Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
PROVO — Having grown up in the middle of hoops-crazy Indiana, it should come as no surprise that BYU sophomore left tackle Thomas Shoaf loves basketball.
“Basketball’s in my blood and always will be,” said Shoaf, who didn’t start playing football until he was in middle school.
These days, he’s hip-pad deep into football, charged with the responsibility of protecting quarterback Tanner Mangum’s blind side.
“The biggest focus is consistency, and it’s important to give Tanner a good pocket,” Shoaf said.
As a freshman last year, not long after returning home from a mission to Honolulu, Shoaf was called upon to replace an injured Ilui Lapuaho at right tackle, and he ended up starting nine games.