key areas of focus you want to see from your receiver

group and the offense as a whole? Yeah, anytime you play a team that's identity is cover one first, playing a lot of man, it's win your matchup, make the play.

Obviously, schematically, we've got to do things that put those guys in position to increase their chances of making that play.

But it's a lot like Notre Dame.

They were a heavy cover one team, and those guys did a good job.

We started off fast and made some plays and got some momentum and confidence early that this is a good defense and they were stout statistically and held people to low yards and points.

So to march down the field, have completions early, winning one-on-one matchups was huge.

this game?

So what does it take to be a good punt returner? What type of mentality, what type of personality typically is prototypical of a punt returner?

Yeah, it's a super unique skill.

And unless you've been back there, I mean, there are so many factors than just, like, catching the ball that you see in the air.

I mean, especially in this day and age, there are so many different types of punts.

There's so many variables.

You know, the pocket changes.

These punters are a lot more skilled.

Speak to their development, and then we'll let you go.

So what does it take to be a good punt returner? What type of mentality, what type of personality typically is prototypical of a punt returner?

Yeah, it's a super unique skill.

And unless you've been back there, I mean, there are so many factors than just, like, catching the ball that you see in the air.

I mean, especially in this day and age, there are so many different types of punts.

There's so many variables.

You know, the pocket changes.

These punters are a lot more skilled.

Speak to their development, and then we'll let you go.

Mm

... and running backs, um, involved in the pass game.

Um, but in terms of my room, just really happy with the growth, the leadership, the maturity.

Those guys have stayed level-headed even though they haven't had those gaudy stats that a lot of receivers want.

They understood, they trusted the process, you know, that every game brought in different factors of maybe why we didn't, we didn't have all the stats.

And so I, I think we're gonna continue to see a lot of plays by them.

Mm-hmm

... or you're backed up and you have bad field position.

Yeah.

There are so many times and you and I have already talked about it.

There's countless examples of crossroads we hit in our lives and making decisions, um, that will send you down a path that you don't know about and you have to make a decision there.

And if you do not believe in yourself, if you do not reflect and look back, factor in all that you've gone through, why you're the way you are, what your superpowers are, all those things, you will have a hard time pulling the trigger.

And there are, and there are a lot, there's a lot you can miss out on with that.

And so I've definitely learned in this profession, you know, Even though I've only been in the state of Utah my whole career, I've seen it in those who I've interacted with in my circle.

You know, you have to make a decision that you feel great about and you cannot be influenced.

Um, all of the things, the NIL, you know, um, talk to me about that process and like what was appealing and then ultimately why'd

my

first year was 2018 independent.

The number of, you know, high profile recruits, you know, very, very low.

from that time to now, there's been a lot of changes in college football, even, even on our roster.

But one thing that has not changed is, is the culture of the program.

And, you know, Kalani being the head coach, you know, he's the first, Obviously, he's the face of the program, but he always just deflects to Lavelle, to Lavelle Edwards, who's his mentor.

But, you know, I have a unique insight to Kalani, you know, with my relationship and him being my brother.

And like compounded, like

How important is that for players to get here, to get ingrained, and get in the weight room, go through practice, all that type of

stuff? I think it's critical.

In this day and age, if you want to play early as a freshman, I think you've got to come in and do that.

And if you don't, it's not the end of the world.

And sure, you still have a chance to have some production, but I think you've given yourself the best chance by graduating early.

Now as a coaching staff or individually, there's some variables and circumstances that can change that.

Some kids want to play out a sport in the spring, or some kids are unable to academically.

I guess, what's the long-term potential of them, maybe this season, but also beyond that?

In what ways have you seen that show itself through practices?

Yeah, it's a great one.

Like, w- for example, and I, I'm speaking just to my room, but I think this, this spans across the entire team, we watched just today, because we had time in our meeting, every single pass concept that we, we have in, right? We got through 10 of them, and they were done chronological order from practice one to yesterday, and it was interesting.

Through every concept we watch, as we went along, all the nuances of, of the, of, of each play, you know, your split, your alignment, an adjustment you're supposed to make, just got better and better as that, as that went on, which you can only obviously just, just attribute that to j- the guys feeling more comfortable and confident in just, in just all, all that we're asking of them, and every rep that they get, um, matters.

And hopefully that just, you know, lends itself to great execution game one and throughout the season.

Give everybody an idea on how the receivers and that group, um, how they're looking now, and, and what you really anticipate from those guys this year.

Yeah.

I love the makeup of our room.

I, I think there's so much opportunity at that position really from top to bottom, like you said.

Yeah.

I think the guys, the...

It, it keeps them ambitious to realize that I don't have to be, like, the starting receiver and get X amount of targets a game.

Granted, they all want that, you know, they're all competitive.

But if, I think the guys understand, man, if I can just travel with the team and I'm a guy that they can rely on me to make a critical block, but it means I'm on the field for 10 to 15 plays a game, which means, you know, maybe, maybe five of those I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm blocking, but the others I have a chance to get the ball.

Like, that stuff is, is real.

What can you tell fans about both of those guys and, and how, how their fall camp has gone so far?

And I simply started off the interview by asking Fesi, what did he think of how his receivers performed in day one?

Great.

I felt great all through spring and all through summer.

I felt great.

And the message really was a reminder to the receivers because they've already heard it before is every single year someone has to step up.

It happened last year with Parker, the emergence of him and his production.

The year before, like everyone has to step up some, you know, a year.

Sure