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Provo • Receiver Cody Hoffman was back on BYU's practice field Friday, catching a pair of touchdown passes and generally looking like a man among boys. Nobody was happier about that than quarterback Riley Nelson, who threw those two touchdowns to Hoffman while the Cougars worked on their short-field offense.
"Everything flows better when [Hoffman] is out there," Nelson said.
After practice, Hoffman spoke to reporters for the first time since he was held out of four practices for disciplinary reasons. He said he didn't miss a step after getting his first serious work in contact situation on Friday, but believes the punishment was fair.
"Yeah, I made a mistake and they handled it accordingly, and now I am back," he said.
Coach Bronco Mendenhall spoke earlier in the week about having "personal contracts" with players and how important it was to have channels of communication open with players such as Hoffman, a blossoming superstar.
"I feel like if there is ever anything wrong, I am able to keep in contact with [Mendenhall] and tell him what's going on," Hoffman said.
More time needed
Friday was supposed to be the day when coaches came out with a two-deep chart for all the position groups, but Mendenhall said it will take a little longer. Besides, he said, another scrimmage will be held sometime next week — he's not sure when — and players will be given a chance to move up or down one more time.
Upon further review
Coaches liked what they saw after reviewing film of Thursday's scrimmage, which ended up including 83 plays when penalties and kicking plays were counted in.
"Just exactly what we hoped to accomplish," Mendenhall said. "We were able to get more clarity [in looking at some position battles]."
Foote gets a scholarship
Running back David Foote, who walked on three years ago out of Pine View High in St. George, has been awarded a scholarship. He's one of five running backs who could play this year, Mendenhall said, along with Mike Alisa, Iona Pritchard and fullback Zed Mendenhall.
And the fifth?
Adam Hine or Jamaal Williams is "probably the other one," Mendenhall said. "Then you might see JD Falslev in the backfield. You might see Alex Kuresa in the backfield. There are a lot of different types of guys."
Strongside battle
Perhaps the closest position battle right now is at strongside linebacker, where junior Spencer Hadley and sophomore Alani Fua are in the mix. Hadley was the presumed starter, but Fua had the better scrimmage Thursday and was running with the ones on Friday.
"It could move back and forth three, four, five times before we play Washington State," Mendenhall said. "But they will both play."
Briefly
Micah Hanneman, a freshman DB from Lone Peak High, was originally scheduled to grayshirt this season, but he has been awarded a scholarship. "Most likely he will play this season and through next fall, then leave for his mission," Mendenhall said. … Safety Craig Bills, a returned missionary from Timpview High, had an interception in Friday's team session.
Twitter: @drewjay —
BYU camp cuts
What we learned • Receiver Cody Hoffman hasn't skipped a beat, catching a pair of touchdown passes on Friday.
Who was hot • Riley Nelson fires three touchdown passes in team drills, but is intercepted once — by Craig Bills.
Who was sidelined • Defensive tackle Romney Fuga misses practice to participate in graduation ceremonies, while fellow D-lineman Ian Dulan continues to sit out with a sore back.