BYU Cougars

Could Warner be BYU's next star OLB?

Published Jul. 23, 2015 4:05 p.m. ET

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Over the years BYU has produced some strong outside linebackers, and sophomore Fred Warner is hoping to continue that trend in 2015.

Warner, 6-3, 220-pound sophomore, played in 10 games last season before getting hurt and is excited to get back on the field with his fellow Cougars.

"I feel like I'm progressing really well," Warner said at media day. "A lot of people don't know about my injuries, but both were iffy things where it was maybe they would heal and maybe they wouldn't. Luckily for me, they are healing perfectly.

“My strength is getting back, my speed is still there, my footwork is great. I think it will just take little steps to get back in fall camp and I'll be 100 percent from there."

BYU outside linebackers coach Kelly Poppinga said Warner, who returned an interception for a touchdown last year against Boise State, has plenty of potential, but it is up to him to make it it translate on game day.

"I think one of the reasons everyone is talking about Fred is because he did show some flashes last year," Poppinga told the Daily Herald. "But we've got to be fair to him and he's got to be fair to himself with the fact that he really hasn't played that much. The hype is high for this guy, so he's going to have to come out and prove to me, prove to his teammates, prove to himself as well that he is as good as everyone is making him out to be.

"... He prepares himself well. He loves the game and is passionate to learn. He loves to be a leader, loves to be vocal, loves to motivate the guys around him. But I'm interested to see how he reacts when we get into Nebraska."

Also expected to have a big impact this season is junior Sae Tautu, who is part of a diverse group of LB’s this year that has Poppinga excited.

"There have been a long line of good players," Poppinga told the Daily Herald. "But I feel good with the guys I have. I think when it comes right down to it, they are going to execute and make plays."

Poppinga said he can’t wait to punch the clock and get to work this season.

"I'm looking forward to working with a group of guys where the dynamic in that room -- I really haven't been able to work with a group of guys like the ones I'm going to work with this year," Poppinga told the Daily Herald. "We don't really have a senior. We have a bunch of younger guys who don't have a ton of experience, although there are three guys who do have experience."

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