Shortly after news came out on May 21 that projected starting quarterback Jake Retzlaff’s future at BYU was in serious jeopardy, BYU football coaches spoke to their respective position groups privately and reiterated the need for the team to stick together, and for leaders to emerge.
The fear that sparked those behind-the-scenes chats came to fruition last weekend, as Retzlaff acknowledged to several teammates that he is transferring instead of submitting to a seven-game suspension for violating the school’s honor code.
“I just like the mindset of the team. I like that they are still hungry and they are showing a lot of humility with how they approach the game.”
— BYU coach Kalani Sitake
At last week’s BYU Football Media Golf Classic, which sort of doubles as a football media day exclusively for BYU, head coach Kalani Sitake said that much-needed leadership continues to emerge. Several of those leaders will represent BYU at next week’s Big 12 football media days in Frisco, Texas: linebackers Jack Kelly and Isaiah Glasker, receiver Chase Roberts, running back LJ Martin and defensive tackle Keanu Tanuvasa.
Every team is different. Every team develops its own identity,” Sitake said. “Teams take after their leaders, and you are starting to see our leaders emerge
Sitake said the leaders aren’t necessarily guys who have been in the program for a long time.
For instance, Utah transfer Tanuvasa “was a leader from Day 1,” Sitake said, noting that the 6-foot-4, 300-pound redshirt junior from Mission Viejo, California, “only knows one way, and that is to be a leader.”
At the same event last week, Roberts said any of the three QBs now vying to be the starter — McCae Hillstead, Treyson Bourguet and even freshman Bear Bachmeier — have shown the ability to step up and be a leader.
“Chase Roberts has always been a leader for us, as well as Jack Kelly and Isaiah Glasker,” Sitake said. “All those guys have been leading the way. There are a lot of common things between this team and even last year’s team, and other teams we have had in the past.”
Sitake said some of those commonalities are complete buy-in, accountability to each other, and love for one another.
“Every team takes on its different identity. They start to formulate from the leaders and what the leaders expect and what they want from each other,” he said. “I am looking forward to seeing how it takes shape and how it all works together. I have been really pleased with how the players are working together and the things I am seeing from them in the offseason conditioning.”
Defensive coordinator Jay Hill said that the entire group of linebackers — led by Kelly, Glasker and probable middle linebacker starter Siale Esera — are leading the way on that side of the ball
