BYU football: Glut of QBs likely means at le..

BYU notes • With six in the mix, verdict may not come until the fall.

This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2012, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

Provo • BYU's returned missionary quarterbacks who transferred from other institutions, Taysom Hill (Stanford) and Ammon Olsen (Southern Utah), have acquitted themselves well at spring camp, and Hill was singled out by coach Bronco Mendenhall for his performance in last Saturday's scrimmage at LaVell Edwards Stadium.

But starter Riley Nelson and fellow senior James Lark are still solidly in front of those two on the depth chart, and Mendenhall acknowledged Wednesday that at least one will be asked to redshirt in 2012.

"We have so many [quarterbacks] that reps can only be distributed to probably two, with a third getting some. So we will have to make that decision at some point," Mendenhall said.

Junior Jason Munns and redshirt freshman Alex Kuresa are also in the mix, and Kuresa has decided to play in 2012 before going on an LDS Church mission.

"Too early to say [how it will all shake out]," Mendenhall said. "The good news is that we have summer, spring, fall camp. … If the summer practices go the way I think they will, we will have a really good idea, maybe mid-fall camp, as to what we might do."

Another injury

Blair Tushaus, a sophomore offensive lineman (center) from Scottsdale, Ariz., suffered a torn meniscus in his knee during Monday's practice and will miss the rest of spring camp, head athletic trainer Kevin Morris said. Tushaus will need surgery in a couple of weeks, but will be healthy in plenty of time for fall camp.

Running back Adam Hine hasn't practiced since sustaining a head injury in Saturday's scrimmage, an injury that Morris is now calling a mild concussion.

Another position switch

Senior Austen Jorgensen caught a 14-yard swing pass Saturday and has tried his hand at fullback all spring, but is switching back to linebacker. He's going to play outside linebacker this time, and is No. 3 on the depth chart at strongside (Sam) linebacker behind Spencer Hadley and Alani Fua.

Briefly

Mendenhall said he won't name captains when spring practice concludes, as he did last year, saying "it was a mistake, but I thought it was the right [decision] at that time." … The Cougars will conduct their annual Pro Day on Thursday in the weight room of the student athlete building and at the indoor practice facility. More than 20 NFL scouts and representatives are expected to attend. BYU's most draftable players are believed to be offensive lineman Matt Reynolds and defensive tackle Hebron Fangupo. … Spring practices conclude Friday, which is also Alumni Day.

drew@sltrib.com

Twitter: @drewjay

BYU football: Glut of QBs likely means at least one redshirt