BYU Football: Projected 2-deep depth chart for 2017
By Zach Bigalke
Receivers
Starting receivers: Jonah Trinnaman, Talon Shumway, Aleva Hifo (slot)
Backups: Micah Simon, Akile Davis, Inoke Lotulelei (slot)
Nick Kurtz and Colby Pearson are both gone, leaving BYU without its two most productive receivers from last season. Plenty of the players on this year’s roster saw the field in 2016, with varying degrees of actual targets.
Jonah Trinnaman is the veteran of the group. In his first season with BYU after transferring from Washington State, Trinnaman caught 28 passes for 321 yards. His only touchdown catch was a 75-yard masterpiece against Toledo. He will see increased work this season as he steps up in the depth chart.
Opposite Trinnaman could be any number of redshirt sophomores. Talon Shumway, the top receiver prospect out of Utah in 2013, caught just three balls in seven games of action last year. He looks likely to get the first crack at starting opposite Trinnaman in traditional sets. He will be pushed by Micah Simon, a former quarterback who redshirted last year after seeing limited time at receiver in 2015. Akile Davis will also be in the mix for playing time at an outside position.
The Cougars will often be in traditional pro-style sets with two-back looks. When they do go to three receivers, we’ll see plenty of Aleva Hifo. The sophomore started two games last year for BYU but saw action in all 13. He will be backed up by 2013 junior-college transfer Inoke Lotulelei in the slot.
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Starting tight end: Tanner Balderree
Backups: Moroni Laulu-Pututau
Tanner Balderree returns for his senior season as the starter at tight end. Balderree started eight games in 2016, catching the overtime winner against Mississippi State and another in the Poinsettia Bowl victory over Wyoming. Converted receiver Moroni Laulu-Pututau will serve as Balderree’s backup and push the veteran for playing time in 2017.