BYU Football: Harvey Unga explains the task of replacing Tyler Allgeier

Harvey Unga has a real mission this spring, summer and fall to find a replacement for Tyler Alleiger, the most productive, scoring player in the nations.

Allgeier, a former walk-on, came to Provo as a rough diamond and leaves the BYUs program one of the school’s all-time highs. The respect he earned from teammates, coaches and fans is off the list.

Bleacher’s report is Allgeier ranked No. 38 in the upcoming NFL draft, third defender after Michigans Kenneth Walker (26th) and Iowas Breece Hall (36th).

Now Unga is trying to find a replacement among Lopini Kato, Miles Davis, Jackson McChesney, Sione Finau and others. BYU has just signed the parent transfers of Christopher Brooks (California) and Houston Heimul (Stanford).

Unga said she was blessed to work and coach Alleiger. According to many observations, Allgeier reminds Unga of his game days. Allgeier set a one-season fast record for BYU at 1,606 yards, surpassing Luke Staleys’ efforts in 2001.

It was fun, but his success was largely related to tearing the line of attack, wide receivers, and all his butt and doing his job, Unga said. He doesn’t do all those touchdowns without those guys.

Unga said she is still trying to figure out who to add and how to use them.

We have friends who have shown what they can do. Tyler worked hard to get to where he was on our team. He literally came out of nowhere and made his mark, Unga said, hinting that the next guy would hopefully do the same, as far as just stepping up.

My job is to coach and develop them.

When Unga was asked to describe the personality and atmosphere of her team room and what made it embroider, Unga said she has one word on her desk and that is the basis for what she asks and wants from everyone in the room.

That word is selfless.

It sounds weird, but selfless; it is one of the biggest things we preach in our room is selflessness, Unga said. This game has not been won or by a single friend. It’s about everyone doing their part for us.

I always tell our friends if they do their part, everyone else does their part and everything comes back. I appreciate it in our room. Everyone has bought that idea.

That was the backbone of Allgeier’s work.

Unselfish is one thing, another is versatility (running, blocking, catching). Whenever someone was called, they stepped forward and did their part, Unga said. I am proud to make sure we are the best blocking teams in the country, whether it is a run-in, a pass or a ball capture from the backfield.

I try to prevent them all from being one-dimensional backs. They must have a multi-purpose backrest.

In the transitions, Brooks and Heimuli Unga say they are excited about what they bring to the room and the team because they have been around the block, are experienced, mature and know how to work.

I love those guys, Unga said. They are awesome, awesome people. Awesome characters. I get a good idea of ​​how they are team type types in terms of their skills and challenges and more. I’m excited for them. I think both bring a lot to the table. They are really, really good.

Chris is a great runner. He does a lot of great things. And then in Houston, he has the same thing, a healthier version of Masen Wake. He is athletic, strong, fast and really smart with a high IQ in football. He’s just a good, solid leader.

Unga just finished her second term as a full-time member of the Kalani Sitakes football staff. As a Cougar player, he set his career rush record at 3,455 yards over three seasons, averaging 5 yards per pass.

He was taken by the Chicago Bears in the seventh round of the 2010 NFL Supplement draft. As a Sitake assistant graduated in 2016, he has coached runners, receivers and the offensive line.

He remains humble about his coaching history, even though he works with Allgeier and Jamaal Williams on his resume.

I’m still learning. I don’t think I’ll ever stop learning, Unga said. They have so many different things and different nuances in the game that I learn every year, different tricks, but I love it.

I love working and coaching with Kalan and Aaron Roderick, and it has been a huge blessing for me and my family. I am grateful that Kalani gave me this opportunity and I have tried to make the most of it and do my best.

I will continue to learn and grow. It has parts that I still struggle with and try to get an idea of, but I love working. I love being with the team and the players and am grateful for the opportunity.

In an interview with Unga on Friday, he was on his way to a Salt Lake City hospital to pay tribute to the family of former Utah runner Matt Asiata, whose son Ephraim is fighting for his life after being shot (the suspect is 14 years old).

The incident cost the lives of two of his friends, 15-year-old Paul Tah and 14-year-old Tivani Lopat. All were footballers at Hunter High School, and the tragedy has crushed the Polynesian community in Utah.

It will kill me, said Unga from Tonga.

When I saw the names and heard the whole thing, my heart fell and my stomach felt nauseous. Since I have children now and I’m just settling into their position, I can’t imagine what they’re going through. Just the feeling of helplessness that you can’t do anything about it. It will kill me.

Speaking of which, the suddenly planned interview about his work to replace Allgeier seemed somehow irrelevant.

It is a reminder of how precious but fragile a whole life can be.