2025 BYU Football Preview by Daily Herald

COUGAR STRONG

BYU FOOTBALL 2025

How Isaiah Glasker arrived at becoming BYU’s premier defensive player

The Crystal Ball: How will the BYU football season play out in 2025?

How Isaiah Glasker arrived at becoming BYU’s premier defensive player 4

20 questions: Glasker, Kingston discuss Cougar talent and quirks 9

Hype vs. Reality 10

DICKSON: Sitake starts Year 10 with momentum strong 11

TEAM

JIM KONIG

Publisher

EDITORIAL

JARED LLOYD

Managing Editor

DARNELL DICKSON

WRITERS

DARNELL DICKSON

JARED LLOYD

BRANDON GURNEY

BYU Position Breakdown 12

3 reasons BYU will win Big 12 Conference this season 13

The Crystal Ball: How will the BYU football season play out in 2025? 14 2025 Utah Utes Preview 23

PHOTOGRAPHY

DARNELL DICKSON

JARED LLOYD

AARON CORINA

REBECA FUENTES

Photo

BYU linebacker Isaiah Glasker celebrates after an interception against UCF on Oct. 26, 2024.

Worth the Weight

BY BRADON GURNEY Daily Herald

BYU linebacker Isaiah Glasker face lights up as he recalls a certain play from last season, and for good reason.

Early in the second quarter of the Cougar’s 18-15 win over SMU last season, the Mustangs were working on mounting any type of o ensive challenge. Faced with a 2nd-and-8 situation, SMU quarterback Preston Stone, who is readily noted for his running ability, appeared ready to break the pocket before Glasker, as if shot from a cannon, beat his blocking assignment and summarily dropped Stone for loss of eight yards.

“That was really a ‘here we go!’ moment for me,” Glasker recalled. “That’s the play where all the work and preparation I had done began to be validated.”

Of course true validation isn’t just handed out for just one standout play, or even a few plays, but for consistent play-making throughout the course of a season, which is exactly what Glasker provided in 2024.

A team-leading 70 tackles along

How Isaiah Glasker arrived at becoming BYU’s premier defensive player

with 14.5 tackles-for-loss, which also led the team, on top of 3.5 sacks, which placed him second behind Jack Kelly, are numbers that speak for themselves. Oh yeah, the 6-foot-5, 240 pound converted safety also tied for the team lead in interceptions with three on the season, including a 21-yard pick that was returned for a touchdown in BYU’s 41-19 win over Arizona.

It was the type of season that reminded many of some of the top BYU outside linebackers of seasons past, such as Kyle Van Noy, Fred Warner, Bryan Kehl and David Nixon, all of whom went on to play at the NFL level.

“I’m just a fan of watching him play and he’s deﬁnitely up there with the best that have played the position at BYU,” said Nixon. “But what makes Isaiah unique is his height and length, which is a huge advantage. He can cover a lot of ground and did it very well last season. He’s just so fun to watch and I’m excited to see what improvements he’s made for this season.”

and often arduous process in transforming himself to play a position few envisioned when ﬁrst walked on to BYU’s football program following his mission service for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to Uruguay.

Weighing in at just 190 pounds, prior to the 2022 season, the plan was to play at free safety, a position he exceled at while playing for Bingham at the high school level. But that plan was soon scuttled after a conversation with BYU Coach Kalani Sitake.

Worth the Weight

As mentioned, Glasker’s arrival at his current status was a long

“He sat me down and just let me know that he felt the best way for me to get to the NFL level was to play linebacker,” Glasker said. “I believed what he told me, made the switch and was able to play a bit during my freshman year.”

Glasker’s 2023 playing experience included eight games before exiting earlier than planned

AARON CORNIA , BYU PHOTO

BYU linebacker Isaiah Glasker celebrates after returning an interception for a touchdown against Arizona at LaVell Edwards Stadium on Oct. 12.

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Glasker

due to sustaining an injury that was apparently caused by him still being undersized. Sure, his abilities provided plenty of value in coverage from his outside linebacking position while mounting good pass rushes on occasion, but due to his relatively slight and lanky frame, he lacked the sustainability to effectively fill gaps and take on blocks.

Ultimately the physical tax proved too much, forcing him to miss some action down the stretch while providing an obvious offseason task to take on in preparation for the 2024 season and indeed for the rest of his career.

“I definitely needed to put on some weight, and I did,” Glasker said. “I came to BYU weighing in at 190 and started last season at 240, and it definitely made a huge difference.”

The weight gain was applied with the help of BYU linebackers Coach Justin Ena, who would meet with Glasker early most mornings.

“He had me here every morning at 7 a.m. drinking protein shakes, eating peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and just lots and lots of protein,” Glasker said. “It’s about eating when you’re not hungry and eventually I got there. I got at a good weight where I instead of me feeling most of hits out there, I was

BYU linebacker Isaiah Glasker celebrates after returning an interception for a touchdown against Arizona at LaVell Edwards Stadium on Oct. 12. AARON CORNIA , BYU PHOTO

REBECA FUENTES , BYU PHOTO

BYU linebacker Isaiah Glasker makes an interception against Arizona at LaVell Edwards Stadium on Oct. 12.

“

I just got accepted into my major, which is global supply chain, so I’m really excited about that. Our coaches here stress education, and ever since I got here I think we had the best GPA as a team ever, and I’m very proud of be a part of that. I’ve also met a lot of great people here and it’s really been everything I could have hoped for, and more.”

Glasker

making others feel it. That’s where you want to be.”

Only the beginning

What’s truly notable about Glasker’s current status is the fact that he’s had just one year playing with the type of frame he’s now developed, indicating bright returns ahead of him.

“It’s very rare to see a 6-foot-5 linebacker move the way he does,” Nixon said. “Linebackers his size typically can’t move like he’s shown he can in so many games. His ability to cover sideline-to-sideline shows you how athletic he is. It’s the type of size and athletic combination that NFL scouts salivate over because he really can do it all. He’s great in coverage because of his massive wingspan and now he has the bulk to really do it all out there. Like I mentioned, he’s just very fun to watch. He just glides out there and he’s a player you can do a lot of things with, which

NFL scouts love.”

As far as NFL prospects go, not to mention the preseason accolades he’s received, Glasker isn’t focused on any of it currently.

“I don’t like focusing on any type of recognition. I’d rather give it to the line in front of me and all the people out there that allow me to get to where I want to be,” he said. “I’m nothing without the line in front of me and the players beside me and behind me. I’m fortunate to be able to play with a lot of great players here at BYU.”

As for his life o the ﬁeld, Glasker is enjoying every moment at BYU.

“It’s been great and I’ve always had great teachers to help me along the way,” he concluded. “I just got accepted into my major, which is global supply chain, so I’m really excited about that. Our coaches here stress education, and ever since I got here I think we had the best GPA as a team ever, and I’m very proud of be a part of that. I’ve also met a lot of great people here and it’s really been everything I could have hoped for, and more.”

AARON CORINA , BYU PHOTO

BYU linebacker Isaiah Glasker practices in Provo on July 30.

From Page 6

Isaiah Glasker

20 Questions: Glasker, Kingston discuss on Cougar talents and quirks

BY DARNELL DICKSON Daily Herald

There is a risk at taking what BYU football players are saying to the media as absolute gospel. Not that they are lying, but sometimes responses are just opinion.

That’s the beauty of something we like to call “20 Questions,” a story idea born out of, to be honest, boredom. Covering BYU fall camp and writing the requisite stories about the position groups and scrimmages can be a grind. So we came up with the idea of asking an o ensive player 20 questions, then asking a defensive player the same 20 questions.

It’s genius, isn’t it?

So, here we go. Here are the responses to our 20 questions from BYU junior wide receiver Parker Kingston as well as junior linebacker Isaiah Glasker. Both players have plenty of personality and conﬁdence.

Will their answers match up or be totally di erent? Read on.

1. Who’s the biggest hitter on the team?

Parker Kingston: “Probably (Sr. LB) Jack Kelly or (Jr. LB) Isaiah Glasker.” (Daily Herald: You’ve experienced both, haven’t you? Kingston: Oh, yeah. They are both scary.)

Isaiah Glasker: “If I m not going to say myself, I’d probably say (Sr. S) Tanner Wall or Jack Kelly.”

2. Who’s the fastest player on the team?

Parker Kingston: “I mean, I want to say me because of my game speed. So It’s me.”

Isaiah Glasker: “I would say probably Evan Johnson (Jr. CB) or (Sr. CB) Mory Bamba.”

3. Who’s the craziest? (The Justin Luettgerodt Award)

Parker Kingston: “Just like, up for anything? I would say (Jr. DT) Keanu Tanuvasa. He’s not afraid. He’ll just do it.”

Isaiah Glasker: “I would say another defensive guy, (So. DE) Ephraim Asiata. It’s just the way he acts, honestly. Just every day. If you want something crazy done, that’s the ﬁrst guy.”

4. Who’s the most talented in something other than football?

Parker Kingston: “Me. I’m the best golfer on the team.”

Isaiah Glasker: “(Jr. S) Raider Damuni is a good basketball player. Actually, (So. RB) Sione Moa plays piano pretty good.”

5. Who’s the smartest? (The Matt Bauman Award)

Parker Kingston: “Probably (Jr. WR) Tiger Bachmeier. He graduated from Stanford in like two and a half years. That’s crazy.”

Isaiah Glasker: “I would say one of the Stanford guys, (Fr. QB) Bear or Tiger Bachmeier.”

6. Who’s the smoothest with the ladies?

Parker Kingston: “I would say (Sr. WR) Chase Roberts, but he’s not. I don’t know. I really don’t know.”

Isaiah Glasker: “Can I say myself? I do have a girlfriend, but I don’t want to get myself in trouble. So I’ll say (Jr. WR) Parker Kingston.”

7. Who THINKS he’s the smoothest with the ladies but really has no game?

Parker Kingston: “I would say (Jr. CB) Evan Johnson (his nickname is “Shmev”). I’ve seen him in action. He’s bad.”

Isaiah Glasker: “That’s got to be (Fr. DE) Liutai Kinikini. He plays defensive end for us. He thinks he’s got it but he doesn’t.”

9. Who talks the most trash?

Parker Kingston: “(So. CB) Trey Alexander. He’s the guy. I giggle every time, though. I laugh so hard when he starts talking.”

Isaiah Glasker: “Trey Alexander. He’s one of the guys who does that. And I would say Bear Bachmeier. As a new guy, yeah, for sure.”

10.

Who’s the quietest?

Parker Kingston: “There are a lot of guys, a lot of freshmen. I’ll say (Fr. QB) Emerson Geilman.”

Isaiah Glasker: “I would have to say (Jr. RB) LJ Martin. He’s vocal when he needs to be but for the most part, he’s pretty quiet.”

11. Who’s the best dancer? (The Ben “Mongoose” Criddle Award)

Parker Kingston: “It used to be (wide receiver) Darius Lassiter. But he’s gone now so I don’t know.”

Isaiah Glasker: “I would say myself.”

12. Who’s the worst dancer?

Parker Kingston: “(So. S) Tommy Prassas. Though his end zone dance last year was OK.”

Isaiah Glasker: “Probably (So. S) Faletau Satuala.”

13. Who’s the funniest guy on the team?

Parker Kingston: “Probably (So. QB) McCae Hillstead. Once you hang out with him, he’s one of the funniest guys because he seems pretty quiet. Then you get to know him and he’s really funny.”

Isaiah Glasker: “I would say Lucky Finau. He just comments on everything. He’s really funny.”Jack Kelly.”

15. Who’s the best game player?

Parker Kingston: “I don’t play video games so I have no idea, really.” (Daily Herald: What is this, the 1970’s? What college-aged athlete doesn’t play video games? Honestly.)

Isaiah Glasker: “I would say (So. LB) Siale Esera. He plays Call of Duty and NBA2K.”

16. Who’s the best dressed?

Parker Kingston: “(So. DE) Tausili Akana has come in with some really good ﬁt.”

Isaiah Glasker: “I would say myself. No question there.”

17. Who’s the best looking? (The Matt Berry Award)

Parker Kingston: “Me. No question.”

Isaiah Glasker: “I would say LJ Martin. He cleans up nice.”

18. Who’s got the messiest locker? (The Bracken El-Bakri Award)

Parker Kingston: “I’m pretty sure it’s the receivers. Like, me and (So. WR) Jo Jo Phillips.”

Isaiah Glasker: “I would say Jo Jo Phillips. The whole wide receiver area is always messy. So Jo Jo, Parker Kingston, Chase Roberts, the receivers as a group.”

19. Who’s the best basketball player?

Parker Kingston: “Raider Damuni. He’s pretty good. And Jo Jo. So Raider and Jo Jo.”

Isaiah Glasker: “I won’t say myself. I’ll say Jo Jo Phillips. He played with Bronny James.”

8. Who does the best coach impression?

Parker Kingston: “It’s not a player, but (WR coach) Fesi Sitake doing Pops, Kalani’s dad. He does a great impression. It’s really funny.”

Isaiah Glasker: “Probably (So. RB) Lucky Finau. He does Kalani pretty well.”

14. Who drives the ugliest car? (The JD Falslev Award)

Parker Kingston: “It used to be Trey Alexander. He drove like a bight yellow, orangish Tesla last year, but he got it wrapped.”

Isaiah Glasker: “I don’t know. I’ll have to go look out in the parking lot.”

20. Who’s most likely to be a multi-millionaire in something other than football in 20 years?

(The Taysom Hill Award)

Parker Kingston: “Hopefully all of us. That’s the goal, but probably McCae Hillstead. He’s got brains and everything else.”

Isaiah Glasker: “For sure Tanner Wall. He’s in business and he’s smart.”

Hype vs. Reality

What we believe, what we don’t know and what it means

BY DARNELL DICKSON Daily Herald

I’ve got an example of how college football hype works.

Utah fans are going to love this. OK, not really. But I’m going to use it, any-

Hype: Losing Jake Retzlaff isn’t a big deal because his numbers weren’t great and he struggled at times.

way.

All summer long I’ve heard about how great the Utes o ensive line is going to be in 2025. Spencer Fano and company (all ﬁve starters return) have been mentioned on plenty of lists for the top ﬁve o ensive lines in the country.

Reality: Retzla was hard to ﬁgure out and ran kind of hot and cold. He had some spectacular starts (UCF, Baylor) and ﬁnishes (Oklahoma State, Utah) in 2024. It was the in-between that got him in trouble sometimes. In BYU’s two losses (Kansas and Arizona State), Retzla had two touchdown passes and three interceptions. More impor-

shape of his life and he seems to have a little more breakaway speed in fall camp. Let’s say his work load increases to 16 carries a game at ﬁve yards a pop. That would put him very close to 1,000 yards over the full 12-game season. Of course, he’s only going to be as good as his o ensive line blocks, and there are question marks there. A good running game would be a huge bonus for a new starting quarterback and BYU o ensive coordinator Aaron Roderick believes his o ense will be able to run the ball. If Martin stays healthy, Sione Moa continues to improve and Hinckley Ropati gets an NCAA waiver, Roderick may be right. When Tyler Allgeier was in Provo, the Cougars could line up and run the ball at

the pass rush looks di erent this year (as in better) and that was the one area the Cougars didn’t impress much in 2024. Moreso than the loss of the bulk of the defensive line from last year is replacing Jakob Robinson and Marque Collins as starting cornerbacks. I believe there is talent to step up but we have to see it ﬁrst. It’s easy to believe in Hill as one of the country’s top defensive coordinators. Can he simply plug in new guys to key positions and continue his success?

Hype: After two straight wins against the Utes, BYU owns Utah right now.

Do you know what Utah ﬁnished in rushing in the Big 12 last season?

14th. Out of 16 teams. Huh.

BYU fans are facing a number of “hype vs. reality” situations in 2025 as well. Here’s a look at a few of them.

I’m not saying Fano and his mates won’t be better this season. There were tons of injuries in Salt Lake last season and a freshman quarterback. All I’m saying is sometimes it’s hard to tell the di erence between the hype and the reality. Basing your opinions on hype can lead to big disappointments when reality comes crashing down on you. of Arizona

Hype:

aged 34 points in the other nine games but scored just 13 and 23 in the two losses.

Still, Retzla led BYU to 11 wins. That’s not too shabby. I know coaches would rather have a senior quarterback returning than someone untested. Will a new starting quarterback be able to get the victories?

tantly, the Cougars averand not untested. victories?

National media was ready to put BYU easily into the Top 25 with Retzla returning, but not so much since he had to leave.

Hype: Running back

LJ

Martin is healthy

and he’s

going to run for 1,000 yards in 2025.

Martin has played in ten games in each of his two seasons at BYU, averaging about 11 carries per game as a freshman and 14 as a sophomore. All reports point to Martin being in the best

with Retzla returning, but not so as

anybody. Can that be true in 2025? can make a consistent game.

In Carson

Ryan, BYU ﬁnally has a tight end that can make a consistent impact in the passing

The BYU coaches are saying all the right things about Ryan and he appears to be a favorite target during fall camp. It also appears Ryan is the kind of tight end who can play every down as a blocker and a receiver. Everyone points to Isaac Rex as the last Cougar tight end who could do that, Even then, Rex was kind of a big-play guy but not someone who was getting a lot of targets. The most catches he had in a season was just 37 (in 2020), well short of the numbers put up by other BYU tight end greats. I’ll have to see the Cougars commitment to throwing to the tight

Cougars commitment to throwing to the tight end before I believe it.

Reality: Wouldn’t you just love for the Cougars to run o nine wins in a row against their rivals? This series has been crazy close over the years and during Utah’s nine-game winning streak BYU had plenty of opportunities to come out on top. The Cougars have been able to make the big plays in wins in 2021 and 2024. It certainly seems as if BYU, with Big 12 status and money, has caught up with the Utes and maybe even passed them. Still, Utah would have won last year’s game but for a defensive holding penalty and you know Kyle Whittingham doesn’t want to retire on a losing streak to BYU. This year’s game in Provo will be something else.

Hype: BYU was disrespected in the Big 12 preseason poll last year and reeled off 11 wins. This year, since the Cougars were voted outside the Top 25, the same thing will happen.

ranked No. 1 in the Big 12 last season, will be even better this year.

Reality: Defensive coordinator Jay Hill said

Reality: Maybe. I’ve never thought that the “chip on the shoulder” card is sustainable over the course of an entire season, at least not with every player. If it was, no way BYU would have lost to Kansas. Each game has a life of it’s own and you have to be focused every time to win. That means execution, not just emotion. There are enough returners to know how that felt last season but plenty of newcomers getting their first taste of real action. Kalani Sitake’s “They don’t know but they ‘bout to find out” mantra is the battle cry. What will we find out in 2025?

COURTESY BYU PHOTO

BYU sophomore returner Parker Kingston celebrates scoring a punt return for a touchdown during the Big 12 game against Kansas State at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Sept. 21.

Sitake starts Year 10 with momentum

Cougars still have much to prove

BYU’s Kalani Sitake is entering his tenth season as head football coach at BYU.

According to the American Bar Association (and I don’t know how they found the time for this study what with all the lawsuits and litigation), the average tenure for a college football head coach is 3.8 years. Less than 32% of them make it to their tenth season.

DARNELL DICKSON

Right now, Sitake is the the third-longest tenured BYU football coach in school history behind LaVell Edwards (29 seasons) and Bronco Mendenhall (11 seasons).

But you don’t need all those stats to understand that Sitake is a rare breed.

Sitake was announced as BYU’s new head coach after the Cougars wild 35-28 loss to

Utah in the 2015 Las Vegas Bowl, Mendenhall’s last game before heading o to the University of Virginia. The rumors built up all day that Sitake, a former Utah assistant then the defensive coordinator at Oregon State, was taking the job.

While I was walking to Sam Boyd Stadium from the parking lot, BYU Athletic Director Tom Holmoe drove by in his car with his window down. I said, “Hey, Tom, when are you going to introduce the most popular man in Las Vegas?”

He smiled and simply said, “See you later, man” as he rolled up his window. Gangster move, Tom. Gangster. Holmoe made some pretty good choices for coaches over his career, and Sitake has been a stellar one. Sure, there were some not-so-great-years but he seems to be coming into his own as the Cougars wrap their arms around the Big 12 for Season 3.

In nine years, Sitake has posted a 72-43 record (63%) and is 5-2 in bowl games (71%). He’s 9-12 against the AP Top 25, has had 13

NFL draft picks and ﬁve seasons of eight or more wins.

But, again, Sitake is more than just about wins and losses.

It’s always been that way at BYU when it comes to athletics but Sitake’s “love and learning” approach, which has its detractors, appears to be working pretty well. The Cougars were 11-2 last season and won their ﬁrst nine games. Keeping that momentum isn’t going to be easy, especially since Jake Retlza is now competing for the starting quarterback spot at Tulane. Playing in an ultra-competitive Big 12 and, as we found out this week, starting a true freshman at quarterback, will all add to the intrigue.

When he took the job in 2015, Sitake said, “I’m living proof that BYU is a special place. I never left. I always bled blue.”

Lest we forget, the last BYU football coach to actually play for the Cougars before Sitake’s return was Eddie Kimball back in 1937.

Kimball was followed by Chick Atkinson, Hal Kopp, Tally Stevens, Hal Mitchell, Tommy

Hudspeth, Edwards, Gary Crowton and Mendenhall.

It means something that Sitake has lived the life he’s asking his players to live. It means something to the players he recruits and to the ones he convinces to stay when the transfer portal and NIL come calling.

At the start of his tenth fall camp as BYU head coach, Sitake said, “I’m still learning. I’m still open to trying to ﬁnd ways to get better as a coach and as a person. I have a lot of resources, a lot of people around me that can help me get there and these players make it a lot easier for me to get that done.”

Everything seemed to be lining up for a huge year in 2025 before Reztla ’s issues. The national media, which had the Cougars as a likely Top 15 team, has cooled considerably.

The Cougars were picked to ﬁnish 13th in the Big 12 last season and worked that chip on their shoulder to 11 wins. Similarly disrespected this year, BYU has a lot to prove ... again.

Which leads to Sitake’s locker room mantra, “They don’t know but they ‘bout to ﬁnd out.”

POSITION BREAKDOWN

Quarterback

Starter: Bear Bachmeier, 6-2, 220, Fr.

Primary backup: McCae Hillstead, 5-10, 195, So.

In a somewhat surprising development, Bachmeier beat out both Hillstead and Treyson Bourguet to be named BYU’s starting quarterback to open the season. After competing for the starting job at Stanford in the spring, Bachmeier proved ahead of the curve throughout BYU’s fall practice session, eventually overtaking both of his more experienced teammates to receive the nod.

Running Back

Starter: LJ Martin, 6-2, 220, Jr.

Primary backup: Sione Moa, 5-10, 215, So. Martin and Moa are both proven performers with Martin thought by many to be on the cusp of the breakout season. The problem is the relative inexperience behind both player, with BYU looked particularly thin in the o ensive backﬁeld. Should both Martin and Moa prove healthy throughout the season, then no problem. If either incur some sort of injury limiting playing time then the Cougars could be in trouble.

Wide Receiver

Starters: Chase Roberts, 6-4, 210, Sr.; JoJo Phillips, 6-5, 205, Jr.; Parker Kingston, 5-11, 185, Sr.

Primary backups: Cody Hagen, 6-0, 185, So.; Tiger Bachmeier, 6-1, 190 Jr.; Tei Nacua, 6-2, 185, Fr.

Receiver looks to be a strong position with Roberts leading the way, ﬂanked by proven performers like Phillips and Kingston, both of whom are excited about the prospect of expanding their relative roles. Both Hagen and Tiger Bachmeier contributed strong fall practice sessions with Nacua looking to pick up where his famous older brother, Puka Nacua, left o .

Tight End

Starter: Carsen Ryan, 6-4, 250, Sr.

Primary Backups: Keayen Nead, 6-5, 265, Jr.; Anthony Olsen, 6-4, 250, Jr.; Wil Zundel, 6-5, 240, Fr.

Ryan has been a standout throughout practice sessions since transferring from Utah and should be a orded plenty of targets this coming season. Nead has impressed after transferring from New Mexico with others, such as Zundel and Olsen hoping to add valuable depth.

Offensive Line

Starters: Left tackle-Isaiah Jatta, 6-6, 315 Sr; Left Guard-Weylin Lapuaho, 6-4, 310, Sr.;

Center-Bruce Mitchell, 6-4, 305, Jr.; Right Guard-Austin Leausa, 6-5, 315, Jr.; Right tackle-Andrew Gentry, 6-8, 315 Jr.

Primary Backups: Sonny Makasini, 6-4, 315, Jr.; Kaden Chidester, 6-8, 325, So.; Kyle Sfarcioc, 6-4, 310, Jr.; Andrew Williams, 6-8, 295, Fr.

O ensive line looks promising, with transfers Gentry and Sfarcioc living up to their billing to ﬁll key positions and experienced returners, like Lapuaho, Mitchell and Leausa looking to improve their play from a season ago. BYU’s o ensive line appears deeper and more talented than it has in some time entering the 2025 season.

Defensive tackle

Starters: Keanu Tanuvasa, 6-4, 300, Jr.; John Taumoepeaua, 6-2, 300, Sr.

Primary backups: Anisi Purcell, 6-3, 305, Jr.; Justin Kirkland, 6-3, 340 Sr.

BYU’s frontline starters, Tanuvasa and Taumoepeau are solid, but in order to be e ective at defensive tackle, there needs to be a consistent rotation due to the physical toll required to play the position ef-

fectively. Kirkland has been limited due to injury, but should provide ample backup support in key situations this season. Also, look for coaches to ﬁeld the interior defensive line position with some of their bigger defensive ends, like Bodie Schoonover and Viliami Po’uha, on occasion this season.

Defensive End

Starters: Logan Lutui, 6-2 260, Sr.; Viliami Po’uha, 6-3, 270 So.

Primary backups: Bodie Schoonover, 6-3, 265, Jr.; Bodie Schoonover, 6-3, 265, Jr.; Tausili Akana, 6-3, 235, So.

Defensive end should feature many options for coaches to employ, although those listed above are the ones we’ve seen log the most reps with the ﬁrst and second-team defenses throughout fall practices. The position is indeed one of the most intriguing on the entire team, given the upside of many top prospects that are battling for playing time.

Outside linebacker

Starters: Isaiah Glasker, 6-5, 240 Jr.; Jack Kelly 6-2, 242 Sr.

Primary Backups: Ephraim Asiata, 6-3, 210 So.; Miles Hall, 6-1, 230, So.; Ace Kaufusi, 6-4, 237, So.

Outside linebacker is arguably the strongest position on the entire team with both Glasker and Kelly returning as defensive standouts from a season ago. Backup options are intriguing, with Asiata making the switch from defensive end and Hall looking to parlay the promise he showed last season. Kaufusi has shown well throughout fall practices and can ﬁll in at either the outside or inside positions.

Inside linebacker

Starter: Siale Esera, 6-3, 245, So. Primary backup: Choe Bryant-Strother, 6-3, 240, Sr.

e ectively for playing time after switching over from outside linebacker. As mentioned, Ace Kaufusi could see ample playing time at the inside position, too.

Cornerback

Starters: Mory Bamba, 6-3, 190, Sr.; Evan Johnson, 6-0, 185, Jr.

Primary backups: Therrian Alexander, 6-2, 175, So.; Jayden Dunlap, 6-0, 185, Sr.; Tommy Prassas, 6-2, 195, So. Cornerback looks like a strong position again for the Cougars this season. Both Bamba and Johnson have been standouts throughout the fall and the backup situation looks competitive with several options, led by both Alexander and Dunlap rising to the occasion. Prassas, meanwhile, is primarily a safety, but will likely be used as BYU’s primary slot corner heading into the season.

Safety

Starters: Tanner Wall, 6-1, 205, Sr.; Raider Damuni, 6-1, 205, Jr.

Primary backups: Tommy Prassas, 6-2, 195, So.; Talan Alfrey, 6-2, 205, Sr.; Faletau Satuala, 6-4, 210, So.

Safety is a deep position led by Wall, who had a breakout season in 2024 in establishing himself as the leader in BYU’s defensive backﬁeld. Damuni showed good progress throughout last season and Prassas is due for an expanded role, whether at safety or at slot corner.

Kicker

Starter: Will Ferrin, 6-3, 175 Sr. There’s probably less concern with the kicker position than any other on the entire team. Ferrin is proven, extremely good and should provide a reliable option all season long.

Punter

Esera is a good bet for a breakout season given his upside while Bryant-Strother has been able to battle

upside while Bryant-Strother has been able to battle

Starter: Sam Vander Haar, 6-2, 220, Jr. BYU is also in good hands with regards to punting, with Vander Haar returning after providing a 42.8 average per punt last season.

Punt returner

Starter: Parker Kingston, 5-11, 185 Sr. Kingston was the headliner of BYU’s special teams play last season, returning two punts for touchdowns and is looking to expand upon that total this eason.

Kick returners

Parker Kingston and Cody Hagen, 6-0, 185, So. Coaches have been somewhat mum on who exactly will be returning kicko s, although Kingston and Hagen appear to be top options based on practice observations.

3reasons BYU will win the Big 12 Conference this season

1.

Good, but not necessarily great

The Big 12 is going to featured more than several good and solid teams this season, although no clear team that will reach true greatness. At least that’s the case on paper with many preseason prognosticators excluding Big 12 teams from their top 25 rankings, but having been more than gracious in assigning several teams top 25 status. It just so happens that BYU has been one of those teams consistently ranked just in-

side the top 25 or just outside of it. So, given the lack of truly great Big 12 opponents, rising above the slew of solid, but not spectacular competition may not be that onerous of a task.

BYU should be able to field and good and competitive team this season that should be in every game played within the conference. Coming out on top of those games consistently isn’t an easy task, but as BYU clearly showed last season, doing as much isn’t as big of a stretch as anyone believed at this time last year.

BY BRANDON GURNEY Daily Herald

Fighting through the enormous parity the Big 12 Conference presents in football isn’t an easy task, but hey, BYU was on the cusp of winning it all last year, so why not this year?

Here’s three reasons why you may see the Cougars on top of the Big 12 Conference at the conclusion of the 2025 football season.

2. Dominant defense

I dislike most cliches, but I’m going to throw out a relevant one here concerning BYU football, and it’s that defense wins championships.

Fraught with presenting a brand new starting quarterback this season, the Cougars will have to rely on stellar defensive play to get over on most opponents, particularly during the first part of the season as Bear Bachmeier begins to settle in. The good news is that BYU should pose a

very strong defensive this unit led by standouts like linebackers Isaiah Glasker and Jack Kelly, along with senior safety Tanner Wall and Utah transfer defensive tackle Keanu Tanuvasa.

BYU’s defensive unit should be able to limit opposing offensive production and therefore keep the Cougars within striking distance in every game played this coming season. Should BYU’s offense prove to have just enough, then it could very well equate to winning a Big 12 Conference Championship.

3. Favorable schedule

BYU’s initial slate of Big 12 opponents appears to be winnable, which should work well in helping develop BYU’s young quarterback for the gauntlet from mid-October to mid-November when the Cougars take on Utah, Iowa State, Texas Tech and TCU in consecutive weeks. But the front end has BYU playing games versus a Colorado team on the road with a lot of question marks, at home versus a beatable West Virginia squad and

then a road outing at Arizona, a team that proved relatively hapless throughout last season. In short, the schedule is favorable in terms of stacking up wins at the outset and then being well prepared to take on tougher teams later in the season.

In short, if the Big 12 Conference proved anything last season, it’s that the team prognosticated to finish at the bottom, or very well near it (Arizona State) could very well wind up on top of everyone else. So, why not BYU this season?

The Crystal Ball

How will BYU football’s season play

BY JARED LLOYD Daily Herald

justiﬁed after the Cougars stumbled to a 5-7 record in 2023, including a number of ugly blowout losses.

Well, not so much.

What do the BYU football program and famous comedian Rodney Dangerﬁeld

They don’t get any respect. It could be argued that lack of respect was

But BYU ﬂipped the script in 2024, winning nine straight to start the year and tying for the Big 12 title. If not for a pair of mediocre performance in November, the Cougars may have been headed to the College Football Playo .

So everyone is now buzzing about how BYU is poised to become a power again, right?

The Cougars got a lukewarm recognition in the US LBM Coaches Poll, coming in ranked No. 23. The Associated Press voters weren’t as optimistic, putting BYU with the 26th most votes.

The argument generally is that the Cougars lost too many starters on defense, got gutted by the investigation and subsequent transfer of quarterback Jake Retzla , and are also likely to regress to mean after forcing a lot of takeaways in 2024 (22 interceptions to lead the nation) and going 4-2 in one-score games.

But these are the same folks who said BYU would be lucky to make a bowl game in last fall and they ended up wildly o -target.

So who knows?

I probably don’t ... but I’m going to go through every game and make my best guess anyway. It’s time once again to peer into my crystal ball — hazy though the images may be (last year I was 6-6 with my picks). On the following pages, I’ll look at the possibilities and the Daily Herald sports team will predict what the scores will be in each of the 12 Cougar regular-season games in 2025.

2025 BYU Football Schedule

Saturday, Aug. 30

Portland State, 6 p.m. MT (ESPN+)

BYU won the only other meeting 20-6 in Provo in 2017.

Saturday, Sept. 6

Stanford, 8:15 p.m. MT (ESPN)

Stanford leads the series 2-1 but BYU won the last meeting 35-26 on the road in 2022.

Saturday, Sept. 20 at East Carolina, TBA

The Pirates lead the series 2-1 and won the last meeting 27-24 in Provo in 2022.

Saturday, Sept. 27 at Colorado, 8:15 p.m. MT (ESPN)

The Buffaloes lead the overall series 8-4 but BYU won 36-14 in last year’s Alamo Bowl.

Friday, Oct. 3 West Virginia, 8:30 p.m. MT (ESPN)

The Mountaineers are 2-0 against BYU and won the last meeting 37-7 at Provo in 2023.

Saturday, Oct. 11 at Arizona, TBA

The Cougars hold a 13-12-1 edge in the

series, with a four-game winning streak including 41-19 in Provo last season.

Saturday, Oct. 18 Utah, TBA

Utah leads the rivalry series 60-33-4 but BYU has won the past two games, including a 22-21 win in Salt Lake City last season.

Saturday, Oct. 25 at Iowa State, TBA

The Cyclones are 5-0 against BYU, including a 45-13 rout in Provo in 2023.

Saturday, Nov. 8 at Texas Tech, TBA

The overall series is tied 1-1, with BYU get-

ting a 27-14 win in Provo in 2023.

Saturday, Nov. 15 TCU, TBA

The Horned Frogs lead the overall series 7-5 and have won the past five meetings, the last a 44-11 victory in Fort Worth in 2023.

Saturday, Nov. 22 Cincinnati, TBA

BYU is 3-0 against the Bearcats and won 35-27 in Provo in 2023.

Saturday, Nov. 29 UCF, TBA

The Cougars lead the overall series 3-1 and won 37-24 in Orlando last season.

COURTESY BYU PHOTO

BYU head coach Kalani Sitake and players celebrate with the Cougar fans after the Big 12 game against UCF at FBC Mortgage Stadium in Orlando on Oct. 26.

Portland State Vikings

Aug. 30 | 6 p.m.

MT | ESPN+ | LaVell

Edwards Stadium

Crystal Ball

If BYU is an elite team: The Cougars overwhelm the overmatched visitors, turning a ﬁrst quarter turnover into a touchdown as part of an early blitz. By the fourth quarter, the lead is so big that BYU clears the bench.

If BYU takes a step backwards: The Cougar quarterback situation doesn’t inspire much conﬁdence as miscues in timing and execution from the signal-callers result in

Opponent

Head coach: Bruce Barnum (11th year)

2023: 3-8 overall (FCS)

repeated stalled drives. The BYU defense keeps the home team in front but it is too ugly for Cougar fans to enjoy.

What will actually happen: Physicality in the trenches will be the di erence maker on both sides of the ball. BYU’s defensive front seven will be too much for Portland State to handle and its o ense will sputter, while the Cougar o ensive line will wear down the Vikings. Look for big numbers in the run game as BYU wins comfortably.

Players to Watch: Brandon Alvarez (Sr. WR), Tanner Beaman (Jr. TE), Delon Thompson (So. RB), Jaylen Lynch (Jr. WR), Slade Shufelt (Sr. DE), Pedro Timoteo (Sr. OL), Davin Beason (Jr. LB), Isaiah Green (So. DB)

Outlook: The Vikings endured another tough year in 2024, dropping their first five games before closing the year by playing .500 ball (three wins,

Predictions

three losses). The big problem was on the defensive side of the ball, where Portland State allowed 40 points per game. The Vikings hope they’ve addressed those issues and can take a step in the right direction.

Opponent

Head coach:

Bruce Barnum (11th year)

2023: 3-8 overall (FCS)

Stanford Cardinals

Sept. 6 | 8:15 p.m. MT | ESPN | LaVell Edwards Stadium

Crystal Ball

If BYU is an elite team: The Cougars don’t give the visiting Cardinal any chance to dream of the upset, seizing control from the opening kicko and never looking back. BYU is aggressive on defense and forces some costly Stanford mistakes.

If BYU takes a step backwards: Big plays prove to be disastrous for the home team as the Cardinal come in with no pressure and stun the Cougars, scoring on a pair of long passes to build a lead. BYU ﬁghts back but fails to make up for the early mistakes.

What will actually happen: Stanford may eventually return to prominence in college football but it’s not happening this year, and a trip to Provo won’t help. BYU will win the field position battle and turn it into enough points to win comfortably.

Outlook: The Vikings endured another tough year in 2024, dropping their ﬁrst ﬁve games before closing

the year by playing .500 ball (three wins, three losses). The big problem was on the defensive side of the ball, where Portland State allowed 40 points per game. The Vikings hope they’ve addressed those issues and can take a step in the right direction.