Latest updates on the RB position

Obviously the biggest need left for the off-season is at RB. With the February 6 signing day quickly approaching we know coaches are chasing RBs on 2 fronts:

Transfers

- Emmanuel Esukpa - Graduate transfer from Rice, BYU RB coach AJ Steward was his RB coach at Rice, BYU is considered a favorite to land him. Would play in 2019.

- Amir Rasul - Florida State transfer, has redshirt available for his transfer year of 2019, eligible to play as a senior in 2020. BYU's Steward has been known to have reached out.



2019 Class

- Thomas Grayson (Tulsa, OK) - Listed as BYU's top target at RB, but after that it is a bit unclear. It says he is "cool" on Nebraska but predicts them 66%. They say he is "warm" on BYU but predicts them 33%.

- Alphonzo Andrews Jr (St. Louis, MO) - Listed as "Interested". But currently shows he is "warm" on Wyoming and predicts them 75%.



These players have been on the team and could step up into bigger roles depending on how things shake out. I only took those currently listed at RB.



Returning Players

Senior

- Kavika Fonua - Suffered a bad ankle injury (dislocated ankle) in camp last year which kept him on the scout team all of 2018. Will he be ready to contribute?

- Beau Hoge - His role is unclear at either the RB or QB position. Maybe spring ball will give us an idea how he might be used.

Junior

- Kyle Griffitts (walk-on) - Played on the scout team in 2018.

Sophomore

- Lopini Katoa - Top returning contributor, should get plenty of carries assuming he stays healthy.

Freshman

- Tyler Allgeier (walk-on) - Could contribute more this season after redshirt (4 games played) last year. 9 carries for 49 yards, also caught a pass, contributed on special teams, and had 1 fumble.

- Sione Finau - Contributed mainly on special teams as a redshirt (4 games played). Only official stats included 1 fumble and 1 tackle. Watch spring ball to see if he gets bigger role.

- Darius McFarland - Redshirt in 2018 (1 game played). Was listed at DL but later was on the depth chart as a FB. See if his role increases at what position in spring ball.

- Morgan Pyper (walk-on) - Saw no action on the field as a redshirt.



Returning Missionaries

- Jackson McChesney - Was a mission first player from class of 2017. Will return in June and is expected to be in fall camp.

Ula Tolutau?

Rumor is that he will not join the team.

I'll be surprised if Hoge is on the team next year.

Hoge got more playing time this year than he would have if they had left him at quarterback. With Mangum gone, there’s a chance of him competing for the backup spot, but like Spiff said, I don’t expect him to return for another season.

Katoa could be a great change-of-pace back, but he seems too light to be able to make it through the season uninjured if he's an every down back--especially given his history.



Fonua would be great to have if he's healthy.



Next up would be Hoge and Ulutau, but I don't expect either of them will be in the program come Fall--and that's a shame. Especially for Hoge who was caught in an unfortunate cross-fire and has done everything he could publicly to try to remedy that. I like Hoge as a wildcat or flea flicker or halfback pass option. We'll see if Grimes is able to put Hoge's dad's indiscretion behind him.

Actually QB is another spot that could have some interesting battles this spring and into the fall. Zach Wilson has done enough to be the #1 QB. Beyond him, there are several candidates who will be fighting for the backup spot and could find themselves the starter should injury happen.

- Jaren Hall, Freshman - Redshirt in 2018 (2 games played) but did not throw a pass. He has been seen playing baseball with the BYU team so he will be one to keep an eye on in spring. Is he fully committed to football or considering a change to baseball?

- Joe Critchlow, Sophomore - Redshirt in 2018 (no appearances). Played in 6 games in 2017 with 101 pass attempts, 3 TDs, and 4 Ints.

- Baylor Romney, Freshman (Walk-on) - Did not make any appearances in 2018.

- Stacy Connor, Freshman - Played on the scout team in 2018.

- Hayden Griffitts, Junior (Walk-on) - Played on the scout team in 2018.

- Hayden Livingston, Freshman (Walk-on) - Returned from his mission and expected to be part of spring camp.



Does Hoge have a place among this group? After starter Zach Wilson there is very little experience with only Critchlow getting game-time passes. Some of these guys could move on to other places depending on how things shake out. Mason Fakahua is returning from a mission in 2020 and then Jacob Conover is back for 2021 so we need to see some players emerge here.

Rumor is that Wilson will miss Spring ball rehabbing after wrist surgery.

Even not playing in spring, I don't see anyone unseating him going into fall camp. I think the backup pecking order is absolutely up for grabs.

Rumor is that Hoge will be gone soon.

ZW said he’ll be ready for spring ball

ZW said he’ll be ready for spring ball

Here is another RB visiting campus this weekend:
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5"11 / 205 RB | Scottsdale CC

Interesting to read up on him a little bit. LDS kid. Transferred his senior year to a better football school, only played half the season. He considered Phoenix College, Scottsdale Community and Eastern New Mexico University (DII). Scottsdale Community (and all the Maricopa County junior colleges) are dropping football for 2019 so he needs a place to land after 1 year of JC ball.

It sounds to me like he's pretty much a done deal for BYU.



He's undersized but athletic. Could be a good compliment to a more traditional every down back.

CB reports that it is a preferred walk-on. So that is good news all around. Still a few options floating out there but good to see the depth increasing.

Fido wrote:

...

- Emmanuel Esukpa - Graduate transfer from Rice, BYU RB coach AJ Steward was his RB coach at Rice, BYU is considered a favorite to land him. Would play in 2019.

Esukpa is the guy who was not accepted to graduate school at BYU which caused the uproar last week--so I guess he would have to come off this list.

And another name that has surfaced is Christian Grubb (class of 2019 out of Sherman Oaks, CA). Reportedly he has walk-on interest at Arizona State and offers to Army, Cal Poly, Drake, and Sacramento State. BYU and several other schools showed interest without offers, but now there is question about whether BYU has extended an offer due to other offers falling through.

Thomas Grayson picks Kansas State.
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