Observations from the first padded spring exercises

Provo, Utah – Byu Football Spring Training has opened for the first time since the camp.

Potential rain was in the forecast, so that the Cougars were for the first practice with pads indoors.

Here are some of the practice on Monday that attracted my attention.

McCae Hillstead tends

The Backup Quarterback Spot is one of the large storylines during the spring exercises this month. Who will be the QB2, the former McCae Hillstead from Utah State, from Western Michigan Transfer Treyson Bouruet?

Hillstead seemed to be the better of the two on Monday during media observation.

The 5-foot 10, 195 pound signal caller, which now wore No. 3 instead of No. 15, had an excellent pass on the run on its right to Wide Receiver Koa Eldredge near the sidelines.

Hillstead also made a shot on the field to the former Cal Transfer Marquis Taliulu, who was a well -thrown ball, but talked to the second Cornerback Marcus McKenzie was there to break it up.

Later in the team of media observation, Hillstead combined with Taliulu for an initial closure.

Hillstead had a questionable litter that was intended for the newcomer Lamason Waller. The pass was thrown in double cover and almost picked up by Sale Esera. Apart from this one litter, it was a strong performance of the former Aggie QB.

Treyson Bouruet Update

In addition to Hillstead, the former Western Michigan Transfer Treyson Bouruet is fighting for the role of Backup Quarterback. Bouruet had a completion in Weston Covey for a big win.

On the other hand, Bouruet had an inaccurate pass to the apartment, which sailed from the borders.

Good decision -making by Jake Retzlaff

Senior Quarterback Jake Retzlaff had an impressive competition for Carsen Ryan. Retzlaff, who enters his first full off -season as a clear starter of BYU, stayed patiently in his pocket, moved up and connected with the former closing matching in Utah to make a positive profit.

Retzlaff showed his arm strength on a deep ball that had the money for redshirt in the second year Jojo Phillips, but the former Sierra Canyon High Star could not get involved.

For Phillips, he had a diving trap on a pass from Retzlaff near the first downward marker at the beginning of the team, with Cornerback Mory Bamba defending him.

Newcomer byu football that runs back

Former Weber High-star Logan Payne starts as a return at BYU after serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of the saints of the last few days in Colombia.

Payne, the son of the former Byu Great Matt Payne, pulls the number 38 of his father from his backfield for the Cougar.

The former Weber -outstanding place, which hurried over 1,300 yards in 2021 in 2021, showed its speed during his handful of touch during media observation.

Payne had a run that corresponded to a win of seven or eight meters, in which he flew from defenders on the field to approach the first down marker.

The 2025 football team has a strong return unit of LJ Martin, followed by Sione Moa, Enoch Nawahine, Pokai Haunga and Jovesa Damuni. But Payne gave some insights into his speed and physicality in his touch.

Trenches tidbits

On Monday there were some good battles in the trenches. Bruce Mitchell showed the offensive line of BYU's first team in the center, Isaiah Jatta on the left Tackle and Austin Lausa in the right tackle. Southern Utah Transfer Kyle Sfarcioc and Sonny Makasini treated the wax stains.

In the line of defense, byus defensive were the defensive Logan Lutui and Orion Maile-Kaufusi. Then there were Keanu Tanuvasa and John Taumoepeau in the interior.

Maile-Kaufusi is a former signator of the state of Oregon, who ended up after a mission for the Church on BYU. He redefined last year after his appearance in four games.

Mitch Harper is a BYU insider for kslsports.com and moderates the Cougar Tracks Podcast (Subscribe to) and Cougar Sports Saturday (12 noon to 3 p.m.) on KSL Newsradio. Follow Mitch's reporting on BYU in the BIG 12 conference X: @Mitch_harper.

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