Who will fill Tonga's void?
Players report for fall camp at BYU a week from today, and one of the questions surrounding the Cougars as they prepare for 2008 has to do with the running back situation.
How will they replace Manase Tonga?
Coach Bronco Mendenhall says it could be done a variety of ways, but he won't be certain until a few weeks into camp. Tonga was ruled academically ineligible a few months ago and will definitely miss the 2008 season.
Mendenhall said Tonga has to be accepted back into BYU, and that the earliest he could re-join the team is next January.
"There are a couple of ways [the running back situation] could be shaped out," Mendenhall said, "and we are a little bit early [before] deciding it. Fui [Vakapuna] could play one of two roles -- he could be carrying the ball, and he could also be playing Manase's role."
Quarterback Max Hall and defensive end Jan Jorgensen both said at the MWC football meetings earlier this week that Vakapuna has worked extra hard in spring and summer conditioning sessions to be ready for the increased workload.
"Fui's going to be ready," Hall said. "Don't worry about Fui."
Tonga's role was more as a blocker and pass-catcher, although he did rush for 305 yards and eight touchdowns on 88 attempts. He caught 27 passes for 248 yards in 2007.
"Then we have Brian Kariya [a former Tribune MVP from Davis High], who is back off his mission, and he's also a Manase-type player, and he might figure in," Mendenhall said.
The coach also mentioned redshirt freshman J.J. Di Luigi, who was injured last year, but looked very good in spring camp.
"You know, we thought last year at this time that Fui would be carrying the ball more than Harvey [Unga], and it ended up being just the opposite, due to readiness or due to injury, so I can't tell you for sure, other than I think we have enough players to sort it out. It could very well be Harvey and Fui at the same time. That would probably be the most likely thing right now."
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Did you know that the Miami Dolphins go into their camp with three former Cougars on their roster, and four return missionaries? Quarterback John Beck, long-snapper/defensive lineman John Denney, free-agent linebacker Kelly Poppinga and Shawn Murphy, a fourth-round draft pick from Utah State, all went on "unpaid" LDS Church missions, the Miami Herald notes in an interesting article in today's editions.
How will they replace Manase Tonga?
Coach Bronco Mendenhall says it could be done a variety of ways, but he won't be certain until a few weeks into camp. Tonga was ruled academically ineligible a few months ago and will definitely miss the 2008 season.
Mendenhall said Tonga has to be accepted back into BYU, and that the earliest he could re-join the team is next January.
"There are a couple of ways [the running back situation] could be shaped out," Mendenhall said, "and we are a little bit early [before] deciding it. Fui [Vakapuna] could play one of two roles -- he could be carrying the ball, and he could also be playing Manase's role."
Quarterback Max Hall and defensive end Jan Jorgensen both said at the MWC football meetings earlier this week that Vakapuna has worked extra hard in spring and summer conditioning sessions to be ready for the increased workload.
"Fui's going to be ready," Hall said. "Don't worry about Fui."
Tonga's role was more as a blocker and pass-catcher, although he did rush for 305 yards and eight touchdowns on 88 attempts. He caught 27 passes for 248 yards in 2007.
"Then we have Brian Kariya [a former Tribune MVP from Davis High], who is back off his mission, and he's also a Manase-type player, and he might figure in," Mendenhall said.
The coach also mentioned redshirt freshman J.J. Di Luigi, who was injured last year, but looked very good in spring camp.
"You know, we thought last year at this time that Fui would be carrying the ball more than Harvey [Unga], and it ended up being just the opposite, due to readiness or due to injury, so I can't tell you for sure, other than I think we have enough players to sort it out. It could very well be Harvey and Fui at the same time. That would probably be the most likely thing right now."
-------------------------------
Did you know that the Miami Dolphins go into their camp with three former Cougars on their roster, and four return missionaries? Quarterback John Beck, long-snapper/defensive lineman John Denney, free-agent linebacker Kelly Poppinga and Shawn Murphy, a fourth-round draft pick from Utah State, all went on "unpaid" LDS Church missions, the Miami Herald notes in an interesting article in today's editions.
10:06 AM
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