Depth Chart Number 8

In a halftime ceremony during the San Francisco 49ers game against the Patriots on October 5th the 49ers will retire the #8 jersey of the Hall Of Fame quarterback Steve Young. It's rather ironic that in 1981 he began his collegiate cougar career on the depth chart by the very same number, at number 8. Of the honor in his jersey being retired Young was quoted "It's a tremendous honor, there's no question about it". Steve currently ranks number 2 all time for rushing yards by a cougar quarterback (1,84 yards with 18 TDs only behind Virgil Carter). In 1983 he was a consensus All American, won the Davey O'Brien and Sammy Baugh Awards even finishing second in the Heisman Trophy Balloting. Overall Young threw for 56 TDs covering 7,733 yards as a Cougar eventually receiving a Juris Doctor JD from BYUs J Rueben Clark Law School. Back in 1994 Steve was given the honor of the BYU Athletic Hall Of Fame. It wasn't until 2001 when he was formally inducted into the College Football Hall Of Fame. At the season opener against Georgia Tech on August 28th 2003 Steve Young's jersey was retired at Lavell Edwards Stadium forever hanging in tribute to all his contributions to the program.

As a 49er Steve spent 13 seasons under center. In fact during the 94-95 seasons he took snaps from former Cougar Bart Oates who is also a lawyer which likely was the only time in NFL history one lawyer has snapped to another. Over the course of his NFL career Young was selected to seven consecutive Pro Bowls while compiling the highest in NFL history career passer rating. Steve was selected in 1999 by the Sporting News on their list of the 100 greatest players. He was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall Of Fame in 2005, the first left handed quarterback to be so honored. Steve is a two time league MVP who led the 49ers to its fifth NFL title in the 1995 Superbowl with a NFL record of 6 TD passes. After numerous concussions Young ultimately retired finishing an phenomenal career with over 33,000 passing yards and 232 TD passes. He currently works as an NFL analyst for ESPNs monday night football with Stuart Scott and Emmitt Smith. Always great to see a Cougar receive national recognition.

Surpassin Expectations

Earlier the Cougars received word of a commitment in one of the most highly recruited high school players in state history in Tyler Haws. After averaging 9 ppg as a freshman Tyler broke out his sophomore year doubling his average to 18 a game leading the state in free throws (129 while shootin nearly 82 percent from the stripe) and led his Lone Peak Knights to a state championship. Haws was named tournament MVP and this last year was named Utah's Mr. Basketball. As a junior he averaged nearly 21 points a game. Tyler was also named the Utah Gatorade Player Of The Year.

Haws has met and surpassed all expectations at the high school level. Tyler is obviously well known for his scoring ability. Just ask Davis High School. Yet, haws also owns an amazing vertical leap; is a phenomenal team player, has icewater in the veins under pressure, possesses all the intangibles, is humble and coachable. That's frankly just barely scratching his developmental surface. Tyler has excellent perimeter range to about 20 feet. He will score mostly off the catch and shoot. Haws has a solid frame with a fairly large wingspan and who can defend well. It doesn't hurt that he's Marty's kid either. This was a must get for BYU especially when you have an individual who's "the complete package" in your own backyard and is the son of a former Cougar. Welcome to the Cougar den. Absolutely look forward to seeing you in Cougar blue!

El Dorado Compadre

From El Dorado Hills' Oak Ridge High School Brett Thompson (6.3/210) has given the Cougs a verbal in becoming the 14th recruit in the 2009 recruiting class. The california 3 star (according to scout.com) wide receiver has amazing size and has a strong build for working in an underneath passing offense. Brett should fit rather nicely into the football program. Thompson has the ability to catch passes in heavy traffic while working the middle. Of the recruiting process Brett said "It's a place I always wanted to go and it's a great fit for me personally so I decided not to prolong the process". He hails from the same high school that produced Austin Collie. Apparently Thompson has been dating Austin's sister. He mentioned of Austin "He's a great player and tremendous example on and off the field". Welcome to the Cougars and look forward to seeing you in a blue jersey!

Just For Kicks

Most individuals tend to always think a teams kicker is always some nerdy and scrawny individual resembling "Mclovin". At 6.1/215 Justin Sorensen one of this years recruits from Bingham HS would moreso resemble a linebacker. He benches 330 pounds, squats 500 and cleans 330. Justin began playing in 8th grade and grew up in a Cougar household 8 of 9 children (all beginning with the letter "J"). He is an eagle scout, maintained a 3.4 GPA in high school and is even an avid unicyclist. Sorensen wears a size 13.5 shoe has an amazing leg. As a junior (2006) with 96 kickoffs 81 were touchbacks (that's about 85 percent unreturnable!) for over 6700 total kickoff yards. Last year he hit 50+ yard field goals four times with 54 of 55 PATs. In fact drilled a 62 yard field goal with no wind aid breaking a 37 year old state prep record. The NFL record stands at 63 yards. He was the nation's third highest scoring kicker in 2007. His coach Dave Peck mentioned "Alot of people don't realize that Justin is kicking off grass". Justin elected of not using tees to get ready for the next level. Cougar fans everywhere should definately get a kick out of watching him.

Behind The Scenes

With over 100 athletes listed on the football team in one way or another keeping track of all the equipment would be an absolutely incredible task. Taking care of laundry is one thing. Seeing each player is suited up and ready to go is something entirely different. Every player typically is covered from head to toe with some sort of equipment on game day for maximum allowed protection. That task would begin long before that particular matchup. Such an individual would be required to order and schedule delivery of customized jerseys (both practice and gameday); helmets, arm bands, mouthguards, chin straps, gloves, skull caps (do-rags), facemasks, shoulder pads, cleats, etc months in advance. The equipment manager would be required to keep extras on hand and know how to make product repairs on site in a moments notice (allowing the player to be available and ready to go for the maximum amount of time). Your equipment manager would need to know the players and their certain preferences as well. Such an individual for the Cougs is Mick Hill who has been with the department since 1981. Mick even has to manage all the logistics (travel time for away games) and road inventory with backup plans in advance. Next time you see the Cougars all decked out in their gear from head to toe don't forget to give a high five to the guy behind the scenes who made it all possible.

Austin 4:18

Typically known for his famous bold statement "When you're living right and doing the right things on and off the field I think the Lord steps in and plays a part. Magic happens." Austin Collie has what it takes to back it up on 4th and 18 or even off the field regardless of his role. Collie comes from an athletic family. His father Scott played for the Cougs back 1979-82 (and later for the Hamilton Tiger Cats). While his brother Zac wore the blue from 2003-6 and spent some time with the Philadelphia Eagles. Austin was a freshman All American in 2004 catching 8 TDs from John Beck. Last season he ripped off 100+ yards in 5 of the last 6 contests including the Las Vegas Bowl victory over UCLA. In fact, Collie racked up 366 all purpose yards against Tulsa breaking a 35 year old school record previously held by Pete Van Valkenburg (306 all purpose yards in a 33-14 victory over Wyoming back in 1972). Last season Austin has been simply magic as a WR and even averaged over 25 yards per kick return. He is definately a deep threat who seems to be able to get open at will. It was quite recently reported he has a minor stress fracture just below his right kneecap and there will be likely more news to follow shortly with the situation to be monitered closely. Assuming Collie heals quickly expect yet another big year this time with double digit TDs and over 1000+ yards. Here's to a speedy full recovery for if it weren't for Austin 4:18 this blog wouldn't be possible!

Sometimes Called Janimal

Meet Jan Jorgensen. Sometimes he's called "The Janimal". At 6.3/260 he's definately an absolute beast to block against. Back in the HS days Jan was listed at 6.3/235 as a two time 3A First Team All State DE (Helper UT) but was recruited as a linebacker. As a senior at Carbon HS Jorgensen won the 3A state wrestling championship. Although, early in his HS career Jan actually signed with the team up north. However, after McBride got fired he waivered and went with Kentucky. After his mission Jan decided this was the place. Football runs in the family. His older brother also played for the school up north as a TE while his father Jeff played as an Aggie. As a freshman Jan was named Freshman All American by the Sporting News. He started at DE in all 13 contests and was a significant contributer to a "D" that only gave up 14.7pts/game ranking 10th nationally. That same defense also ranked 4th nationally in turnover margin. In 2008 look for "The Janimal" to be constantly double teamed after dominating as a sophomore with 14 sacks.