BYU Cougars Football: 7 Defensive Players to Watch

Last year was a BYU football season which was frustrating, confusing, and later elating.To steal from, and mangle Dickens, it was bad times, then the worst of times, then pretty OK times.

And the turning point came when Bronco Mendenhall took over the defense.

Fast-forward to this summer, and the Cougars come into the 2011 season with high hopes for a defensive unit which, under Mendenhall's instruction began delivering solid performances and showed tremendous hustle and effort.

Here are seven players from that unit to watch as you see their names as they lower shoulders into opposing offenses.

In no particular order, of course. Be sure to follow Twitter.com/SportsGuyUtah for more.

Kyle Van Noy

Kyle Van Noy came out of nowhere as a freshman last year, filling a void left by injury and soft play to become an obvious leader on defense.

The now-sophomore is 6’3" and 220, and standing next to Jordan Pendleton and Jadon Wagner should intimidate opposing RBs and TEs.

Jordan Pendleton

Jordan Pendleton

Although his time last year was limited by injury, linebacker Jordan Pendleton recorded 38 total tackles in just five starts. This year, the 6’3 Senior from South Jordan anchors a linebacking corps that returns four starters and showed heart, skill and even speed after Bronco Mendenhall took over the defense last year mid-season.

Jadon Wagner

Jadon Wagner

Wagner, interestingly enough, was actually drafted by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the 6^th round of the CFL draft back in May. He was electing at that time to leave BYU after his junior season. However, shortly thereafter decided to return to join the Cougar linebackers as the final piece in what might be BYU’s left-to-right  most solid line this decade   

Jameson Frazier

Jameson Frazier was voted by his peers as a team captain, exhibiting leadership, heart and intensity which rubs off on fellow LBs and the defense as a whole.

The senior from Draper, Utah has been named to the Lott Trophy watchlist.  

Romney Fuga

Romney Fuga

Romney Fuga (#98) is, stated plainly, a beast. The 6’3, 300+ pound defensive tackle from southern California looked to be a huge factor in last year’s defense until he was forced to have season-ending surgery after a knee injury against Nevada early last season.

Of Fuga, Bronco Mendenhall said: "He's consistently doing exactly what he's supposed to do — not only during practice but also during the game. He added a sense of composure and experience to our team. He's played, in my opinion, as good as any nose tackle since I've been here as I've been the head coach."

Matt Putnam

Matt Putnam recorded 31 tackles and two sacks last year, getting minutes in all 13 games.

This year Putnam should give opposing QBs fits with his huge 6’6" stature, batting balls and blocking downfield views.

The 271-pound senior is from Brigham City.

Travis Uale

There’s no doubt Bronco Mendenhall's defensive secondary has more concerns than experience coming into 2011. The one guy who brings known solid gameplay, however, is free safety Travis Uale.

The senior from Kamehameha High School in Hawaii recorded 42 tackles last season as a senior, starting in nine games. At 6’2" he brings a little height not seen at DB at BYU in some time.