Welcome back to Yawk Talk. I hope you all are having a great Tuesday. I asked for some mailbag questions on Twitter (follow me at @JacobCHatch if you weren’t already) and I am going to do my best to give you satisfactory answers.
First up,
Well, Logan, I don’t know if anything is in the pipeline officially, but I would hope that more upgrades are in the works. LaVell Edwards Stadium is nearly nearing 60 years in age, albeit its current setup was completed in 1982 (a mere 39 years ago). Stadiums have a shelf life and LES is in need of some additional revamping.
I’d like to see the boxes atop the west stands upgraded and I would recommend BYU actually add luxury boxes atop the east stands as well. It generates revenue, something I think we all can agree the Cougars could always use more of. Be it far from me to suggest that they look to Utah’s new south endzone as a blueprint for what to do in terms of upgrades, but they could use some ideas from the Utes.
Up next,
Braden, this is a good question. The limited glimpses of Jaren Hall in game action are really tantalizing. His first half against Utah State was absolutely electric. I am of the opinion that if Hall can replicate that level of play he showed against the Aggies every game, the Cougars aren’t going to to have that massive of a drop-off from Zach Wilson as many fear they might. I think the floor for a guy like Hall is a bowl eligible team with a ceiling that is TBD.
Next!
Good question, Blair. I know that Pepe Tanuvasa moved from linebacker into a hybdi pass-rusher role on the depth chart this offseason and it would not surprise me at all to see more guys moved. The 18-position (give or take) depth chart the coaching staff put out actually shows that the hybrid roles are plentiful on this team and you seen linebacker-types littered throughout the tweener roles it lists like “Jack,” “Rover,” & “Frodo.”
I think the versatility afforded to the coaching staff with the glut of talent at linebacker is something they are looking to utilize to a larger degree this fall.
Finally,
Jared, I think we’re on the track to pay-for-play at some point in the not-too-distant future. Yes, legit pay for play on the field at the college level. The Power 5 have autonomy from the NCAA already and this latest set of moves by Texas and Oklahoma indicate that they see something at least similar coming down the path.
Let me just add that I, for one, am all for players cashing into the fullest extent possible. If the NCAA, universities and coaches can benefit to the tune of billions (with a “B”), the players should get a fair share of that pie.
OK, this is really the last one:
We will make it happen soon, Jake. I promise. Just don’t ask for a deadline on when with fall camp starting up.
Thanks again for stopping by and we will talk soon!