Darnell Dickson

Daily Herald

Sometimes a change in perspective can make a big difference.

That's exactly what BYU quarterback Max Hall is hoping for.

Forced by the NCAA to sit out last season, Hall spent his practice time running the scout team. On game day, he sat next to quarterbacks coach Brandon Doman in the press box at LaVell Edwards Stadium, watching the game from a bird's eye view.

Consider him Doman's work shadow.

"You can really see the game plan working up there," Hall said. "You could see how John (Beck) went about things. I got to listen to what Coach Doman was saying over the phone to John and what they talked about. It was a good experience."

Hall is one of six quarterbacks in spring camp for BYU. Hall and junior college transfer Cade Cooper are the only quarterbacks to see reps during team drills so far. Another junior college transfer, Brenden Gaskins, is considered the No. 3 quarterback so far. Redshirt freshman Sam Doman and walk-ons Mangum Parker and Kurt McEuen are also in camp. In the fall, Washington prep standout Jason Munns joins the group.

"These guys have pleasantly surprised me," Doman said of his quarterback group. "There's a lot of work to do because they are young. Sam and Max are doing well and Brenden is very technically sound. With each one of them there's little things we're trying to fix."

As starter may not be named until fall camp, but Hall understands the mantle of being a BYU quarterback -- especially following one as successful as Beck.

"The biggest thing was just watching John go through it last year," Hall said. "You're going to be praised when you win and when you lose people are going to say things. I've got to keep my composure and just try to get better every day.

"I want to be able to execute the offense on every single play, not make the same mistake twice and move the ball down the field."

Doman had two senior quarterbacks to work with last season. This spring, none of his six quarterbacks have taken a snap in a Division I game.

"I've really been spoiled the past two years with John and Jason (Beck)," Doman said. "But I'm really happy with the progress these guys are making. So far (three practices) they aren't turning the ball over and that's a big emphasis. Our football team cannot afford to have a young quarterback come in and turn the ball over.

"Max has a really good grip on the offense and understands the game. And Cade is progressing well, too."

At some point, Doman, offensive coordinator Robert Anae and head coach Bronco Mendenhall will have to decide on a starter. It could happen at the end of spring, or it might not happen until the week before the opener against Arizona.

"Every offense is based on scoring points," Doman said. "In practice we never stand in place and run the same play over and over. We're always moving, trying to get first downs and get in the end zone. The one who does that will be our guy.

"Both guys (Hall and Cooper) have shown they are capable. This might be a longer battle than we expected."

Anxious to hit: BYU has yet to go with full pads during spring practice, but the defense took some shots at the offense on Thursday. Senior safety Quinn Gooch drilled sophomore tight end Andrew George on a crossing route and George spent a couple of minutes on the turf. He later returned. Senior cornerback Andre Saulsberry popped junior running back Manase Tonga a good one and senior safety David Tafuna rocked freshman fullback Inoke Hafoka on a pass reception.

Team drills were cut short at the end of practice after a scuffle in the end zone.

Quarterback watch: During the final team drills of the day, Hall completed 11 of 14 passes for 54 yards. That included eight throws from the 5-yard line when the No. 1 offense reached the blue zone. Hall completed two short passes to senior receiver Bryce Mahuika that might have been scores (coaches blew the whistle early on both) and dropped a fade pattern into sophomore Austin Collie's hands in the left corner of the end zone on the next play.

Cooper was 7 of 12 for 55 yards with the No. 2 offense. Pass completions to Ryan Neeley (15 yards), Kozlowski (11 yards) and sophomore Daniel Tervort (15 yards) got the No. 2 offense in scoring position, but the pass rush of freshman Jaden Wager and Corby Hodgkiss on consecutive plays kept the offense out of the end zone.

Position changes: As is the norm during spring, several players have switched positions to show the coaches other skills. Nate Hutchinson, a 6-foot-3, 187-pound sophomore from St. George, has switched from cornerback to wide receiver. Freshman Tyler Kozlowski (5-10 178) from Wildwood, Ill., has also switched from defensive back to receiver. Former Lone Peak standout Zed Mendenhall (5-11 225) has moved from linebacker to running back.

Daily Herald Sports Editor Darnell Dickson can be reached at 344-2555 or by e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it Read his spring football blog at blogs.heraldextra.com/Darnell

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