Saturday, July 23, 2016

Top Ten Players of the Bronco Mendenhall Era at BYU

At this time of year where real football news is so sparse, it's fun to reflect on the highlights of yesteryear. This is my list of the top ten BYU football players during the Bronco Mendenhall era.  Feel free to comment with any players you think I missed. Let's get started:

#10. Jan Jorgensen


The Janimal was a four year starter at defensive end, and his career was truly electrifying. Jan's sophomore campaign was particularly exciting as he set MWC records for both sacks and tackles in a season. Even though he was not able to eclipse those marks in subsequent seasons Jorgensen was still a force to be reckoned with from start to finish at BYU. 

#9. Cody Hoffman
Cody Hoffman missed only two games in his four years at BYU and will go down as one of the most reliable sets of hands any BYU quarterback has ever had to throw to.  He finished his career as BYU's all time leader in all-purpose yards, games with 100+ receiving yards, career receiving yards, and career receiving touchdowns.  Cody caught a pass in every game where he stepped on the field for BYU.

#8. Max Hall
Max came to BYU as a relatively unknown player and left as the quarterback with the most wins in BYU history. As a three year starter he never missed a game, never had a season with fewer than 10 wins, and is the last Cougar QB to end his career with a winning record against Utah. 

#7. Bronson Kaufusi
If there was one D-line man during Bronco's tenure who had pro potential from day one it was Bronson Kaufusi. With the height and reach to swat passes, the strength to bull rush offensive tackles and the speed to chase down opposing quarterbacks and running backs Kaufusi seemed to always find a way to throw a wrench in opposing teams offensive game plan. With Kaufusi's talent and tools it's no wonder the Baltimore Ravens have been so high on him through rookie training camp. 

#6. Curtis Brown
Curtis Brown's career at BYU was one to be remembered.  As three year starter Brown finished his career with two 1,000 yard seasons and a career average of 5.0 yards per carry.  By the time his time in the Cougar backfield was finished he was BYU's all-time rushing yards leader and one of the most beloved to ever don the white and blue of BYU.

#5. Kyle Van Noy
Kyle Van Noy will go down as one of the best linebackers in Cougar history. A truly dangerous edge rusher with serious ball skills and a nose for the end zone (yes as a linebacker) it's no wonder he will go down as one of the biggest play-makers to ever line up on defense for  BYU. 

# 4. Harvey Unga


Harvey Unga was one of the most reliable running backs BYU has ever had line up in the backfield. He had the whole package. He had just enough speed, plenty of strength, steady hands, reliable receiving skills, good blocking and a nose for holes in the line. It's no wonder by the end of his junior season he already held every rushing record in the Cougars record book. There is no doubt if he had been able to stay at BYU for his senior season he would have put most of those records out of a reach for years to come. 


#3. Dennis Pitta


There is no doubt that Dennis Pitta was the best tight end of the Bronco Mendenhall era. He set the NCAA record for most career receiving yards by a tight end and will go down as one of the many greats to play tight end at BYU.

#2. John Beck
John Beck's career at BYU started off turbulently, but he sure made up for it in the end. Each season Beck set new career bests for passing yards, passing touchdowns, and QBR. He also managed to win every conference game his senior year. He capped his BYU career off with his incredible final play touchdown pass to Johnny Harline to beat Utah followed by walloping Oregon in the 2006 Las Vegas Bowl.

#1. Austin Collie
There is no question that Austin Collie was the best wide reciver BYU has ever had, period.  At the end of his junior season, his final at BYU,  he held BYU's all-time record in every meaningful receiving statistic.  Collie had speed, strength, hands stickier than pine tar, and great rout running making him the whole package. Cougar fans will never blame him for leaving early to the NFL, but they will always wonder what could have been if he stayed in Provo his senior season.

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