready quite yet pic.twitter.com/7ETu2D8lTH
— Jay Drew (@drewjay) August 22, 2018
Other News and Notes:
- WR Akile Davis had a couple nice TD catches from Tanner Mangum and Zach Wilson during the media viewing portion:
Was it déjà vu, or just the Akile Davis show at #BYU practice? The junior WR caught two touchdowns during two-minute drills today. @kslsports #BYUFootball pic.twitter.com/o6XHnVXMCN
— Zak Hicken (@zakhicken) August 22, 2018
- Aussie Punter and senior Rhett Almond have yet to separate themselves in the race for starting punter.
Punt game still in need of work. Neither Rhett Almond or Danny Jones had a great kick in the portion of practice the media watched. You could hear audible frustration about it. Backup DB Jared Kapisi also kicked & wasn’t particularly good either. #BYU #BYUfootball
— Yawk Talk (@JacobCHatch) August 22, 2018
- As you would hope, the first string defensive line got the best of the second team offensive line.
The first string defensive line feasted on #BYU’s second string O-line during the media portion of practice. First string O-line did fairly well outside of the communication breakdown sack. #BYUfootball
— Yawk Talk (@JacobCHatch) August 22, 2018
- Freshman QB Baylor Romney, brother of WR Gunner, has been turning heads with his play. He was a Nevada commit prior to his misson.
I asked #BYU QB coach Aaron "A-Rod" Roderick about freshman QB Jaren Hall, and got this nugget about Baylor Romney. He's turning heads, folks. pic.twitter.com/akoFY52kzo
— Sean Walker (@RealDSean) August 22, 2018