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Returning Missionary Talent

We've quite a few players coming off of missions that will be new to or back on the roster for the 09' Season. They include the following:

DL - Jordan Richardson...He redshirted his first year. His profile here has him listed as an O-lineman,,,but he's going to play D-line for us. http://byu.scout.com/a.z?s=338&p=8&c=1&nid=2385654

LB - Brandon Ogletree....He went straight on his mission. he's been home from his mission for a couple of months and has been practicing with the team. He was All-State at the highest level of Football in the State of Texas. http://byu.scout.com/a.z?s=338&p=8&c=1&nid=2368516

DL - Romney Fuga...he played as a backup as a True Freshman.
http://byu.scout.com/a.z?s=338&p=8&c=1&nid=2070753

OL - Braden Hansen...he redshirted his Freshman year. Dude is a badass. In my opinion along with Matt Reynolds the best O-line prospect we've signed in many years. http://byu.scout.com/a.z?s=338&p=8&c=1&nid=1851806

TE/DL - Mike Muehlmann...according to his Dad there's a good chance he switches to Dline when gets home from his mission as we're stocked up at Tight End til the 2nd Coming.

OL - Ryan Freeman...he played quite a bit as a true freshman even getting some starts at Center which is impressive for a 1st year guy. http://byu.scout.com/a.z?s=338&p=8&c=1&nid=1907663

CB/WR - Rhen Brown....I've no idea what to expect from him. I think he was just a throw in for signing his Brother who also played a lot as a True Freshman. http://byu.scout.com/a.z?s=338&p=8&c=1&nid=1968522

WR - McKay Jacobsen....No introduction needed. :)http://byu.scout.com/a.z?s=338&p=8&c=1&nid=1444101

RB - Mike Hague...personally I think he'd be better at Safety. He laid some of the hardest hits I've ever seen from a High School Safety. http://byu.scout.com/a.z?s=338&p=8&c=1&nid=1899782

TE - Devin Mahina...this kid was a big deal when he signed at the time...he left straight on his mission. A lot of speculation has him moving to Defensive End when he gets back. A big time talent. http://byu.scout.com/a.z?s=338&p=8&c=1&nid=2451939

OL - Houston Reynolds...I think he returns in late Spring of 09'...too late to make any contribution for that season probably. http://byu.scout.com/a.z?s=338&p=8&c=1&nid=2544616

LB - Aveni Leung-Wai....he played 2 years at a JC,,,then went on his mission. Not sure when he gets back but I believe it's in time for the 09' season. My understanding is he's one of the faster linebackers we've signed in years. http://byu.scout.com/a.z?s=338&p=8&c=1&nid=2626927

WR - Marcus Matthews....went straight on a mission. He's an obvious candidate to redshirt in 09', with all the depth and talent we'll already have at WR for that season, but he was a big deal when he signed and his younger brother Mitch, is a verbal commit for this upcoming class. http://byu.scout.com/a.z?s=338&p=8&c=1&nid=2392602

CB - Robbie Buckner...redshirted his FR year...speedster out of Arkansas and was on the track team in High School. Impressed quite a bit on the scout team and will add to a position that's sorely lacking in depth and talent right now. http://byu.scout.com/a.z?s=338&p=8&c=1&nid=1927585

I can't remember if O-lineman Famika Anae redshirted his Freshman year or went on his mission first...he was an 07' signee.

Quote:

Originally Posted by RockyBalboa (Post 288540)

Anae went straight on his mission.

Fuga also played in every game as a true freshman, he was a solid player. But I think with Hola and Afutiti coming off of RS, and the fact that we return all 3 starters, Fuga will RS.

So it sounds as if we should be switching to a 4-3?

Quote:

Originally Posted by cougjunkie (Post 288561)

Fuga mostly played in a backup role and saw a few snaps here and there but he didn't really make much of an impact. He wasn't on Matangi Tongas level, but still he was part of the 5 Freshman to play on the D-line that year. There's talk from some people that they're going to move him over to the O-line, but I think that would be a bad move.

I wouldn't be surprised to see him redshirt either seeing we return almost the entire 3 deep D-line intact.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coach McGuirk (Post 288567)

So it sounds as if we should be switching to a 4-3?

In my opinion we would be better off staying in the 3-4 but using Clawson, Putnam and maybe even at times Jorgensen in a stand up LB role. Like Miami uses Joey Porter. Use him as a speed rusher off the edge to create havoc, move him all over the field and sometimes they drop in coverage but the majority of the time their job is to get to the qb.

Quote:

Originally Posted by RockyBalboa (Post 288568)

9 tackles and 2 tfls in limited duty is pretty decent from the D-tackle position. In fact he had better numbers than Dulan.

I don't see a lot of help at CB or safety.

Quote:

Originally Posted by RC Vikings (Post 288585)

I don't see a lot of help at CB or safety.

I think the coaching staff and those close to the program are confident that Buckner will be a great cb by his junior year. In fact I can see reporters at the Church News salivating for an article in 2010 introducing BYU's starting cornerbacks as two LDS AA returned missionaries Brandon Bradley and Robbie Buckner.

Quote:

Originally Posted by RockyBalboa (Post 288540)

I think the only one's with a legitimate shot to play in 2009 are Aveni Leung Wei "Everybody Leung Wei today!", Robbie Buckner and of course Jacobsen. I like the MLB from Texas but I think he and his family are in for a surprise how far he has to go before he can contribute at this level.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Goatnapper'96 (Post 288623)

Next years team needs Leung Weit to be able to contribute right away. Hopefully he and a healthy Hooks can man the middle next year.