Mars wrote:

My Question for Cruiser:

Any hint so far as to who our main kick & punt return-men will be?

Austin Collie? G Pittman? J.J. DiLuigi? Bryce (*shudder*) Mahuika? Maybe even Spencer Hafoka? Or perhaps a freshman??

I pray that somebody can effectively relieve Collie of all return duties. The prospect of losing our go-to receiver makes my stomach crave valium...

Mars,

Based on last fall, I think you are pretty dead on with the list. DiLuigi and Pittman both returned punts and kicks in practice. Other I'd add are Cortny Barton and Chambers.

Pwride wrote:

Based on last fall, I think you are pretty dead on with the list. DiLuigi and Pittman both returned punts and kicks in practice. Other I'd add are Cortny Barton and Chambers.

I don't know very much about Barton (what is his class year, position, height, weight, speed, where did he play in high school, how did he do, how did he make it to BYU, etc?), but the thought of Chambers returning makes me say "Oooh!" (in a good way).

Barton arrived last summer (had finished his associates so he could come right away) but ended up red-shirting this season. He will be a junior, 5'9 about 190 lbs. Here is an excerpt from an article I wrote when he committed to BYU:

BYU has recently added a new face (and some nice hair: #3 kneeling) in Cortny Barton (5′9 200), a walk-on from LA Harbor Junior College. At LA Harbor he played running back, wide receiver (H-back), defensive back and returned kicks and punts.

Barton reportedly runs at 4.5 and should be a welcome addition to the 2007 special teams squad.

Full article (including one sweet picture and video.) http://cougarlegion.com/2007/05/24/byus-newest-addition/

If I had to guess Bryce will continue to return punts, and he and Barton will probably return kicks. I don't think Bronco is going to want any freshman returning punts if he can avoid it. We might see one of those people on a kick return on occasion though.

Pwride wrote:

Barton arrived last summer (had finished his associates so he could come right away) but ended up red-shirting this season. He will be a junior, 5'9 about 190 lbs. Here is an excerpt from an article I wrote when he committed to BYU:

BYU has recently added a new face (and some nice hair: #3 kneeling) in Cortny Barton (5′9 200), a walk-on from LA Harbor Junior College. At LA Harbor he played running back, wide receiver (H-back), defensive back and returned kicks and punts.

Barton reportedly runs at 4.5 and should be a welcome addition to the 2007 special teams squad.

Full article (including one sweet picture and video.)
http://cougarlegion.com/2007/05/24/byus-newest-addition/

Nice picture. Looks like he could be a physical receiver.

Is #18 a balleria in the off season... Check out his power stance.