BYU wide receiver Neil Pau’u was one of the Cougars’ most improved offensive weapons at the start of the fall camp

BYU junior receiver Neil Pau’u sat in front of junior defensive lineman Lorenzo Fauatea during Monday’s press conference in Provo. When Fauatea was asked who did the most improvement in the fall camp, he smiled and called Pau’u’s name.

But Fauatea’s praise wasn’t just for proximity.

“Every time they throw the ball, I see No. 2 catching it,” said Fauatea, referring to Pau’u’s jersey number. “Somehow he’s always open. I’ve also seen difficult passes or difficult catches at Neil Pau’u. “

Case in point: shortly after the media was allowed to step onto the second floor balcony of the Student Athletic Building to watch the end of the Cougars’ first fall camp, Pau’u quickly reassured reporters by making an impressive touchdown catch from Jaren Hall who is in the middle of his own position battle.

Pau’u was keen and eager to win this starting position the first week of camp.

Dax Milne swapped the blue and white BYU uniform for one that features more burgundy and gold after being drafted into the NFL by the Washington Football team. That means the Cougars are entering the 2021 season without the nearly 1,200 feet of production that Milne has made available. You won’t have his ability to serve as the casual ball carrier where he won 67 yards with 11 carries last year.

But BYU recipients could be the deepest and most experienced position group on the team.

“That space is really deep right now,” said quarterback Baylor Romney on Monday.

An important reason for this depth is Pau’u. The native Californian is entering his fifth season with the Cougars and has increased production every year since his first season in 2017.

In 2020, Pau’u’s breakout year resulted in 603 yards and four touchdowns from 45 catches, averaging 13.4 yards per catch. He’s likely to lead a group that includes Gunner Romney, who had the second-most yards last year at 767, but six fewer catches and two fewer touchdowns than Pau’u.

Pau’u knows how stacked the BYU recipient group is heading for the team’s season opener in Arizona. He said the greatest strength he sees in the crowd – which includes brothers Puka and Samson Nacua – is a strong mentality in dealing with some injuries.

“I think the mentality of just getting in and staying focused and locked in and grind is probably the greatest,” Pau’u said.

Pau’u has improved not only as a soccer player but also as a man. He pleaded guilty in July 2019 to interfering with driving after being arrested on the BYU campus. He cashed his Redshirt year and spent it on probation, describing the time as “hard and lonely” and coming out on the other side with a productive 2020.

The Cougars have a new offensive coordinator in Aaron Roderick who served as the team’s quarterbacks coach before replacing Jeff Grimes after he moved to Baylor. Pau’u seems to be enjoying the early return to the new season after a few training sessions.

“[Roderick] is probably a little more aggressive, ”said Pau’u. “It’s just good to see. I love when the ball is in the air. We are allowed to do plays. “

With so many battles for position, the BYU depth map is still in its infancy. The same applies to the recipient group at this point in the exercise plan. Roderick does his job for him.

“Our receiver depth is the best since I’ve been here,” said Roderick.

But with a more difficult schedule than last year, the Cougars could use another stellar year from Pau’u. And if his career is any indication of that, BYU might just get it.