Jaren Wilkey/BYU Photo

“Team chemistry” is a common buzzword in college football that has taken on new meaning in the current climate of the transfer portal and NIL discussions.

When you are, say, a BYU football program that has turned over nearly half of its roster from the 2022 season, how well can develop bonding moment for your team during spring?

One example of that team chemistry played out during media interview’s after Wednesday’s practice. Wide receiver Kody Epps and safety Micah Harper seemed pretty dialed in, riffing on their favorite stories about each other. They talked about taking the same classes, interacting with professors and some of Epps’ best impressions of BYU coaches and teachers.

Epps and Harper entertained the media on a variety of topics and seemed relaxed and confident in their part in creating good team chemistry.

Seriously, they should go on the road with that act.

“Every day is kind of a team-building activity,” Epps said. “For the people that don’t know, half the classes that I have are with the guys. When we’re in the locker room, we’re all together playing ping pong and things like that. We haven’t done anything outside of football that the coaches have put together yet. Shout out to Hungry Hawaiian in Provo. They always hook it up for us. We go down there and spend some time together and get some good food.”

Both Epps and Harper were once new to the program so they understand what it takes to bring the team together, along with the new defensive coaching staff.

“It’s pretty seamless right now,” Epps said. “Our newer coaches have come and really integrated themselves with the players, whether that’s in meetings and all that type of stuff. They’ve done a really good job of making sure we know as players that they have trust in us and we have trust in them from the jump.

“Then with the players, as a team we’re jelling there automatically. You don’t really even have to think about it so it’s been pretty good with all the guys coming around and spending so much time together. So it’s happening pretty well.”

Epps, who is recovering from surgery after a foot injury during the season, can also act as mentor to younger or newer teammates.

“You have guys like Hobbs (Nyberg) and some of the guys that are kind of breaking in and getting more reps during the spring,” Epps said. “It’s frustrating sometimes when I’m not able to practice but at the same time it’s fun to be able to watch them grow within the offense without the pressure of the season. We’re in spring ball right now so we’re all having fun, we’re all learning football.

“I’m watching Hobbs, Dom (Dominique McKenzie), Parker (Kingston), Devin Downing, Koa Eldredge, all those guys groom and learn the offense at a rapid pace and be able to make plays.”

BYU head coach Kalani Sitake said he felt like the coaching staff has a good handle on the kind of chemistry this team is building.

“It’s a big part of what we do,” Sitake said. “It’s just about communication and you can get a good feel for it. But it’s not only my job. We have a great support staff and coaching staff, working together as a collaborative effort. I think we can pretty much get it all covered.”

Newsletter