BYU football analyst targets specific area of concern ahead of fall camp

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One year ago, as BYU reported to fall camp, the question permeating through practice was all about the starting quarterback. Returning starter Jake Retzlaff was gone, true freshman Bear Bachmeier had just arrived, and veterans McCae Hillstead and Treyson Bourguet figured to be the leading contenders for the job. As things turned out, Bachmeier beat them out and then went out and defeated 12 of BYU’s 14 opponents.

This August, as the Cougars report again, the drama has shifted away from the quarterback and squarely onto Bachmeier’s targets.

“I think it comes down to the wide receivers. Everybody knows that is the position that BYU has got all their eyeballs on as far as who is the next guy up. Who is going to emerge as the dude, the stud,” former Cougar and BYUtv football analyst David Nixon told the “Y’s Guys” livestream show this week. “You have got to have a go-to receiver. I wouldn’t say there is a go-to guy. I don’t think anybody has emerged as the play maker — a Puka Nacua or Chase Roberts-type guy. To me, that’s what fall camp is all for.”

JoJo Phillips, Oregon transfer Kyler Kasper and freshman Legend Glasker are expected to lead the way with added help from the two new tight ends — Roger Saleapaga II (Oregon) and Walker Lyons (USC).

Nixon, a former BYU standout at linebacker, is calling on the defense to help bring the receivers along — and quickly.

“If I’m a defensive back, frankly, if I’m a linebacker, I’m doing everything possible to make sure those guys are going 100% and giving (receivers coach) Fesi Sitake and the rest of this offensive staff a good look at who are the dudes and ‘can I depend on these guys when it comes down to crunch time and when I need a big play?’” Nixon said. “Who is that guy that is going to emerge?”

Outside of the receivers’ room, Nixon sees few questions that haven’t already been answered ahead of BYU’s fourth season in the Big 12.

“I don’t see another problem. I don’t see any issues with this entire roster,” he said. “I can’t remember the last time when I’ve been able to say that — going into a season and say we feel good at every single position group except for one, and that’s wide receiver. I can’t remember the last time we could say that.”

The first official practice is Wednesday. The Cougars have a month to secure Bachmeier’s targets before opening the season against Utah Tech on Sept. 5 (6 p.m. MDT, ESPN+) at LaVell Edwards Stadium.

Dave McCann is a sportswriter and columnist for the Deseret News and is a play-by-play announcer and show host for BYUtv/ESPN+. He co-hosts “Y’s Guys” at ysguys.com and is the author of the children’s book “C is for Cougar,” available at deseretbook.com.

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