BYU Football: 2017 season preview, predictions
By Zach Bigalke
Offense
Oft-injured quarterback Taysom Hill has moved on to the NFL after five eventful years in Provo. The Cougars also lose tailback Jamaal Williams, a catalyst for the offense in 2016. In total, BYU loses over three-quarters of its offensive production from last season. Sitake brought in a slew of transfers on offense to stem the loss of productivity, and Tanner Mangum has plenty of experience at quarterback.
The offensive line features plenty of experience, with 85 starts among the unit. That should provide Mangum with plenty of time to work in the pocket of BYU’s pro-style spread. He will be throwing to a new receiving corps, as all three of the top Cougars receivers in 2016 were seniors who have since graduated. New talent will have to step up quickly in the passing game if BYU is going to make waves in 2017.
That said, everything lives and dies by the running game in the Cougars offense. Long gone are the days of players like Robbie Bosco, Steve Young, and Jim McMahon. That could change this season as Sitake and the offensive staff rely more on Mangum’s arm than they did on Hill’s legs. If a young group of receivers matures quickly, the ball could be flying through the Provo air much more than it has in recent seasons.
Who will step up in the backfield?
The passing attack will have to pick up some slack, because losing Jamaal Williams won’t be easy for BYU. Williams ranked fifth nationally in rushing yards per game in 2016. He finished the year with 1,375 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns. Williams provided a one-two punch on the ground with Hill that will be hard to replicate, especially since Mangum does not possess nearly the same caliber of running ability that Hill brought to the table.
Related Story: BYU's Jamaal Williams is College Football's Most Overlooked Running Back
Thus it will fall even more on the shoulders of the current crop of running backs to maintain a rushing attack that averaged over 200 yards per game last year. Perhaps this is the occasion for Squally Canada to break out after a tumultuous start to his college career. He originally went to Washington State, but injuries forced him to take a redshirt season in 2015. Canada transferred the following year, sitting out 2015 before gaining 315 yards on 74 carries last season.
In addition to Canada, the Cougars also could get a spark from freshman Ula Tolutau. Tolutau was named Utah’s Mr. Football by the Deseret News in 2013 after rushing for nearly 2,500 yards and 31 touchdowns as a high school senior. Sophomore KJ Hall could also break out in 2017.