1. Expectations

This year our team came out hoping to prove everyone wrong and shock the world. This year the team has to remain focused with all of the hype coming their way. They have to be committed to a bigger goal— winning the Big 12– every single day.

2. Increased Athleticism in the front 7

BYU only had 3 rotation players in the front 7 who had exceptional athleticism (Batty, Glasker, Kelly). Everyone else was a blue collar type who exceeded expectations by playing hard and physical. While we lose Batty we potentially add 3 more NFL-level athletes to the lineup in Esera, Tanuvasa, and Tuala. This ought to help us push the OL back more often.

3. Unproven Defensive Ends

BYU has a bevy of talent at defensive end but none of it is proven. This group doesn’t have to do a lot with how good the LBs will be but they’ve got to hold the edge in the run game and find at least one standout pass rusher.

4. More options for Jake and ARod

BYU stands to have more playmakers for Jake and ARod to use. Ryan has the versatility we’ve been looking for at TE and will be a playmaker at a position that did the least to contribute to our success. We bring back all our WRs and RBs except (maybe) Lassiter. Young guys like JoJo, Hagen, Moa, and Haungu will improve and give us even more playmakers. This offense should be more complete and able to give more deceiving looks.

5. Needing a Nickelback

How do you replace Jakob Robinson? Dude was an all time great and manned the nickel for us this year. In order to continue to have success we need a new starter to emerge.