Key freshmen returning, no mission plans

https://www.sltrib.com/sports/byu-cougars/2018/12/13/led-by-qb-zach-wilson/



It appears that none of the true freshmen who made significant impacts this season, on offense or defense, will leave on missions for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, passing game coordinator Aaron Roderick said Wednesday.



Holker and receiver Gunner Romney, who said when they signed last February that they were considering a mission after playing one season, both told The Salt Lake Tribune on Wednesday that they are returning to the program next year.

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Walk-on receiver Dax Milne, who had nine catches for 64 yards in nine games, said a few months ago that he is returning.

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The Cougars started six freshmen on offense against Hawaii, including offensive linemen Keanu Saleapaga, James Empey and Brady Christensen. The latter two started in all 12 games, while Saleapaga started in eight after moving over from defense in preseason camp.



Freshmen, including those who sat for a redshirt year, have accounted for 152 of BYU’s 305 total points (49.8 percent). In all, BYU has played 26 freshmen this season on offense, defense and special teams, including 17 true freshmen. Fourteen different freshmen have started, including five true freshmen.

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“The freshmen that are playing just earned the right to play. We weren’t really planning on it necessarily,” Roderick said. “All of us thought that Dallin Holker might have a chance to play this year, before the season. That is just one example. But most of those guys just earned a chance to play.”



BYU’s Impact Freshmen on Offense

• Quarterback Zach Wilson — Started last six games, has thrown for 1,261 yards and eight touchdowns



• Running back Lopini Katoa — Leads team in rushing with 412 yards and eight touchdowns



• Running back Tyler Allgeier — Played in three games, called a future star by RBs coach AJ Steward



• Tight end Dallin Holker — Eighteen catches for 215 yards, one touchdown



• Left guard Keanu Saleapaga — Started against Wisconsin and in seven other games after moving from defense



• Left tackle Brady Christensen — Started every game, ranked the No. 2 freshman tackle by Pro Football Focus



• Center James Empey — Started every game, ranked the No. 1 freshman center by Pro Football Focus



• Receiver Gunner Romney — Hampered by hamstring injuries, but caught 13 passes for 162 yards, two TDs



• Receiver Dax Milne — Nine catches for 64 yards in nine games



* Kicker Skyler Southam — Made 11 of 16 field goal attempts, season long of 47 yards, 35 of 37 PATs

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Turns out this has changed. Holker will be away for a mission now. Good thing the team is deep at TE.

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Not sure how much this guy will play as it sounds like he hasn't played the last couple years while playing basketball but has good size.

Good decision by Dallin. He will always remember his time spent as a missionary in the service of others.

Holker probably looked around, realized he would be fighting for time with Bushman for the next two years, and that a mission would give him an opportunity to come back with a clearer path to more playing time and have a better idea of the direction of the programs to determine if he wants to give USU or CSU a longer look in two years.

snoscythe wrote:

Holker probably looked around, realized he would be fighting for time with Bushman for the next two years, and that a mission would give him an opportunity to come back with a clearer path to more playing time and have a better idea of the direction of the programs to determine if he wants to give USU or CSU a longer look in two years.

No room for the spirit's prompting and a desire to serve?

BoiseBYU wrote:

Holker probably looked around, realized he would be fighting for time with Bushman for the next two years, and that a mission would give him an opportunity to come back with a clearer path to more playing time and have a better idea of the direction of the programs to determine if he wants to give USU or CSU a longer look in two years.

No room for the spirit's prompting and a desire to serve?

Didn't say that at all.



Sometimes worldly circumstances and considerations in our lives open our hearts to what the Spirit was prompting all along.



A lot of the "right" choices I make are made a lot easier by non-spiritual considerations.

snoscythe wrote:

snoscythe wrote:

Holker probably looked around, realized he would be fighting for time with Bushman for the next two years, and that a mission would give him an opportunity to come back with a clearer path to more playing time and have a better idea of the direction of the programs to determine if he wants to give USU or CSU a longer look in two years.

No room for the spirit's prompting and a desire to serve?

Didn't say that at all.



Sometimes worldly circumstances and considerations in our lives open our hearts to what the Spirit was prompting all along.



A lot of the "right" choices I make are made a lot easier by non-spiritual considerations.

Totally True. See David and Goliath.



1 Samuel 17



v. 1-10: Here comes Goliath. Challenges Israel. He's tall.

v. 11-15: Saul and Israel are worried. David's 3 older brothers go to fight. David isn't interested and goes home to take care of the sheep.

v. 16: Goliath is talking smack for 40 days. David still taking care of sheep.

v. 17-24: Jesse tells David to take food and supplies to his brothers and the troops and see how things are going.

25: David hears that whoever kills Goliath gets rich, the King's Daughter, and his family will live tax free.

26 and onward: David is in!!!!

snoscythe wrote:

snoscythe wrote:

Holker probably looked around, realized he would be fighting for time with Bushman for the next two years, and that a mission would give him an opportunity to come back with a clearer path to more playing time and have a better idea of the direction of the programs to determine if he wants to give USU or CSU a longer look in two years.

No room for the spirit's prompting and a desire to serve?

Didn't say that at all.



Sometimes worldly circumstances and considerations in our lives open our hearts to what the Spirit was prompting all along.



A lot of the "right" choices I make are made a lot easier by non-spiritual considerations.

Fair enough and well stated. Sometimes worldly circumstances align with or at least open doors to spiritual endeavors and promptings. I agree with that. Sometimes it is different too, though--sometimes it is the spirit that prompts one to act in spite of the world.