BYU soccer gamers and coaches have stored an eye fixed on Colorado the final half of the Big 12 season with the thought that they may see the Buffaloes within the convention championship sport.
Obviously, that didn’t occur, as BYU, CU, Iowa State and Arizona State all completed with 7-2 league information and the Cyclones and Sun Devils received to play in Arlington, Texas, as a result of an advanced tiebreaker system.
However, the shut watch on Colorado is paying dividends now, because the Cougars will face coach Deion Sanders’ No. 23-ranked squad within the Alamo Bowl (5:30 p.m. MST, ABC) on Dec. 28 on the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas.
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For the previous 10 days, for the reason that matchup was introduced on Dec. 8, the Cougars have elevated their movie examine on CU and its plethora of superstars akin to Heisman Trophy winner and two-way participant Travis Hunter, quarterback Shedeur Sanders and receivers Will Sheppard and Jimmy Horn Jr.
To say the Cougars are impressed could be an understatement.
Monday, BYU offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick stated Hunter is “most likely one of the best soccer participant I’ve ever seen” and that it will likely be an honor to teach towards the “NFL-style” Colorado protection.
“He is an unbelievable participant,” Roderick stated of Hunter, who performs receiver and cornerback. “To play 100-and-something snaps each sport, and be that good on offense, after which cowl individuals the way in which he does within the fourth quarter of video games, after he has performed 100 performs, I’ve by no means seen something prefer it. Lots of respect for him.”
Roderick famous that CU defensive coordinator Robert Livingston coached within the NFL for 12 seasons (with the Cincinnati Bengals) and that Sanders has established his aggressive, attacking model in Boulder on either side of the ball.
“They are very expert, play a number of man protection,” Roderick stated. “And their move rush is actual. Those defensive ends need to get to the quarterback. They are an excellent protection. I’ve lots of respect for these guys. They are good.”
BYU’s Keelan Marion, who on Tuesday made yet one more All-America crew (FWAA first crew) for his work as a kick returner, stated he has identified Hunter since they had been highschool rivals within the Atlanta space and used the identical coach within the offseason.
Marion prepped at Grayson High in Loganville, Georgia, earlier than beginning his collegiate profession at UConn, whereas Hunter prepped at Collins Hill High in Suwanee, Georgia, and commenced his profession at Jackson State earlier than following Coach Prime to Colorado.
“He has at all times been that child earlier than everyone knew who he was,” Marion stated. “He has at all times been the identical man he’s at the moment. So, shoutout to Trav. I’m very excited. … He places within the work and it exhibits why he received the Heisman.”
On the opposite aspect of the ball, BYU security Tanner Wall can also be wanting ahead to defending Hunter, who additionally received the Biletnikoff Award as the highest receiver within the nation.
“We are simply excited, you realize? I imply, the competitor in all of us, we need to play towards one of the best, so seeing Travis successful the Heisman on Saturday, I believe we had been all excited figuring out that we get to exit and play towards the Heisman winner (along with) all the opposite awards that he received,” Wall stated. “He’s a really revered participant. So we’re excited for that problem.”
“He has at all times been that child earlier than everyone knew who he was. He has at all times been the identical man he’s at the moment. So, shoutout to Trav. I’m very excited. … He places within the work and it exhibits why he received the Heisman.”
— BYU’s Keelan Marion, who knew Travis Hunter from his prep days in Georgia
Wall stated Colorado has one of the best passing offense the Cougars will face this season, and probably the greatest quarterbacks in Shedeur Sanders, if not one of the best.
“I might say simply his poise within the pocket, and the way correct he’s passing (stands out),” Wall stated. “Obviously, his completion proportion (74.2%) is tremendous excessive, and he at all times places the ball on the cash. And his receivers, they discover methods to get open. He finds artistic methods to get them the ball. He will put the ball in tight home windows.”
Wall will probably be with out his working mate within the secondary, as beginning robust security Crew Wakley entered the switch portal on Dec. 9 and clearly received’t play within the bowl sport. Wakley performed greater than 350 snaps in 2024, posting 44 tackles, two interceptions and a sack.
“It goes to require among the youthful gamers to step up, which has occurred all through the season,” Wall stated. “Guys like Raider Damuni and Tommy (Prassas) and Faletau (Satuala) are going to be guys who’re stepping up and filling these sneakers to make some performs.”
That’s rather a lot to ask. Putting freshmen on the likes of Hunter, Sheppard and Horn doesn’t appear to be a recipe for fulfillment, however BYU defensive coordinator Jay Hill stated the “subsequent man up mentality” has labored all yr for the Cougars and will probably be counted on once more on the Alamodome.
“Well, Crew was an amazing participant, made lots of performs for us, and stuff like that,” Hill stated. “… We have some actually gifted younger safeties in that group that I’m excited to see how they play on this sport. … Those guys will go in and play good. I actually consider that.”
Hill referred to as Hunter “probably the greatest athletes within the nation” and stated Shedeur Sanders — who completed in eighth place within the Heisman voting — is a “phenomenal quarterback” and probably the most correct and efficient passer BYU has confronted within the final two years.
“I do know the gamers are tremendous enthusiastic about defending these guys. It isn’t just (Hunter),” Hill stated. “They produce other guys too that we’re going to have to lift our degree of execution and simply how we play. So, it will likely be enjoyable, and an amazing problem.”
Also Monday, Roderick confirmed that BYU will probably be with out two key offensive linemen within the bowl sport, senior proper deal with Brayden Keim and his backup, junior Isaiah Jatta, who transferred to BYU from Colorado, of all locations.
