The Cougar offense should really peak the next couple seasons, I would think they would want to seize the opportunity with the next Steve Young, er, Jake Heaps as opposed to Riley Nelson. And the case could certainly be made that BYU could spread more of its message (with the help of BCS money) with Heaps slinging TDs as opposed to digging ditches…

Jake Heaps prepped for stardom with a huge bowl game (Icon SMI)

BYU returns almost everyone on offense. QB Heaps was a learning freshman this season, he will be a savvy vet to start 2011 and on his way to becoming one of the next great BYU quarterbacks. He returns his top two WRs in Cody Hoffman and Mackay Jacobson, but perhaps the top target in 2011 didn’t even play this season: Ross Apo (6-3 and 203 lbs)  was a huge recruiting get out of Texas for the Cougars that got lost in the Heaps signing. He was never really healthy to start the season and ended up taking a redshirt.

Plus the OL returns 4 starters (assuming Jr Matt Reynolds passes on the chance to go Pro) and in fact almost everyone from the entire unit, only losing 2 seniors from the entire OL 3-deep. In short, the BYU passing game should be more than fine next year, expect Heaps to potentially be a Top 10 passer next season. The running game also sees the return of both JJ Di Luigi and Bryan Kariya, also added into the mix should be rising-sophomore Josh Quezada (who lead all rushers with 99 yards and a score in the bowl game). Drew Philips may also be added to the backfield mix next year. Philips has drawn comparisons to Reggie Bush and is a true 2-way (offensive only , RB/WR) threat.

As I wrote this, HC Bronco Mendenhall has fired every offensive coach. So another marquee opening for a hotshot OC, especially with BYU becoming Independent. This could have big implications on young Heaps, as in the right hire could make him a 5,000 yard passer next season. Read the rest of this entry →

The annual pre-season Mountain West Conference checklist always seems the same:

Have a good number of players become fantasy-friendly (i.e….lots of stats):  Check.

Dominate the BCS conference mostly to the west of us (Pac-10):  Check.

Crash the BCS:  Check.

The MWC has been active in the 2010 off-season, becoming one of the players in the recent conference re-shuffling (losing Utah, but gaining Boise State).  During the 2010 regular season, the MWC will also produce a number of fantasy prospects, including TCU QB Andy Dalton (photo, thanks Scout.com) Read the rest of this entry →

It is safe to say, that, you can add another name to the long list of stellar QBs to come from Brigham Young University.

Joining such Cougar QB greats like Gifford Nielsen, Marc Wilson, Jim McMahon, Steve Young, Robbie Bosco, Ty Detmer, Steve Sarkisian, John Beck, et al…is current BYU signal-caller Max Hall, our 2009 Fantasy College Blitz – Mountain West Conference Fantasy Player of the Year.

Hall, senior from Mesa, AZ (Mountain View HS), repeats as our FCB – MWC Fantasy Player of the Year (2008 winner)…throwing for over 3200 yards and 28 TDs, and rushing for 2 more TDs (stats quoted through November 21st games).

Joining Hall on the 2009 MWC All-Fantasy Team are…. Read the rest of this entry →

Even with some big losses at the skill positions, it should be another successful season for the Brigham Young University Cougars…and another season for fantasy players to load up on Cougar talent.

Keyed by the super-productive QB Max Hall (photo, thanks IconSMI), it will be another stat-happy year from one of the top offenses in the nation…and a program that will be looking for another Mountain West Conference title

Also, BYU’s offense may provide one of the surprise fantasy stars in 2009…

Read the rest of this entry →