BYU Football: 3 bold predictions for Cougars in October 2019
By Zach Bigalke
3. Jaren Hall will have two 300-yard games as he makes BYU history
Injuries have been a major issue at quarterback for BYU over the past few seasons, and they had another major setback at the position when Zach Wilson (pictured above) suffered a hand injury that required surgery. That operation will keep Wilson off the field for six to eight weeks, leaving the door open for another passer to make history.
Freshman quarterback Jaren Hall will step into the void left by Wilson’s injury and become the first black starting quarterback in BYU history. Hall was solid in spring practices, though he saw limited action in the first five games of the season. The former Maple Mountain High School star from Spanish Fork, Utah was ranked in the top 20 among dual-threat quarterbacks in the class of 2016, and he is back from his mission at a critical time for the Cougars.
We have seen freshman quarterbacks have major impacts in recent years around the country, and Hall is going to be no exception. Hall is going to break out in a big way, seizing his opportunity under center and converting it into big gains to expose what had previously looked like stingy secondaries.
South Florida is currently allowing 204 yards per game through the air. Boise State gives up an average of only 178 passing yards each outing. Those numbers are going to climb for both teams as Hall hangs a triple-century on his next two opponents.
Look for receivers Aleva Hifo and Micah Simon and tight end Matt Bushman to have huge games as well over the next few weeks as the Cougars get the job done against a couple of great secondaries. Hall is going to take advantage of BYU’s Group of Five opponents to start his Cougars career with a pair of huge outings.