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Even without a scholarship, Brayden El-Bakri keeps grinding, pounding, blocking, leading for BYU

Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

PROVO — In 2016, BYU fullback Brayden El-Bakri scored the first touchdown of the Kalani Sitake era, but it was last season that he earned considerable notoriety for making some big plays.

For example, in September, the 6-foot, 240-pound senior scored a touchdown at Utah State on a 26-yard reception from quarterback Beau Hoge on a trick play.

Then, in October, on a first-quarter kickoff in the opening minutes of BYU’s 41-20 victory over San Jose State in Provo, El-Bakri sprinted down the field and leveled Spartan kick returner Rahshead Johnson, who fumbled.