Fabulous? Freshman Contributions for the Brigham Young Cougars

The 2010 recruiting class for the Brigham Young Cougars was the best in a long time. By the time the 2010 season kicked off, it was apparent that many freshman from this recruiting class, as well as redshirt and return missionary freshman, would play significant minutes for BYU this year. Coming off the bye week, I thought it was a good time to look at how the freshmen are contributing through the first eight games.

OFFENSE
Joshua Quezada, RB
37 carries, 159 yards (4.3 yards per carry)
5 receptions, 29 yards, 1 TD

Jake Heaps, QB
120-229 (52.4%), 1,057 yards, 2 TD, 7 Int., 87.9 Pass Efficiency

Cody Hoffman, WR
21 receptions, 198 yards, 1 TD
4 kick off returns, 135 yards

JD Falslev, WR
6 punt returns, 46 yards
5 kick off returns, 117 yards

Marcus Matthews, WR
7 receptions, 127 yards

Richard Wilson, TE
3 receptions, 45 yards
All were in the first game.

Mike Muehlmann, TE
4 receptions, 48 yards
1 kick off return, 11 yards

Devin Mahina, TE
3 receptions, 31 yards

Austin Holt, TE
1 reception, 2 yards

Ross Apo, WR
Injured his hand after the first game, will seek medical redshirt.

Drew Phillips, RB
Redshirting. Shining on the scout team.

Cody Hoffman gets my vote for offensive freshman of the year, at this point. He is tied with McKay Jacobson for most receptions by a wide receiver, and he only trails Jacobson by 3 yards for most receiving yards by a wide out. Luke Ashworth is the only other wide receiver to have a touchdown reception. The receiving corps was supposed to be a bright spot on offense; instead, Hoffman has been the bright spot in the receiving corps.

While more is needed from Heaps, I would say the only major disappointment regarding offensive freshmen would be at the tight end spot. The team really needed one of these four to step up and continue BYU's legacy at this position. No one has been able to do it yet, and the season is two-thirds over.

DEFENSE
Kyle Van Noy, LB
Played in all 8 games (2 starts)
19 tackles (13 unassisted, 6 assisted)
4 tackles for a loss for 22 yards
1 sack for 9 yards
2 forced fumbles

Zac Stout, LB
Played in 7 games
14 tackles (7 assisted, 7 unassisted)
1 tackle for a loss for 2 yards

Jray Galea’i, DB
Played in all 8 games
4 tackles (4 unassisted)
1 fumble recovery

Thomas Bryson, DE
Played in 7 games
2 tackles (2 unassisted)
1 pass breakup
1 quarterback hurry

Graham Rowley, DE
Played in 3 games.
1 quarterback hurry.

Kyle Van Noy is clearly the defensive freshman of the year, so far. As I said after the Wyoming game, I like his chances to be a freshman All-American. He has the 11th most tackles on the team, the 3rd most tackles for a loss, 2nd most yards lost, tied for 4th in sacks, and tied with Andrew Rich for most forced fumbles.

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