A healthy Spring for So'oto

He came to BYU as a four-star recruit at tight end, then missed two complete seasons (2006 and 2008) thanks to hand and foot injuries. Finding himself behind guys named Dennis Pitta and Andrew George on the depth chart, he moved to the defensive side of the ball, first at linebacker and now on the defensive line. And now, for the first time since he’s been at BYU, it seems like sixth-year senior Vic So’oto is at home.

“I feel like a grandpa, but I’m excited to be back,” So’oto told me. “I’ve been injured a lot during my time here, but I’m healthy this year so I don’t have to focus on rehabilitation and those things. I do have to focus on learning a different position again, but that’s a good challenge. I’ve been working on the little things and getting my technique down so I can make an impact this year.”

The impact coaches and teammates hope to see is So’oto smashing into opposing quarterbacks. Lining up on the right end of the defensive line — the spot vacated by Jan Jorgensen — So’oto will see get planty of chances to do that if he can just stay healthy. At 6-foot-3 and 256 pounds — and with the agility to play tight end or linebacker — he gives the Cougar defensive line a strong physical presence He’s also one of the most vocal emotional leaders on a defense with several holes to fill.

“I think he had a chance to find his home at outside backer — he was starting against Northern Iowa two years ago and really playing well — but he got hurt and Coleby Clawson emerged,” head coach Bronco Mendenhall said. “Vic has been a starter for us, but nagging injuries have held him back. Hopefully he’ll stay healthy, and I think [the defensive line] will be a good spot for him.”

So’oto notched his first sack and had four other tackles for loss last season in limited playing time. I asked, but he wouldn’t tell me how many times he hopes to get to the quarterback this season.

“I have a number in mind, but it’s kind of a secret,” he said.

If the huge smile on his face meant anything, though, he plans to be in the opponent’s backfield a lot.

Here are a few other notes from practice:

Another O-line injury: Freshman offensive lineman Famika Anae suffered what appears to be a possible ACL injury, something he’s already suffered in both knees. The injury occurred on the second-team offense’s first play of scrimmage as freshman quarterback Jake Heaps dropped back to pass. Mendenhall quickly cancelled the scrimmage in favor of positional drills.

“It just makes me sick,” Mendenhall said about Anae’s injury. “I don’t think it’s avoidable. We had small offensive line numbers to start Spring and it didn’t look like it was anything other than he fell over another guy that was already on the ground. … Sometimes it just happens.”

The Cougars are now down to five healthy offensive linemen.

Hawkins in town: University of Colorado coach Dan Hawkins was at practice today, watching BYU’s drills and chatting with several coaches. Mendenhall said his presence was as a “professional visit.”

“Coach Hawkins and I know each other through our Nike endorsement contracts,” Mendenhall said. “He and I have formed a friendship and our wives have formed a friendship, so it’s just an exchange of ideas.”

Quarterback checkup: The scrimmages were short today and each quarterback got one shot at running the offense. Here’s how they did …

Nelson: Several successful hand-offs

Lark: 4-6, 46 yards

Heaps: 1-4, 20 yards

“Jake’s doing a really nice job,” Mendenhall said. “It’s hard to remember sometimes hat he’s a true freshman. … For him to be performing the way he is, I’ve been very, very impressed. Not to say that both James and Riley aren’t doing a good job — to me, just the thought that it’s a true freshman after five practices during the Spring and he has the poise and confidence and execution that he has so far is impressive.”

Chambers back at practice: Junior receiver O’Neill Chambers was back to full-participation at practice today. He was held out last week because of academic issues.

“He’ll be out as long as his academics stay strong,” Mendenhall said, “and hopefully that’s the rest of the Spring.”