Well, not really. No one really ever gets to see enough of BYU football practices these days with how truncated the observation periods have necessarily become. In total, the media has been allotted just under an hour of observations, which isn’t even a tenth of the total practice time the team has completed up to this point, leaving some, or even most assessments of the team’s progress lacking.

But still, as the Cougars approach nearly two weeks of practices several aspects of what this team will ultimately present this season have emerged during observations and through interviews with both players and coaches. At least from my perspective.

BYU will rely on what looks to be a formidable run game

I was impressed with what I saw from BYU’s rushing attack, and certainly from its offensive backfield during this past Tuesday’s open session. It was the first day the team practiced in full pads, and while the defense often rules the initial padded practice, it was the offense that came out on top for perhaps the first time so far during the fall practice session.

The play of practice was running back LJ Martin taking the football off-tackle and outrunning several would-be tacklers in the secondary for what would have been a 60-yard touchdown run. Martin has always looked the part since arriving in Provo as a true freshman for the 2023 season, but has truly transformed his physique and it should pay big dividends this season.

Needless to say, Martin is primed for a big year and will be relied on heavily by the Cougar offensive coaching staff.

Sione Moa also had his moments, including an adept cutback across the grain on an inside run that went for a big-gainer. Martin is great, sure, but BYU is going to establish quality depth at the position and Moa appears fully capable of providing a capable 1-2 punch out of the offensive backfield.

But from my perspective, the biggest development for the Cougar rushing attack is the play at the offensive tackle position.

I had some questions regarding the health status of both Isaiah Jatta and Andrew Gentry entering fall camp, but both have participated fully in every open practice session thus far. Jatta has seen every rep at left tackle with the first-team offense while Gentry has manned the right tackle spot, and both have looked very good while receiving praise throughout from coaches during interview sessions.

Jatta and Gentry should provide an upgrade in play from what BYU presented at tackle from last season, and particularly so in punching open holes in the run game.

The interior also looks solid and should be improved from a season ago, and the return of Weylin Lapuaho to the practices on Tuesday certainly aided the cause, but it’s the tackle position where I believe the offensive front will make the most strides this season.

Concerns on the other side of the football

Keanu Tanuvasa is living up to the hype. The Utah transfer defensive tackle has looked every bit of the part during practice sessions, embracing the leadership role thrust upon him while showing the same dominant play that, quite frankly, wrecked BYU’s offensive front last season.

Tanuvasa’s presence isn’t enough, though.

BYU defensive tackle coach Sione Po’uha has stated several times that he needs six capable defensive tackles in order to form a truly formidable defensive front, and you’ll forgive me for having trouble in coming up with six names that can do as much on BYU’s current roster.

I like the prospects of both John Taumoepeau, who provided solid play last season, along with Anisi Purcell looks capable after transferring in from Southern Utah.

So, that’s three guys. But with Oklahoma State Justin Kirkland currently not available due to injury I’m struggling to list the requisite six BYU needs in order to prove effective along the defensive interior, to put it bluntly.

I’ll have more on BYU’s defensive front later this week, but for now, establishing quality depth along BYU’s defensive interior is a potential problem. No, I’m not throwing in the towel with this group. Not even close, but a relatively weak defensive interior can become a big issue for an entire defense, as was the case during the 2023 season.

Hillstead is the leader in the clubhouse

The mantra from coaches is that the trio of McCae Hillstead, Treyson Bourguet and Bear Bachmeier are all neck-and-neck the quarterback battle. I believe that is likely how it was legitimately viewed at the outset of the fall practice session, although I believe Hillstead is set to emerge as the starter for the coming season.

Tuesday’s practice session saw the Utah State transfer and former Skyridge High School star outperform both Bourguet and Bachmeier with an impressive array of throws. Considering what Hillstead brings with regards to running the football, even if he’s even marginally behind Bourguet in delivering the football effectively in the throw game, then you probably still go with Hillstead as your starter.

As for Bachmeier, Tuesday’s open session showed that his curb may still be too steep to be named the starter out of fall camp, although he has absolutely impressed, all factors considered. I’ve maintained that Bachmeier winning the starting job out of fall camp isn’t a likely prospect, but we could see a scenario where he continues to develop and ends the season as BYU’s best option behind center. I’m still holding to that notion through almost two weeks of practices.

BYU will undergo its first scrimmage this Saturday, and a lot more clarity with regards to position and overall progress should emerge following that session. We’ll be certain to apprise you of any and every development soon thereafter.