Editor’s note: This is part of a continuing series previewing the Power 5 and top Group of 5 teams for the 2021 college football season.
There are no victories when battling the ghosts of the storied past. They always win out. Every single time. One major way to revitalize a fan base, though, is to have a season eerily similar to the glory days. That’s what BYU put together in a most surreal 2020 college football season. Headlined by a once-in-a-generation quarterback destined to be a top pick in this year’s NFL Draft, the Cougars turned heads by powering through a schedule cobbled together on the fly en route to an 11-1 season. How swiftly the winds of change can swirl around a program.
Advertisement
Devoted BYU followers can see tangible evidence of the program moving in a positive direction. Coach Kalani Sitake asked for time and patience from his fellow alumni. And after average to below-average seasons, the first full recruiting cycle under Sitake’s watch has proven to be one that can compete with the top-heavy schedule of a college football independent. The Cougars didn’t get to prove themselves against top-tier talent in 2020, but 11-1 is 11-1. The loss of Zach Wilson and star offensive lineman Brady Christensen will be holes BYU might have difficulty filling in 2021.
“Looking at our roster now, I believe we have some more guys that can be like that, and hopefully we can keep this thing rolling,” Sitake said. “Hopefully, we can keep developing players and get our guys ready for the next level.”
And that’s fine. Having developed top-end talents like that means BYU is on the right track. Sitake’s staff has shown that, despite not being a roster replete with four- or five-star recruits, the internal development and projection of players are working. Wilson is the poster child of that. The challenge now is keeping that momentum going. BYU signed some recruits who could’ve opted to go to the Big Ten, Pac-12 or Big 12. Some local recruits, who were once fleeing Utah for perceived greener pastures, are staying home. They’re choosing BYU, whereas, for a majority of the previous decade, the Cougars were losing out on those players they should’ve been in on until the very end.
That’s progress. That’s where BYU should always find itself. The prestige of the program needs to be at the forefront, not planted in the annals of history. With an offense under new direction and a superstar quarterback off to the NFL, these Cougars have to continue what they established in 2020. All great BYU teams had a QB who gave them a shot and an offensive line that was the dominant force.
Advertisement
“If you’re talking about momentum in terms of wins and losses, that’s hard to forecast,” Sitake said. “What I think is more tangible is depth and overall talent. And when I look at the talent on this team, we have a ton of talented guys. Just like we did last year.”
Roster analysis
Quarterbacks: There will be no concrete decision on the heir to QB1 until August. Sitake and offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick have made that clear. Roderick said he’s comfortable letting the competition stretch until two weeks before the opener at Arizona. For now, they have four candidates. Sophomores Jaren Hall and Baylor Romney have the most experience, having started games in 2019 when Wilson was out with injury. Hall, a former dual-sport athlete at BYU, stopped playing baseball this spring to pursue football full-time. Freshmen Jacob Conover and Sol-Jay Maiava-Peters don’t have starting experience but were big-time recruiting wins and both will have a shot. While Hall and Romney served as Wilson’s primary backups in 2020, Conover was the main scout team QB last year, so he only has about 15 true practices under his belt going into the fall. But don’t rule him out.
“What I’m looking for is, which one of them can be the most consistent at moving the team and scoring points,” Roderick said. “The way we practice here. We probably go 11-on-11 (more) than most teams do, more than any other team I’ve ever been a part of. Kalani just believes in that. Our quarterbacks get a lot of good reps and we get a good chance on how they can lead the team on drives.”
Regardless, returning 0.7 percent of your passing yards production because the former incumbent is considered a lock to be a top 3 pick, means managing unrealistic expectations for the successor.
“That’s a huge challenge for our whole program this season,” Roderick said. “Everyone in the program — coaches, players, and even fans — needs to understand that it would be unfair to expect anyone to play at the same level as Zach did last year. I also think it’s wise to remember that it took Zach a lot of ups-and-downs over two seasons to get to the point where he played like he did last year. Whichever guy we play, there will be some growing pains.”
Running backs: Outside of Wilson, BYU had a couple of big breakout players in 2020 on offense. Sophomore back Tyler Allgeier was one of them. The big-bodied tailback rushed for 1,130 yards and 13 touchdowns in his first year as a starter. He averaged an absurd 7.5 yards per carry. So having him back helps the acclimation process for whichever QB wins the job. Roderick said the staff looks at Allgeier and junior Lopini Katoa as a “1A & 1B” scenario out of the backfield. Katoa is BYU’s best receiving back, having caught at least 20 passes the past three years.
Advertisement
The next guy up right now is former wide receiver freshman Miles Davis, who was moved to running back midway through 2020. Roderick said Davis showed flashes of being one of the best players on the field in practice. Former JC transfer sophomore Hinckley Ropati will be in the mix, too. Ropati suffered an injury last year that kept him sidelined.
Wide receivers: Roderick, a former BYU receiver himself, said this is one of the most stacked groups of wideouts the program has had. Adding Washington transfer Puka Nacua and older brother Samson Nacua, who spent the past four years at Utah, adds to a group that already returns two primary playmakers. The Nacua brothers will compete with juniors Gunner Romney (767 receiving yards and 39 receptions) and Neil Pau’u (603 receiving yards and 45 receptions). Roderick said Pau’u is perhaps the most underrated player on BYU’s offense returning from last year.
And that’s just the top end of the wideout corps. Then, Roderick said, BYU welcomes freshman Chase Roberts home from his church mission. Other freshmen include Kody Epps and Keanu Hill, who were part of packages in 2020. Roderick singled out sophomore Brayden Cosper and junior Chris Jackson as others to watch for, too.
“We’ve got a lot of size,” Roderick said. “I like that group a lot.”
Tight ends: The BYU staff was so high on freshman Isaac Rex going into 2020 that they weren’t surprised when he had a breakout season in the wake of star tight end Matt Bushman suffering a season-ending injury in fall camp. Rex had a team-high 12 touchdown receptions and, at 6-foot-6, is “a legit matchup nightmare,” Roderick said. BYU has a 1-2 tight end combo with Rex and sophomore H-back Masen Wake, who was known for his blocks out of the backfield and leaping over would-be tacklers.
Freshman Dallin Holker, who had 235 receiving yards and one touchdown during the 2018 season, is back from his church mission. All the best BYU teams in recent history have always had game-changing tight ends. Rex, should he stay healthy, has a very high ceiling. Roderick believes that the 12-touchdown season in 2020 is just the beginning. And that will make life so much easier for whoever steps in at QB.
Offensive line: Despite losing a star left tackle in Christensen, Roderick doesn’t expect much of a fall from a group that returns so many players who have started games the past two years. BYU’s offensive line had been hit by injuries the previous two years, which allowed for development in real-time. BYU has seven returning offensive linemen with starting experience in 2021.
Advertisement
At the tackle spots, 6-8 sophomores Blake Freeland and Harris LaChance are the odds-on starters going into fall. Both played 11 games in 2020. Behind them is another 6-8 walk-on sophomore in Brayden Keim, a converted high school tight end who the staff is excited to see develop. At center, junior James Empey returns to anchor the line. At left guard, Roderick said sophomore Clark Barrington is the guy. The one spot open still is right guard.
Junior Joe Tukuafu is in the mix. Tukuafu started some games at center in 2020 due to injuries on the offensive line. Also competing for the right guard spot is freshman Connor Pay, who got plenty of action last year. Junior Keanu Saleapaga is expected back and will be part of the starting tackle rotation as well as the competition at right guard.
“That’s going to be one heck of a battle,” Roderick said. “Yes, we lost some guys, but I have a ton of confidence in that group.”
| CATEGORY | PERCENT RETURNING | TOP RETURNER |
|---|---|---|
Passing yards | 0.7 | Romney, 261 |
Rushing yards | 82 | Allgeier, 1,130 |
Receiving yards | 68 | Romney, 767 |
OL starts | 44 | Empey, 34 |
Tackles | 68 | Pili, 72 |
Tackles for loss | 62 | Udo, 5.5 |
Sacks | 57 | Batty, 4 |
Interceptions | 62 | Five players, 1 |
Defensive line: Despite losing three starters up front, BYU defensive coordinator Ilaisa Tuiaki firmly believes the interior depth won’t have a significant dropoff. The Cougars saw former stalwarts Khyiris Tonga, Zac Dawe and Bracken El-Bakri graduate in 2020, but Tuiaki said defensive tackle is in good hands. Sophomore Atunaisa Mahe is cleared to play after missing 2020 due to a season-ending injury. Mahe was one of the best defensive linemen at BYU before going down last year. A trio of contenders to slot in next to Mahe on the interior include freshman Caden Haws, sophomore Gabe Summers and junior Earl Tuioti-Mariner. Tuiaki said junior Lorenzo Fauatea didn’t participate in spring drills due to a foot injury but is expected to compete when back healthy.
“The good thing about all of those five guys is they’ve all played meaningful games,” Tuiaki said. “It’s not as scary of a picture as you’d think when losing those other guys.”
On the edge, BYU’s defensive coordinator wants to see more players step up. Freshman Tyler Batty led the Cougars in sacks a year ago with 4.5. Senior Uriah Leiataua broke his leg in fall camp last year and didn’t return until late in the season. Leiataua is the only senior on the defensive line for BYU. Tuiaki said linebacker and former Navy transfer Pepe Tanuvasa has been moved to defensive end. Junior Alden Tofa is in the mix for one of the starting jobs, too.
“It will be the same story,” Tuiaki said. “There will be a couple of young guys who really need to shine this year.”
Advertisement
Linebacker: Team leader Isaiah Kaufusi graduated, but the Cougars remain deep at linebacker, which allows Tuiaki to experiment with players at various spots. Barring injury, BYU’s sophomore trio of Keenan Pili, Max Tooley and Payton Wilgar will be the starters. The three combined for 173 total tackles in 2020.
“They’re obviously game-proven, they’re different athletes, and they’re all obviously why we feel so comfortable about that group,” Tuiaki said. “They’re difference-makers.”
Sophomore Jackson Kaufusi suffered an injury in spring ball and it remains to be seen when he will return, per Tuiaki. But there is depth behind the trio of Pili, Tooley and Wilgar. Freshmen Ben Bywater and Tevita Gagnier and sophomore Morgan Pyper will be tasked with being the next group up. Michael Daley will be back from his church mission and could compete for backup minutes.
Defensive backs: In his six years at BYU, Tuiaki said the program has never had this many talented cornerbacks together competing for starting jobs. The Cougars do lose four-year starter Troy Warner to graduation, but Tuiaki doesn’t expect a step back. Junior corners Keenan Ellis and D’Angelo Mandell have already singled themselves out as the alphas. Sophomore Isaiah Herron, who briefly last year went into the NCAA transfer portal before returning, will have a shot at challenging Ellis and Mandell. Junior transfers Jacques Wilson and Shamon Willis are competing for primary backup spots, as are sophomore George Udo and freshman Micah Harper.
“This is literally the deepest corner group we’ve ever had,” Tuiaki said. “It’s filled with the type of corners we’ve always been recruiting, too: long, fast kids. We feel good about matching up with anybody.”
Junior Chaz Ah You will utilize his 6-2 frame as the starting strong safety. The depth at linebacker allows for BYU’s defense to ensure that he gets on the field at that position. The free safety position is still open, according to Tuiaki. Junior Malik Moore and freshmen Dean Jones and Talan Alfrey will get looks. Alfrey was one of the standouts of spring ball, Tuiaki said.
Special teams: Sophomore kicker Jake Oldroyd is the starter. He went 13-for-13 on field goal attempts in 2020, but missed two extra points (60-for-62). Freshman punter Ryan Rehkow averaged 45 yards per punt. He only needed to punt 28 times in 12 games, but 16 of them landed inside the 20-yard line. Sitake said the kick and punt returning job is wide-open and that the Cougars will want to be three deep in each spot before the season starts.
Advertisement
What others are saying about BYU
Said Patrick Kinahan, of 1280 the Zone: “Obviously it was a blessing to go 11-1, but it’s also somewhat of a curse now that you did it. Even though it was against a lesser schedule, the fan base, which is very passionate and rabid, is going to be expecting you to come close to it again. They’re waiting for you to arrive. Kalani is going into his sixth year now and he’s got all his guys now. At BYU, with missions and redshirts and greyshirts, it takes time. But the program has established itself again to the point where the fan base is going to expect competitive ball going forward. They’ve had some games against Power 5 competition where they weren’t competitive, but they’ve also had games against Power 5 competition in which they were and they won. This year, against the Power 5’s, they need to win.”
“The coaching staff believes the rebuild after Mendenhall’s departure is headed in the right direction,” said a person familiar with the program. “Obviously the program recruits certain types of players, but they’re in the mix for prominent names once again, whereas for the better part of a decade, they were not getting a sniff. That means a lot more.”
How the Cougars have recruited from 2018-21
It should come as no surprise that Sitake, Roderick and Tuiaki — all former Utah assistants or coordinators — have taken the mantra of recruit and project. That’s what Kyle Whittingham’s staffs have done well over the past three decades. Some players are positional-specific adds, but some of the best players come having played one position and project long term at another. BYU managed to snap some highly sought-after local recruits in the 2021 class that fit that mold. Logan Fano and Raider Damuni (both out of nearby Timpview High) and John Henry Daley (Lone Peak High) will eventually become impact players on either side of the ball when they enroll. Damuni and Daley are either currently serving or will be serving their missions and won’t return until 2023.
Sitake vows to all his players that they will all get a shot at starting spots, regardless of seniority. “The best plays here,” he said. And that could make an impact from a recruiting perspective going forward.
The Zach Wilson Effect will be something to watch in the immediate future, too. But BYU has some young quarterbacks already in the system that the staff is high on. Conover, a four-star QB from Arizona, had offers from Alabama, Wisconsin, South Carolina and more. From a big-picture perspective, BYU’s recruiting classes as an independent will always pale in comparison to Notre Dame. But if the Cougars can maintain in-state recruiting battles with Utah and make hits like Conover, that’s a positive trend.
“There’s enough uniqueness about this place that we’re always going to get who we can get,” Roderick. “But, yes, when you have a quarterback that’s going to get drafted in the first round … just the names and attention drawn from a great season has, I would say, made an impact at a couple of positions, at least. At quarterback, where some of the better young quarterbacks in the country are now reaching out to me, whereas I might have never even taken a shot at them a couple of years ago. They’re noticing that this is a pretty good place to play quarterback.”
Transfers to know
BYU got a package deal with a couple of hometown kids. Earlier this year, the Cougars landed commitments and signings from Samson and Puka Nacua. Samson, a redshirt senior, was one of Utah’s most reliable receivers while Puka left Washington after two years. The brothers have said they returned to BYU due to family reasons to be closer to their mother, and the Nacua boys are synonymous with BYU. Older brothers Kai and Isaiah played there. Both Samson and Puka will be Day 1 starters in BYU’s offense and that will make life significantly easier for whoever emerges as Wilson’s replacement.
Advertisement
“These guys have accomplished a lot already,” Sitake said. “The more, the merrier.”
Elsewhere, the Cougars added a couple of other in-state transfers in former Michigan State and Utah lineman Mufi Hunt, a graduate transfer, and former Utah State DB Jakob Robinson.
Impact of coaching changes
Don’t expect a ton of wholesale changes under Roderick. BYU’s new OC said as much back in January after getting the call from Sitake that he would be replacing Jeff Grimes. Roderick, previously the quarterbacks coach and passing game coordinator, wants to keep the foot down on the gas pedal. That will be a tougher ask in 2021 as the schedule is significantly more difficult. But the verticality and fearlessness BYU played with offensively in 2020 should be the barometer. Yes, Wilson’s unique elite abilities allowed for several highlight-reel plays. But so long as BYU’s offensive line can remain top end and provide ample time for the new starter, there will be plenty of downfield opportunities, especially with the addition of the Nacua brothers and the next stage of development of tight end Rex.
Darrell Funk replaces former offensive line coach Eric Mateos, who went to Baylor with Grimes. Funk, most recently OL coach at UTSA, has had stints at Michigan, San Diego State and Purdue.
Schedule analysis
| DATE | TEAM | SITE |
|---|---|---|
Sept. 4 | Las Vegas | |
Sept. 11 | Home | |
Sept. 18 | Home | |
Sept. 25 |  USF | Home |
Oct. 1 | Away | |
Oct. 9 | Home | |
Oct. 16 | Away | |
Oct. 23 | Away | |
Oct. 30 | Home | |
Nov. 6 |  Idaho State | Home |
Nov. 20 | Away | |
Nov. 27 | Away |
From Week 1 against Arizona at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas through Week 9 when BYU hosts former coach Bronco Mendenhall and his Virginia Cavaliers, it’s not an unforgiving stretch. But it’s certainly a legitimate one. There are no potholes. No gimmes.
Prior to Mendenhall’s return to Provo, BYU hits the road to face Baylor in Waco and Washington State in Pullman. Idaho State and Georgia Southern are the easiest scheduled games on the docket. BYU closes out by playing at USC in the Coliseum.
So that’s five Pac-12 teams, plus two from the Mountain West, one from the Big 12 and one from the ACC. That’s a little stiffer than last year’s slate. But one thing is certain — this schedule will tell, and early, what last year’s schedule never could: Do this year’s Cougars measure up to Power 5 programs on a regular basis?
Advertisement
“We’re not a P5 program, but we play so many P5 programs, and you can see the difference it makes,” Sitake said.
Final assessment
This is the deepest skill position group in the Sitake era. And that’s been the direst of circumstances that needed upgrading since he took over six years ago. Now that BYU has found a way to re-establish itself as a pass-happy offense that can go vertical when it wants, the Cougars are going to be able to trade punches with the Power 5 competition. Defensively, BYU returns seven starters. Offensively, it’s in pretty ideal shape, outside of the QB spot. Whoever Sitake and Roderick choose will have a ton of options to help him shine. But the schedule is not what it was last year, and the first nine weeks aren’t exactly forgiving.
The Cougars are going to be fun to watch again. Which is good for college football.
BYU’s national championship odds from BetMGM: +20000
(Top photo of Tyler Allgeier: Mark Brown / Getty Images)
