WHAT TO WATCH

1. The secondary

BYU goes from four walk-on starters in 2007 to three or four new starters in 2008. There's a good group of young, untested cornerbacks, led by redshirt freshman G Pittman and sophomore Brandon Bradley. Andrew Rich, a JC safety from Snow College who reportedly turned down several D-I offers to walk-on at BYU, has been impressive in pre-season workouts. Jaime Hill's work as secondary coach has been exemplary the past two seasons and there's no reason to think that won't continue.

2. Leadership

Last year's team had several strong personalities, guys like Bryan Kehl, Kelly Poppinga and Ben Criddle. But they've graduated, leaving opportunities for others to step up. Senior linebacker David Nixon will be expected to lead, as well as junior defensive end Jan Jorgensen. There's no doubt the offense belongs to quarterback Max Hall, who has a very strong personality.

3. The kicking game

Don't hand the kicking job to incoming freshman sensation Justin Sorensen just yet. If Mitch Payne can get healthy and have a good spring, that will give him a leg up on Sorensen. Payne's biggest weakness was length on kickoffs and field goals, but he should get stronger as he heals.

4. The rules change

The biggest one is the new 40-second play clock, which officials start as soon as the last play is over. It will require a little bit of an adjustment by the BYU offense, which rarely huddled. This is something the Cougars can work in during the spring.

5. The offensive line

After getting badly outplayed against UCLA, the line showed it still has work to do to be BCS-worthy. Now in his second year, offensive line coach Mark Weber has four starters returning. Sete Aulai is gone at center, but it appears Tom Sorensen is ready to step into that role. Because of injuries to this group, team scrimmage will be limited during spring.

Who to watch

1. Matt Reynolds, Fr. OL

He's the most physically gifted Reynolds brother and he's had a redshirt year to clean out the mission cobwebs. One way the offensive line gets better is competition for positions, and Reynolds should be able to make a run at somebody.

2. G Pittman, Fr. CB

Pittman earned a special teams spot as a true freshman but an injury at UCLA knocked him out. He redshirted, so he has four years to play four. BYU said goodbye to two starting corners and the position is wide open.

3. Brandon Bradley, So. CB

It's been two seasons since Bradley wowed teammates at preseason workouts, and two seasons to recover from injury. If he's going to make a play to be a full-time contributor, now's the time.

4. Andrew Rich, Jr. S

Already impressing teammates in winter workouts, Rich is a walk-on in name only. BYU would have given him a scholarship if they'd had one, and he still may get one when things shake down.

5. Vic So'oto Jr. LB

He's moved from tight end to linebacker, and now has a chance to really show that nasty streak we've always heard about.

Who's back?

BYU returns 13 starters from 2007 and both kickers for spring football.

QB Max Hall

RB Harvey Unga

TE Dennis Pitta

WR Michael Reed

WR Austin Collie

OL Dallas Reynolds

OL Travis Bright (injured)

OL Ray Feinga

OL David Oswald

DEFENSE (4)

DE Jan Jorgensen

DE Ian Dulan

LB David Nixon

S Kellen Fowler

KICKERS (2)

K Mitch Payne

P C.J. Santiago

• What's the same: For the first time since he took over the program, BYU head coach Bronco Mendenhall returns to spring ball with his coaching staff intact.

• What's different: The dynamic personalities on defense -- Bryan Kehl, Kelly Poppinga and Ben Criddle -- have graduated and the secondary will have at least three new starters.