Five Players That Stood Out During Spring Football

Spring practices ended prematurely due to COVID-19, but that didn't keep these players from standing out

It feels like an entire year has passed since BYU cancelled spring practices. In reality, just under two months have passed since the NBA shut down and the rest of the country, including BYU football, followed suit. Even though BYU practices ended prematurely, it’s time to look back and reflect on the five players that stood out during the limited spring practices.

Before we get started, it’s important to point out two things:

1. A player “standing out” doesn’t necessarily mean they are the best player. It simply means that their performance stood out during the very limited media availability.
2. Media availability was limited to 20 minutes per practice and the media only saw 3 practices before spring ball was cancelled. Lots of BYU’s best players won’t appear on this list – BYU sat some established players during media availability, especially on defense.

Let's get started!

1. Isaac Rex – Tight End

Matt Bushman is the undisputed starter at Tight End for BYU in 2020. Isaac Rex, however, made a very strong case to be the second-string Tight End as a Redshirt Freshman in 2020. Rex was consistently productive during media availability. Rex uses all of his 6’6 frame to impact the game as a blocker and a receiver. He was a matchup nightmare for smaller Defensive Backs.

2. Zach Wilson – Quarterback 

Head coach Kalani Sitake clarified that the competition for starting Quarterback was wide open entering the spring. With his starting spot up for grabs, Zach Wilson was very impressive. Zach was consistently on time and on target with his throws and showed major improvements in the redzone. Most notably, Zach didn’t throw an interception during media availability.

3. Troy Warner – Safety 

You could argue that Troy Warner was the MVP on defense. Warner finally looked healthy after suffering a lisfranc injury in 2017. Warner looked like the player he was recruited to be and the player he was prior to injury. Warner intercepted a Jaren Hall pass on the first day of spring, and he nearly intercepted a slant route during goal line segment. BYU needs help at Safety in 2020 and Warner looks capable of filling that role.

4. Fisher Jackson – Defensive End 

Fisher Jackson committed to BYU as a WR/S PWO during the 2019 recruiting cycle. He joined the program this January as a Defensive End. Jackson's sheer size and athleticism stood out during spring ball - he is listed at 6'5, 252 lbs. Jackson will need some time to develop given his inexperience at Defensive End, but he absolutely fits the physical mold of a rush end.

5. Alema Pilimai – Defensive End

Alema Pilimai switched from Tight End to Defensive End after one week of spring football. Pilimai only ran with the DL for one media availability, but his length and quickness immediately jumped out. Pilimai was very disruptive in his limited action. Pilimai looked like a natural fit at DE. 

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