
Of all of the excellent receivers on BYU’s 2022 soccer roster, just one is certainly shifting on after the upcoming season.
That might be fifth-year senior Gunner Romney, the 6-foot-2 playmaker from Chandler, Arizona, who shocked a bunch of parents final winter when he determined to return to BYU for yet one more go-round. Romney is the one senior in passing sport coordinator and receivers coach Fesi Sitake’s receivers room.
Brayden Cosper has additionally been in this system since 2018, however he’s listed as a redshirt junior as a result of he missed all of final yr with a fractured wrist.
“I couldn’t actually inform you what the long run holds. As a lot as I wish to play professional soccer, I gotta get to the season first and go from there. Hopefully, I could make it by means of the season wholesome and we win ball video games. When your crew does effectively, all people appears good.” — BYU receiver Puka Nacua.
The group is about 15 robust, with the subsequent most completed receiver being junior Puka Nacua, who stated at BYU soccer media day in June that he’s nonetheless undecided whether or not this will probably be his final season as a collegian.
“I couldn’t actually inform you what the long run holds,” Nacua stated. “As a lot as I wish to play professional soccer, I gotta get to the season first and go from there. Hopefully I could make it by means of the season wholesome and we win ball video games. When your crew does effectively, all people appears good.”
Nacua caught 43 passes for 805 yards and 6 touchdowns in 12 video games final yr after transferring from Washington. Hamstring points and different well being setbacks brought on a gradual begin, however as soon as the previous four-star recruit received going, he was just about unstoppable.
Romney logged solely 10 video games because of damage however nonetheless had 34 catches for 594 yards and three touchdowns.
He stated in June that he got here again to nice tune his sport, but additionally to be part of one other profitable season.
“One of many most important issues I’ve been engaged on this offseason is getting a extra explosive first step, whether or not that’s off the road (of scrimmage) or popping out of my breaks,” he stated. “I believe that’s the No. 1 a part of my sport that wants enchancment.”
After the primary follow of preseason coaching camp final Thursday, Romney stated he feels nice and has completed all he may do the previous seven months to get wholesome and keep that manner.
He additionally raved concerning the group’s depth.
“I believe we have now one of many deepest rooms that we have now had since I’ve been right here,” Romney stated. “I believe you may return seven or eight deep and any a type of guys may hop on the sector and contribute, in order that’s one in every of our strengths, for certain.”
Sitake, the top coach’s cousin, stated at media day that redshirt sophomore Keanu Hill is the third beginning receiver, having solidified that standing with a robust spring camp final March.
The 6-foot-4 Hill caught 18 passes for 343 yards and two touchdowns final season, showing in all 13 video games.
“Keanu simply has probably the most confirmed reps on the sector,” Sitake stated. “That doesn’t imply it will keep that manner. As at all times, it’s up for competitors, however he has solidified the precise to be that third man headed into Sport 1.”
Romney stated Hill is devoted to his craft and desperate to dwell as much as the billing that accompanied him out of Texas because the son and nephew of some former faculty {and professional} soccer greats, Lloyd and Roy Williams.
“Kebo is absolutely coming into his personal as a route runner,” Romney stated. “I believe earlier than he was simply sort of utilizing his athleticism and his huge physique, however I believe he’s getting just a little extra fine-tuned with the craft of being a receiver.”
Romney stated meaning doing the little issues to get separation on the line of scrimmage.
“He’s getting extra assured. That’s one factor with the expertise he has underneath his belt now. He is aware of what it takes to be a profitable receiver at this stage, and I believe he’s working at that,” Romney stated.
Nacua stated that he and Romney are sometimes known as huge receivers, however “Kebo is greater than each of us, being 6-4 and over 200 kilos.”
A brand new NCAA rule allowed coaches to spend two hours per week with gamers within the offseason, so Sitake is a little more aware of his group than in earlier years — particularly the newcomers.
Former Roy Excessive star Parker Kingston, Kyson Corridor out of Maple Mountain Excessive (Jaren Corridor’s brother), Floridian Dom Henry and Preston Rex (tight finish Isaac Rex’s brother) had been the brand new faces within the receivers room over the summer season.
Nonetheless, Preston Rex was with the defensive backs Thursday and Henry, regardless of listed as a defensive again on the autumn camp roster, has been a receiver in camp.
“We have now lots of younger guys which might be going to be pushing to play on a weekly foundation, and enjoying,” Sitake stated. “It isn’t only a competitors between (Hill) and the remainder of these guys.
“I wish to play as many as need to play with out disrupting the movement of any particular person within the group.”
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