2010 BYU Preview: Running Backs
Brian Kariya
The BYU Cougars face life without Harvey Unga in 2010.
Unga has taken his trade to the NFL and the Cougars are left to pick up the pieces in the backfield.
Cougar head coach Bronco Mendenhall admitted this week that BYU will operate with a running back by committee approach this season.
Entering fall camp it appears Bryan Kariya, JJ Di Luigi, Joshua Quezada and Mike Hague will be the backs called upon to try to lessen the pain of the loss of Unga.
Tuesday the Cougars released a depth chart as they prepare to head into fall camp on August 7th.
Here’s look at the committee members in the backfield and how they may figure into the BYU offense this season.
Bronco Mendenhall describes Bryan Kariya (6-0, 214 Jr) as “trustworthy”, which is about the highest compliment a BYU player can receive from Bronco. Kariya understands the offense and is rock solid in his assignments.
As I have mentioned here before, expect to see a lot of Brian in the backfield, especially in the season’s early going. The coaches know that they can count on Kariya in pass protection and that is huge considering the Cougars will be starting a new quarterback.
Brian isn’t flashy and he isn’t Harvey Unga by any stretch of the imagination, but he is a Bronco Mendenhall disciple that can be counted on to overachieve this year.
Kariya can run the ball well enough and has shown an ability to pick up the tough yards. He’s a very good receiver out of the backfield and he will be money in pass protection. All reasons why he will be the primary back in single-back sets as the Cougars begin 2010. Brian also has the ability to play some fullback in Robert Anae’s offense.
JJ Di Luigi (5-9, 198 Jr) should be a good yin to Kariya’s yang.
JJ began to hit his stride some last year and many in the program expect him to have a break out season this year. And the Cougars need him to do so.
What the junior from Canyon Country, California brings to the table is the ability to make defenders miss. Di Luigi isn’t the fastest guy on the squad, but he is very shifty and can frustrate would-be tacklers in open space. He’s also shown to be effective between the tackles as a surprisingly powerful inside runner.
JJ averaged a team-leading 5.5 yards per carry in 2009, besting even Unga. And although he may not draw many pass blocking assignments, he will be dangerous in the passing game as a receiver out of the backfield.
If true freshman Joshua Quezada (5-11, 210 Fr) had a few games under his belt, he would likely be filling Unga’s shoes in the backfield to start the season. He may be the heir apparent to Unga in the future, but entering the spring he is listed behind JJ Di Luigi on the depth chart.
As a freshman Quezada will need to earn the trust of the Cougar coaches before he sees significant playing time. He will need to show that he can be counted on to fulfill the assignments necessary to be a BYU running back. One of those assignments includes pass protection.
As a runner and a receiver he could easily be the committee chair in the Cougar backfield. He impressed during the spring and appeared to be the real deal. As he learns some of the nuances of playing running back and improves his pass blocking, “Juice” will see more time on the field this year. That will be a very good thing for the BYU offense.
Former Utah 5-A Player of the Year Mike Hague (5-10, 223 Jr) is listed on the depth chart behind Brian Kariya. Mike missed most of last season due to injury.
Cougar fans may remember his 87 yard burst against UNLV for a touchdown as a freshman in 2006. That run helped boost Hague’s career yards per carry number to a 7.2 average on 25 carries. As an athlete in high school and in limited action at BYU Hague has shown a penchant for busting the big play.
Other potential contributors in the backfield include Zed Mendenhall (6-0, 245 So) and David Foote (5-11, 212 So).
Incoming high school talent includes Algernon Brown from Skyline High and the speedy Drew Phillips from Boaz, Alabama.
Isn’t Algernon Brown going straight on a mission?
@ Ice Peak English
My understanding from his high school coach is that Alge is going to play a year and then go.
I’m thinking we will see a lot more sweep plays (did I use the right term?) and not as much up the middle. Goodness I hope Anae doesn’t throw these smaller backs up the middle like he does sometimes. Sure, give it a go, but I will be yelling at my TV if we’re constantly coming up short possession after possession because we run it up the middle 1st and 2nd down and then are obviously passing for 10 yards every 3rd down. >:-(
I don’t see any of these backs as pounding runners. A lot more like Curtis Brown maybe? There to run if you need to, but mostly an awesome receiver out of the backfield that distract and provides an outlet or pick up a block to protect. When they do get the ball on the ground though, probably more so in plays designed to give them space? Especially Di Luigi and Quezada? I’m thinking Kariya might be the whipping boy that gets sent up the middle a lot, but we’ll see I guess.
Overall, just anxious to see the team play.
You forgot to mention AJ Moore as well, a quick, smaller back, with good speed and quickness. He could redshirt, but might have big play ability in situational duty.
@ Chris Turner
The last word I had this past spring is that AJ was going straight on a mission.
Ryan,
The key in my mind to running a sweep is an athletic offensive line. You have to have the pulling linemen lead the way and punish the linebackers who are trying to fill gaps.
The prototypical BYU O-lineman is usually not what you think about when running a sweep (they are better suited to pass blocking). But this might be the year we have the big boys up front who can lead a sweep to success.
Ki
There are very few teams these days that run purely head up on defenses, football at all levels has been trending away from the rigid “Man Blocking” schemes. They aren’t running plays that call for a running back to run to the A gap or the B gap. They run what is called “Zone blocking” plays. Basically zone left and zone right where the running back chooses where he will take the ball, running to space or lanes in the defensive front.
Recall the game against OSU nearly all of the run plays for their small quick but not a burner running back Jaquez Rogers? He ran to the soft spot in the zone blocking scheme.
BYU ran more zone toward the end of last season as Harvey’s health improved. This scheme will work really well for a shifty runner like JJ and will highlight his ability to work inside with very little space to maneuver. With an experienced, athletic and healthy O-Line we should see a lot of movement at the line of scrimmage with this blocking scheme. The movement of the line is where we will see the lanes open up for JJ and Joshua.
Last year at the beginning of the game against OSU, BYU ran some inside run plays and some delay traps and where destroyed by the penetration of number 54 Steven Peua. The blocking scheme changed in the second series and let Steve run himself out of the play and created huge lanes to run through, “Zone Blocking”.
Kariya on the other hand will probably do better with a lead blocker and a predetermined soft spot. He did very well running behind Manase Tonga against OU.
Both of these backs will be used frequently in the passing game. Both had good YAC. And JJ had several really good catches up the sideline on the wheel routes.
Brett-
Where did you get the depth chart and if you are unwilling to publish that, would you please post it here?
Also, in spring practice, Zed Mendenhall started at FB. You have covered who might me taking Unga’s place but you haven’t covered who is taking Manase Tonga’s place. All I’m saying is that in the spring it was Mendenhall. I don’t think that Bryan & JJ start in running down situations because neither is a blocker like Manase & Fui were.
The depth chart is on the MWC web site.
Paul- Thanks Brett – Over the past four seasons we have been able to run the ball effectively & had a 1,000 yd runner. But we also had a FB who could primarily block & in the case of Manase, one who could run & catch; secondly, with Harvey we had a back who could run & catch; the main thing again we need now is someone to replace Manase…the combinations that have been discussed are far different than Curtis Brown & Manase or Fui/Manase & Harvey; here is the breakdown below (Note- Manase sat out 2008 for academic reasons):
2006 2007 2008 2009
Yds Rushing 1,845 1877 1747 1894
Avg/Rush 4.2 3.8 4.1 4.0
Avg/Game 141.9 144.4 134.4 145.7
TD’s Rushing 27 24 21 26
In conclusion, 2006 was our best year based on the most important stats that Coach M follows: Points per game scored: 36.8; points allowed: 14.7 or a spread of 22.1…that team except for a few lapses was lights out!
Walt,
The offense may change some this year.
Curtis and Harvey have spoiled us over the past few years. Quezada is the one guy on the roster that can be of that caliber, but I’m expecting it will take some time for him to grow into that role. Bronco listed Brian, JJ and Josh as the main guys in the backfield this year and that he expects them to collectively deliver the production that a very fit Unga would. All three of them bring something to the table and they will design the offense to take advantage of their various strengths, and hopefully do it in a manner that is not predictable.
As far as a fullback is concerned, yes Zed Mendenhall is a viable option from what I have seen. He’s a big, strong guy at 245 pounds. He may fill some of the blocking role that Manase played in this offense, he’s not is the runner or receiver that Tonga was though.
Paul or Brett-
I went to the MWC website but could not find BYU’s depth chart; can you help me?
Thanks
Paul-
What you say is true but it would be interesting to see in what percentage of the run plays was Manase a blocker and I bet it would be high, especially near the goal line or in 3rd and short downs.
Walt, here is an article from Jeff Call at the DNews that may help…
http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700051222/BYU-football-Cougars-release-their-depth-chart-prior-to-start-of-fall-camp.html
Brett,
What about AJ Moore, I have read a lot of good things during recruiting about this kid, and ESPN had him ranked higher than even Juice. Is he still coming here? Is there a chance for this kid to play this fall?
Just read the above comment about Moore, thanks for the information. Next time I will read all the comments before I ask a redundant question.
Before we all get depressed about the running back position, let’s recall who we thought was going to run the ball after Curtis Brown left. Did anyone think that Harvey would be the runner that he was? NO. Everyone was counting on Fui to take the load and he rarely had an impact that year. Injuries to his ankles and the effectiveness of Harvey. We forgot all about the void left by Brown.
I bet that we will not see a drop off from last year in yardage. BYU will run for about the same number of yards (1800yds), have a simalar YPC average (4-4.2) and about as many touchdowns (low to mid 20’s).
What made the backfield so good last year? Line play, receiving and yards after contact. The O-line will be as good or better than last year, so we can call that a wash. Harvey was not a speedy back, but he was able to (with good feet and lateral movement for a man of 245lbs) bounce outside enough to make the defense work. Harvey and Manasse could both block and receive quite well. And the way Harvey attacked defenders will be missed.
Now look at who BYU has as options this year. I would say that even though many say that JJ is not fast, he runs better than the 4.7 Harvey ran in the NFL workout and he has better lateral movement and quicker feet. We already saw last year that he can catch the ball and do something with it after the catch. (see wyoming and San Diego games). I would compare JJ to a man we loved when he played with Luke, Reno Mahe. He was quick, make you miss and make you look stupid doing it, but not run away from you fast. Next we have Bryan, I would catagorize him as a player reminisant of Sitake or maybe Lakei Heimuli. He will give you everything that he can, but will get caught from behind lots of 10 to 15 yard runs but rarely a run over 30 yards. He will break out of tackles because he won’t stop his feet. Not as punishing as Harvey, but will still give you yards after contact because of his leg drive.
The unknowns will be Joshua, Drew and a big blocking FB. Joshua could be compared to Mcdonald of a few years ago, not a Harvey. Joshua Quezada only tips the scales at 210 pounds well short of the 245lbs of Harvey but with a lot more speed to get to the edge. Drew could have the speed of a Ronney Jenkins and he is bigger than Ronney.
There have been some great backs come in as freshman and make a difference. As will as players in the program having breakout years, that were unknowns and then wowed us.
I for one have no worries about the backs. They can catch the ball and get up the field, already demonstrated. They can make the first guy miss or over come the tackle with effort, also demonstrated. And we know that if the backs can’t block they won’t be on the field.
Paul-
Very good comments, probably the best on this article. As far as the credibility of the players height & weight, it can’t be trusted yet because Kyle Van Noy is actually 6′4″ 235 instead of 6′4″ 209. Also, who needs a RB who is 6′ 245 lbs? Harvey was good because as you said he had decent speed for 245; but a ran too upright & that will kill him in the NFL; now back to RB size, here are some NFL greats (all time rushing ranking): Emmitt Smith (1): 5′10″ 210; Walter Payton (2): 5′10″ 200; Barry Sanders (3): 5′8″ 203; Curtis Martin (4): 5′11″ 210; Tony Dorsett (7): 5′11″ 192; Marshall Faulk (10): 5′10″ 211; anybody getting the picture yet? JJ Di Luigi 5′9″ 198; Josh Quezada 5′11 210 Bingo!
Brett- I know you haven’t done the defense, and he defintely ws not on the Depth Chart because he’s not arriving here until Sunday around 2:00 PM and that’s DeQuan Everette who is a DB transferring from Cerritos JC; he is 6′2″ 185 & runs a 4.5; he will try to start at one of the DB’s or if he doesn’t start there he will be tried at FS; also, there is a good NT/DE coming in but I can’t find his name.
Count me as one who doesn’t see Zed Mendenhall getting any reps at fb during the season. I think when byu goes to 2 back sets, Kariya will fill that role as the 2nd blocking/pass catching back.
Also, Algeron Brown could be a great fb, if he wants to be. Problem is that I think he sees himself as a rb, and he has a lot of traits similiar to Harvey Unga so don’t count him out either. During a few weekly hs broadcasts last year on KJ Steve Brown couldn’t say enough good things about him, and that’s saying something since he is a Yewt Homer. Brown can block, run, and catch fairly well.
Also, I could be wrong, but I think I did hear that AJ Moore was playing this year, but likely will rs either way.
Timo is another name to look for next year when he comes off his mission.
Kariya is to small and weak to be used as a primary fullback. He is not small or weak himself, just when compared to what is needed as a blocking fullback.
I would like to see BYU move Richard Wilson to Fullback. 6′2″ 230lbs sounds like perfect size to pick up where Fahu, Fui and Manase left off. Having played TE he should know how to block. With all the depth at TE and LB he may not see the field otherwise.
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