The numbers are pretty clear:

• 2021: 17th in total offense (452.6 yards per game) and 29th in scoring (33.1 points per game)
• 2022: 35th in total offense (426.3 ypg) and 43rd in scoring (31.3 ppg)
• 2023: 118th in total offense (309.8 ypg) and 99th in scoring (23.1 ppg)

That trend has to change if the Cougars want to get back to winning more consistently, but Roderick believes BYU has the pieces it needs to do that in 2024.

“I think we have solid depth at every position,” Roderick said last week. “We don’t have a Puka Nacua but we have solid depth across the board. We have depth at tight end, depth at receiver, depth at running back, depth at quarterback and I feel good about our offensive line depth.”

He singled out the group of guys up front, saying that he was nervous about it heading into last season but feels that even losing Kingsley Suamataia to being drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs, he’s more confident heading toward fall camp.

“I think in good shape right now,” Roderick said. “All those guys have improved a lot.”

He admitted that he “underestimated” how long it would take for the offensive line to come together and play well as a unit.

“We had a lot of new guys,” Roderick said. “Now I feel like even though we’re playing with a lot of the same guys we played with last year, our execution is going to be a lot better because just playing together is huge, especially at o-line. It’s a big deal.”

He said that having experience was the biggest difference between the teams that were consistently good on offense in years past and the struggles in 2023, particularly in the trenches.

“When we had a pretty good run there for three years, it felt like the same o-line three years in a row.” Roderick said. “There was a change here and there, but it was like eight or nine returning starters each year with three or four returning offensive lineman each year. The continuity wasn’t there last year and I underestimated how long it would take us to really play as a group. I think this year we’re going to be better in that regard.”

Roderick also feels the addition of TJ Woods as offensive line coach and run game coordinator is paying dividends.

“I’ve seen improvement in the players,” Roderick said. “That’s what I look for. I see improvement on the field and I hear TJ’s voice on the field. He has a big presence out there and I appreciate that.”

On the flip side is the uncertainty at quarterback for BYU, since junior Jake Retzlaff had only four up-and-down performances last fall and senior Gerry Bohanon has yet to play a down in a Cougar uniform.

But Roderick liked the progress he saw in spring and feels good about having multiple guys who can take the helm if needed.

“It’s a myth to say you can ever have too many quarterbacks,” Roderick said. “We are going to keep trying to stack that room every year with the best guys we can get. the cream rises to the top and I believe competition brings out the best in everyone. And there will only be 15 or 20 teams in the whole country who make it through the whole season with one QB, so you need guys who are ready to play.”

He did note that while a lot can change, BYU currently has a senior with one year to play (Bohanon) and junior with two years left (Retzlaff), a sophomore with three years left in Treyson Bourquet, a sophomore with four years to play three in McCae Hillstead and a freshman with his “full clock” in Noah Lugo with a few others in the mix as well.

“You never know how it’s going to play out, but it’s spaced out in such a way for everyone to have a chance,” Roderick said. “There’s always a chance that quarterbacks will leave so you have to you have to stay prepared.”