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In the heat of August, a video showing BYU soccer players winning a NIL deal from Built Brands took the sports world by storm. This unique, groundbreaking development caught the imagination of experts and college professionals across the country, and within a few days the video clip had nearly 4 million views.
Here’s our coverage of this big story that garnered worldwide attention because of its unique approach and what it means for the 30 or so players on the BYU roster who are now receiving more than $ 3,000 in tuition and other expenses.
- New NIL deal with built hits from the bottom up (Dick Harmon)
- Why the new NIL deal is changing the lives of walk-ons (Jay Drew)
- New deal attracts national attention (Ryan McDonald)
- Every BYU soccer player now has a NIL deal (Ryan McDonald)
Cougar insider predictions
Question of the week: At BYU’s first major Scrimmage of Fall Camp, the defense prevailed. Is that a surprise?
Jay Drew: Reporters weren’t allowed to watch BYU’s first scrimmage at the 2021 preseason training camp last Saturday, but reports have leaked that the defense against the offensive has more than held its own. According to some reports, the defense was clearly superior and kept the offense out of the end zone until late into the scrimmage.
For me this is a big surprise. I’ve been saying for eight months that the defense will sorely miss the graduates, guys like Khyiris Tonga, Chris Wilcox, Isaiah Kaufusi, and Troy Warner.
However, it appears that defensive coordinator Ilaisa Tuiaki will have his boys ready to make everyone forget the above once the season kicks off on September 4th.
That’s a positive development for Cougar fans as defense – especially upfront – should be a weakness for BYU. Time will tell, but after a scrimmage it sounds like the Cougars will have another solid defense in 2021.
Dick Harmon: The news that the defense has been strong, playing games, taking the ball away and thwarting tees is good news. Why? Because that happens in good football teams, where the defense can react and attack and the offense insists on executing their moves with timing and chemistry. This is the normal development of a football team. In good teams it’s an up and down camp during camp, but generally the defense comes out smoking.
I remember keeping his offense on the field for more than 100 games against Bronco Mendenhall in one of Gary Crowton’s first scrimmages because Mendenhall’s defense was frustrating his offense. This is nature. I think BYU’s corners and coverage are getting a lot better this year and will surprise people. I also think the addition of an extra coach on the defensive side (who was taken off the offense) had an impact as Kevin Clune (linebackers) was added on that side of the ball. Now the crime has to react. I think sharing reps with three QBs is reduced to just Jaren Hall and Baylor Romney taking the most snaps. Newcomer Jacob Conover reportedly didn’t get much action at all in this scrimmage. That signals that Aaron Roderick will save him through a Redshirt year and need to reduce the repetitions to two that are expected to start and support the others.
Cougar stories
Dax Milne records reps in the NFL during camp and remains one of the best distance runners in BYU history with Austin Collie. I asked recipient trainer Fesi Sitake if he had anyone as good as Milne at running distances. His answer surprised me when he showered one of his stars with praise. Here is his answer in an article written to highlight his move to the passing game coordinator.
Zach Wilson completed 6 of 9 passes in two series with the Jets in one win over cross-town rivals the New York Giants. That ignited Jets fans with their praise for what they saw in his arm strength, speed and posture. Here’s a breakdown of the NFL rookies on their Touchdownwire debut, which gives Wilson an A- grade.
From the archives
From the Twitter verse
Extra points
Next
August 19 | 7 p.m. | Women’s football | versus Ohio State | @Provo
August 21 | 7 p.m. | Women’s football | against Auburn | @Provo
August 26th | 7 p.m. | Women’s football | vs. USC | @Provo
September 4th | 9:30 p.m. | Football | against Arizona | @Las Vegas
September 11 | 8:15 pm | Football | vs. Utah | @Provo
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