"After eight months, it's finally here. I'm pumped."

It seems like forever (246 days, but who's counting?) since the Cougars walked out of Sam Boyd Stadium with a skin-of-their-teeth 17-16 win over UCLA in the Las Vegas Bowl. BYU fans have been entertaining themselves by speculating on everything from Max Hall's helmet choice to who the Cougars would play in a BCS bowl game. College football analysts have talked (and wrote) themselves blue in the face breaking down what "might" happen in 2008.

Finally, college football is here. BYU will open with Northern Iowa in six days.

To follow along with head coach Bronco Mendenhall's philosophy, we'd like to make a clean break from Fall Camp 2008. So, on to the superlatives ...

• Fall Camp Offensive MVP: Sr. WR Michael Reed

With Austin Collie resting his stress fracture, Reed was Max Hall's No. 1 option through fall camp. When he was a freshman, Reed said he wanted to lead the league in receptions. Don't think that'll happen because BYU spreads the ball around. But he's proven he can make big plays.

• Fall Camp Defensive MVP: Jr. CB Scott Johnson

One of my favorite moments of fall camp came last week. The offense spent a couple of days schooling the offense, and Johnson got beat a couple of times deep. After a day off from practice, Johnson responded by making two terrific plays the next day to prevent long passes. Mendenhall calls him "completely trustworthy," and the guy continues to hold off challengers.

• Biggest Surprise, Offense: Jr. RB Wayne Latu

Mendenhall has been very complimentary of the "Train," talking about how he's hard to tackle running the ball. Latu has some speed and some pop and could make an impact, even with the depth at running back.

• Biggest Surprise, Defense: Fr. LB Jadon Wagner

Wagner looked awkward and unsure of himself last season when he came home off his LDS mission. This fall he's steadily moved up the depth chart and, with his big frame, could turn into a playmaker.

• Biggest overall surprise of Fall Camp: Wide receiver Austin Collie's training at the quarterback spot. Slowed by a stress fracture, Collie has been pretty much a non-factor during fall camp. Then on Friday, he's suddenly working out with the quarterbacks. Mendenhall said the Cougars actually installed a scheme during the latter part of the 2007 season that featured Collie as a situational quarterback but never used it.

• Biggest non-story of Fall Camp: The blowup between Jordan Pendleton and defensive coordinator Jaime Hill.

Really, is this all we have to talk about during fall camp? If my high school coach had said to me what Pendleton said to Hill, that would have been the nicest name he'd ever called me.

• Most Improved Player, Offense: Fr. RB J.J. DiLuigi

An injury slowed DiLuigi's progress as a true freshman but he's worked hard and has been quick and powerful during fall camp. There will be some big plays for him in this offense behind Harvey Unga.

• Most Improved Player, Defense: So. S Andrew Rich and Jr. LB Coleby Clawson

Rich was a little overwhelmed during spring (by his own admission) and started slowly during fall camp. But now he's the No. 3 safety behind David Tafuna and Kellen Fowler. Clawson, also from Snow College, followed the same path. Now he's being trained at both outside linebacker spots.

• Biggest Transformation: Jr. NT Russell Tialavea

A season-ending injury last fall was tough on Tialavea, who according to Mendenhall, never had the strongest work ethic. But the junior worked his tail off (literally, he lost 30 pounds during his rehab) and showed up to camp a different player.

• Biggest Disappointment I: Injury to Tom Sorensen

Sorensen was slated to start at center but has shoulder problems that won't go away. One of the nicest guys on the team, it's tough because he had an injury that kept him out of 2006, too.

• One man's tragedy ... The only good news about Sorensen's injury is it allows redshirt freshman Matt Reynolds to get on the field. BYU coaches decided to move All-MWC left tackle Dallas Reynolds to center and put his younger brother in his tackle spot. Matt Reynolds may be BYU's most talented lineman ever by the time he finishes his career.

• Biggest Disappointment II: Injury to Kelly Bills

What is it with the Bills' and concussions? Older brother K.C. had similar problems that forced him to give up football. BYU was counting on Bills to provide some tough blocking at fullback.

• One man's tragedy ... BYU turns to Vakapuna and redshirt freshman Kaneakua Friel to fill the fullback spot, already thin because of Manase Tonga's grade problems.

• Best Play of Fall Camp, Offense: O'Neill Chambers' one-handed catch deep down the sideline for a touchdown while holding off a defender with the other hand.

• Best Play of Fall Camp, Defense: Brandon Bradley's athletic, gravity-defying interception on a pass from Max Hall.

• Best Returned Missionary, Defense: Jr. LB Matt Ah You

The former Lone Peak star has been a rock since coming back and moved past Shawn Doman at inside linebacker. Ah You has been dinged up a bit toward the end of camp but has been impressive.

• Best Returned Missionary, Offense: So. WR Luke Ashworth

Ashworth looks smooth and fast as both a receiver and a kick returner. There was some talk this summer about moving him to safety but he's at the right spot now.

• Play This Guy Somewhere I: Fr. QB Stephen Covey

I know Covey isn't your typical college quarterback, but he's been able to move the team when given a chance in scrimmages. Mendenhall said he may have a spot for Covey in certain situations as a running quarterback. Maybe BYU should try him at slotback or safety at some point. He's too good an athlete to keep off the field.

• Play This Guy Somewhere II: Jr. DE Bernard Afutiti

The JC transfer was late arriving at fall camp and Mendenhall said he didn't think he would be able to catch up. Then Afutiti started blowing by offensive linemen and made Mendenhall go, "Hmm." This is a guy who was offered by some big schools out of high school and BYU was lucky to get him.

• Best True Freshman: WR O'Neill Chambers

Some freshman just don't live up to the hype, having trouble adjusting to the college game. Not Chambers. He's all that and a bag of chips. He has terrific hands and body control, and if he's a good student under Collie, could be a record setter.

• Best Quote I: "It had way too much violence for me, and it was about an hour too long. I would give it maybe two-and-a-half stars." -- Mendenhall's film critique on the new Batman movie.

• Best Quote II: "I started out fifth string. I was just getting beat up by guys like Scott Young (Philadelphia Eagles) and Fahu Tahi (Minnesota Vikings). I'm serious, I got beat up, just put on my back. I had to question myself: 'Am I really cut out for this?' " -- BYU junior linebacker Matt Bauman, who has gone from walk-on to starter.

• Daily Herald Sports Editor Darnell Dickson can be reached at 344-2555 or by e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it Read his blog on BYU football at cougarblue.com