Charge.

Clear!

We have a heartbeat!

Inside Darnell’s Head has been resuscitated for the BYU 2024 football season.

Well, maybe nothing as dramatic as that. The column was just on hiatus, not flatlined.

I know you missed it. I also know my family is glad I’m writing this column again so I will stop trying out my jokes on them.

Here’s what’s going on inside Darnell’s head as I watch my 12,000th hour of the Paris Olympics. We have a recently returned missionary in our ward who is the spitting image of U.S. gymnast Stephen Nedoroscik, Harry Potter glasses and everything. I taught him in Primary back in the day. Not Stephen. Eric. He was a brat. That’s the truth.

A no-brainer

If the new BYU Medical School isn’t named “The Russell M. Nelson Medical School,” what are we even doing?

What are you really trying to say?

When I do Ben Criddle’s radio show (shameless plug for Cougar Sports on ESPN 960, weekdays 3-7 p.m.) there is a segment we call, “Reading Between the Lines” where we play an interview and discuss what was said and what was not said.

Reading between the lines is really what all of us media types do at BYU football practice during fall camp. We get to watch 20-25 minutes at the end of practice a couple of times a week and then do interviews where we hear the most positive aspects of what took place.

Drawing conclusions from such little access is a real challenge.

I’m actually a pretty good guesser. Ask our neighbors the Klemetsons (Glenn and Jen), who we’ve had some great battles with this past year on game nights.

I’m no pushover.

With that in mind, I present a fall camp edition of Perfectly Rational Overreactions (PRO’s).

PRO No. 1: BYU is in big trouble without a starting quarterback returning.

It used to be unusual for a college football team to have four players competing for the quarterback spot who all have starting experience, but that’s more common now that we’ve embraced the transfer portal and NIL. All four signal callers at the top of the Cougar depth chart are transfers AND have started regular season college football games. It will likely come down to Jake Retzlaff and Gerry Bohanon. The coaches are saying that someone will emerge as the clear choice, but I’m not so sure about that.

Both Retzlaff and Bohanon can make a compelling case for being the starter.

Retzlaff went through the fire of four starts in Big 12 play last year and nearly pulled off upsets of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State. He’s much more comfortable in the offense and has a moxie that can’t be ignored.

Bohanon led Baylor to a Big 12 championship a couple of years ago, is fully healthy and has big-time athleticism.

I think the coaches will make Bohanon will be the starter because they are intrigued with his explosiveness and the stress that can put on a defense. They know what they’ve got with Retzlaff and that makes him a good choice for the backup should the need arise.

I also think the decision will be very, very close and will keep offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick and head coach Kalani Sitake up at night.

PRO No. 2: The Cougars will never overcome the loss of playmaking linebacker Ben Bywater.

It’s a tough break for Bywater, who suffered nerve damage in his shoulder last season and will have to give up his final year of eligibility. I think BYU is actually in pretty good shape to absorb the loss, though. Bywater hasn’t played or practiced much since going out against Kansas last year in Game 4 so it’s been almost a year since he’s been an integral part of the linebacker corps. The Cougars went out and got Weber State’s Jack Kelly, who has gotten rave reviews. A large group of youngsters, who were forced into action last season due to injuries, are a year older and another year in Jay Hill’s defense is key. Guys like Siale Esera, Isaiah Glasker, Harrison Taggart, the Kaufusis (Ace and Maika) and the Moas (Sione and Aisea), as well as UCLA transfer Choe Bryant-Strother, are ready for their moment. While Bywater would have made BYU better, I think the Cougars are going to be fine.

PRO No. 3: BYU has hard schedule and won’t be able to win more than four games this year.

Yes, the schedule is difficult, but no more so than anybody else in the Big 12. Remember, schedule difficulty is based on what teams MIGHT do in 2024. Who really knows? If the Cougars go 3-0 against Southern Illinois, SMU and Wyoming to start the season, they’ll have a good shot at making a bowl game. Winning in the Big 12 is difficult (pay attention, Utes) and more often than not you are going to be in a game that comes down to the wire. BYU had too many blowout losses last season and I really think they’ll be competitive in every game in 2024. Finding a way to win some of those close games will determine its postseason fate.

Finally, PRO No. 4: BYU didn’t make enough changes in the offseason and will struggle in 2024.

Last year, the Cougars brought in more than 60 new players between the transfer portal, returned missionaries and the recruiting class. This year, it’s way more than half of that number. Sure, BYU coaches could have gone out and raided the transfer portal but they’ve decided to run in back with the guys who battled through last season. That shows a belief in their ability to evaluate talent and develop those players. It shows a belief in those players to work and get better. Remember, the BYU basketball team was successful last season largely because they had so much experience together, which led to a cohesive group. Cougar football is headed for a similar outcome.

Don’t forget about new offensive line coach T.J. Woods and new tight ends coach Kevin Gilbride Jr. Those guys are making a huge difference as well.

Who Carried the Boats and the Logs?

This item stems from an interaction with former Cougar linebacker Kyle Van Noy and I just really liked the visualization. It’s pretty early to declare anyone dominating Fall Camp so far, but give it up for sophomore running back L.J. Martin. Amidst media reports that his spring injury hadn’t healed and he was in danger of missing the first part of the season, Martin did a general interview on Friday indicating he was fine and ready to play. Martin is a shy, quiet dude and doesn’t enjoy interviews but did the right thing in stepping up to the mic.

New world problems

Sometimes I get a text from someone, read it and respond immediately. Then I don’t hear back from that person for hours. What did you do after you sent the text? Drop the phone and run away?

Finally, stand up and salute Oklahoma quarterback General Booty, Florida International tight end Rowdy Beers and SMU left guard King Large. We’re less than a month away from the actual start of college football season and we’re all here for it.

Have a terrific week.