By RUSS RIGGS
Russ@newsroom.byu.edu
The wishbone.
It's a style of offense that has made teams such as Air Force, Oklahoma and Nebraska famous.
At the heart of the wishbone, lie three running backs and a speedy quarterback who pitches the ball.
And throwing passes?
It doesn't happen in this style of offense.
Then how did a former wishbone quarterback, Brandon Doman, end up at BYU?
For starters, the Doman family has been connected to Cougar Stadium for over a decade.
Cliff, Bryce and Kevin all played wideout for the Cougars.
'We haven't missed a season in many years,' Doman said.
'They were really good about being neutral when it came down to choosing BYU.'
Doman was the leader of the Skyline Eagle offense, widely known for running the ball and for being the powerhouse of Utah high school football.
In fact, Skyline won the state championship when he was at the helm in 1994.
'Up until now, my high school days have been my best football memories,' Doman said.
'My high school coach, Roger Dupaix, had a great influence on my life.'
When Doman graduated, teams came calling. He was recruited by Notre Dame, Nebraska, Hawaii, Northwestern, Air Force and Texas A&M.
But when BYU offered him a scholarship to play quarterback, it was an offer he couldn't refuse.
'I've played quarterback since I was eight. I've spent years learning to throw,' Doman said.
'When BYU offered me a scholarship to play ... it was a clincher.'
Becoming a Cougar, he said, has reaffirmed his decision to stay close to home.
'You can't beat BYU anywhere. The atmosphere is great,' he said.
'The guys are great, and we don't practice or travel on Sunday. They believe in God, family and then football.'
Another bonus of coming to Provo, according to Doman, is playing for legendary coach Lavell Edwards, who takes interest in his player's lives.
'He's a real genuine man. He's an icon for BYU,' he said. 'He has a real interest in my life.'
On the field, Doman can bring a deadly option to the offense.
Quarterbacks with mobility can stifle the defense by taking off downfield when they bring pressure.
However, Doman wants people to know that he can do more than just run.
He said running the wishbone, evading tacklers and jetting out of the pocket are his strengths.
'But I've really worked on throwing the ball, and I know the system. I just need to relax more and be more poised in the pocket.'
Going into spring practice, Doman has noticed a different feeling amongst the offense.
'I feel a change in the unity of the team. Coach Reynolds has brought a different attitude,' Doman said.
'We need to win the conference. BYU needs to be consistently winning.'
Just don't count on the Cougars running the wishbone anytime soon.