Junior football player Moroni Laulu-Pututau knows a thing or two about timing. Laulu-Pututau was ready to debut his change from wide receiver to tight end in the 2017 season when a poorly timed injury caused him to step back for almost a year to rest and recover.
Now he’s back and ready for action.
The former Mountain Crest High standout bulked up 45 pounds in preparation for the tight end position, only to suffer a Lisfranc injury in the final days of fall camp, three days before the opener versus LSU. Not only did he miss the entire 2017 season, but he was held out of 2018 spring practices as well.
Laulu-Pututau said he has been fully cleared by the medical staff and has done everything so far in camp this year, but he is still being “cautious and smart” after what happened last year.
“I’m 100 percent. I feel good,” he said during BYU Media Day. “I’m working hard. A lot of hours in the training room. I’m fully cleared. I’m so excited. It’s been almost a year. I’m just hungry. To come back to play is exciting.”
All eyes and microphones were on him at fall camp this year as he answered questions about his injury and the emotions of entering a new season.
“We’re definitely ahead of schedule with our offense this year. It’s great to be out here getting real reps and seeing where we’re really at,” Laulu-Pututau said.
Laulu-Pututau and the rest of the Cougars are preparing to face the University of Arizona Wildcats in Tucson, Arizona, on Sept. 1.
“We are really working to get ready for the Tucson game. That’s the motivation right now — it’s on our minds for sure,” Laulu-Pututau said.
Watch Laulu-Pututau and the Cougars in the season opener at the University of Arizona on Sept. 1 at 8:45 p.m. MST on ESPN and BYUtv.
