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Braden Brown wanted badly to join the ranks of pass-catching tight ends who have produced great numbers for Brigham Young's football team.
BYU, rightfully known for its long line of stellar quarterbacks, also has an impressive list of quality tight ends.
Chad Lewis, Jonny Harline and, the latest, Dennis Pitta are just a few of those pass-catching big bodies Brown sought to emulate.
So, welcome Braden Brown, starting offensive tackle.
"I was skeptical at first," said the sophomore from Salt Lake City. "I always wanted to play for BYU because there is such a big tight end chain here."
Brown's skepticism lasted about one offensive series.
"After that first game when I played tackle, I knew it was the position for me," he said. "I fell in love with the position. I just love how you can be nasty on every play and how you can dominate someone on every single play. I love that."
Gaining extra pounds was Brown's most difficult challenge. He packed 50 more pounds on his 6-foot-6 frame and now weighs in at more than 300 pounds.
Brown has impressed offensive coordinator Robert Anae, who had nothing but good words for Brown's effort in the transition.
"He's an athletic guy," Anae said. "So that's a huge plus for the athleticism of the offensive line and the offense in general. He's always been a tough guy … a huge plus."
An all-star selection as a senior at Highland High, Brown caught six touchdown passes. He also led the Rams in tackles.
Brown has transferred his defensive mind-set to the tackle position, where he will be paired with Matt Reynolds.
It is expected that, because BYU has right-handed and left-handed passers, Reynolds will protect the quarterback's blind side and will trade sides with Brown depending on who is calling signals.
"I don't know if I'd go back to tight end even if they asked me," Brown said.
Still, there is one accomplishment on Brown's agenda.
"I was joking with the quarterbacks," he said. "'Is it too much to ask to have one touchdown before I leave the program?' We'll see what happens."
The Cougar way
BYU's season-opening opponent, Washington, is coached by former Cougar quarterback Steve Sarkisian, entering his second season with the Huskies.
BYU coach Bronco Mendenhall can see a bit of the Cougars' offense at Washington.
Mendenhall also believes that it was Sarkisian's experiences at Brigham Young that will translate into success.
Sarkisian, an assistant at USC prior to the move to Seattle, was the Western Athletic Conference's Offensive Player of the Year in 1996.
"He's done a nice job," Mendenhall said. "It's a testament to the education and preparation he received here as a BYU quarterback that has helped him be successful, as it has with most BYU quarterbacks who have left here and gone on to do some neat things."