Why return of Darius Lassiter boosts underdog BYU's chances against SMU

PROVO — BYU football's best position group is set to present an even better and deeper unit when it travels to take on SMU on Friday.

Senior wide receiver Darius Lassiter returns to the lineup after sitting out Saturday due to waver restrictions mandated by the NCAA regarding his transfer from Eastern Michigan last season.

"I'm ready to go this week," Lassiter said. "I'm excited and ready to get into the game plan."

Offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick is no doubt excited, as well, and ready to employ the player offensive coaches have labeled as "The Standard" among the competing receivers within the program.

Indeed, the 6-foot-2, 210-pound wideout came on strong during his initial season at BYU, catching 29 passes for 365 yards and four touchdowns despite being limited due to a knee injury late in the year, and has worked to improve upon that form the following offseason.

"If he said it then it must be true," Lassiter said regarding his coach's praise. "But I just have to keep building on that. I know that's just a stepping point … and I just have to be the same person I was throughout fall camp this season for the team."

With regards to being labeled as his position group's standard, Lassiter was quick to credit one contributing factor above all others.

"I feel like that's all the work I've put in coming together," Lassiter said. "It's an honor that he can look at me and say that this is the guy I want the other guys to look up to and kind of corral around. And I'm blessed to even be in this position to where I can have the opportunity to showcase my skills."

His overall knowledge and experience within BYU's offensive system should also prove a big benefit.

"I just think it's my understanding of the playbook, and I'm executing it way fast now," Lassiter said. "I'm not even thinking about the plays. I just go out there and execute it."

Rave reviews from the sidelines

BYU produced 348 yards through the air in Saturday's 41-13 win over Southern Illinois, with Lassiter observing all of it from the sidelines. Fellow senior wideout Chase Roberts led the way with seven receptions for 108 yards, and other wideouts rising up and showing forth their great potential — namely freshman JoJo Phillips.

Lassiter praised all of his teammates, but made special note of the 6-foot-5 talent from California who hauled in an impressive 57-yard touchdown reception in the second quarter.

"He just wants to come out here and work, and he wants to get better each and every day," Lassiter said of Phillips. "It's something that he may not win in a rep and he'll just come up to me and say, 'What can I do to improve this where I can win and put myself in position where I'll be in the right spot to make that play?' So I think JoJo is making a big stride from Year 1 to Year 2, and I feel the sky is the limit for him."

He also reserved positive reviews for Cody Hagen and Tei Nacua, two other promising freshmen who have shown well in their early BYU football careers.

As for the guy delivering the ball to his position group, Lassiter was equally impressed having watched Jake Retzlaff's progress throughout the offseason and particularly during the preseason fall camp session.

"I feel like Jake knew the things he had to work on throughout the entire camp," Lassiter said. "He may not have done what he needed to do early on in fall camp, but he turned it around and, ultimately, that led to him winning the spot. So I'm proud of him."

Lassiter also noted Retzlaff's proclivity in getting together with him every day to ask important questions — working through the process of how to deliver the football more effectively.

"I feel like that's the kind of connection you need to have between quarterback and receiver," Lassiter said.

What to expect versus SMU

Everyone anticipates the Mustangs to present a significant elevation of competition relative to what Southern Illinois presented in Week 1, making Lassiter's addition to the lineup essential.

While receivers like Roberts were found open on almost any occasion Retzlaff needed him, those same coverages could be locked down to at least some higher degree come Friday's game, making Lassiter's presence essential.

It was widely promoted throughout the offseason and practice sessions that Lassiter established himself as BYU's top receiving option, despite the overall quality inherent within the team's wide receiver room. Conversely, it's reasonable to assign the Arizona native high expectations with Lassiter raring to put all the work he's put into action against the Mustangs.

"I had an extra week to get my body right, and I feel great," Lassiter said. "My knee feels great from my injury last year, so I'm excited and I'm ready to roll, because I feel like I haven't been able to play football forever."

Can BYU fans can expect more highlights like these that companies like Royal Army will make T-shirts out of?

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