ALBUQUERQUE, New Mexico — While BYU prepares to take on SMU in the New Mexico Bowl on Saturday, 11 members of the football team were named today to the 2022 Phil Steele Independent All-Conference Teams for offense, defense and special teams.
Led by left tackle Blake Freeland, who was also named to the Phil Steele All-American Honorable Mention Team, five BYU offensive standouts were named Independent All-Conference First Team. Joining Freeland on the first team was quarterback Jaren Hall, tight end Isaac Rex, running back Chris Brooks and wide receiver Puka Nacua.
Three additional Cougars were named to the second team, including wide receiver Kody Epps, offensive left guard Clark Barrington and offensive right tackle Kingsley Suamataia.
On defense, BYU linebacker Ben Bywater and safety Micah Harper were named to the Phil Steele Independent All-Conference Second Team, while Ryan Rehkow was named the Independent All-Conference First-Team punter.
Rex was named to the Phil Steele Independent All-Conference First Team for the third time, having previously been honored in 2020 and 2021. Hall, Nacua, Freeland, Barrington and Rehkow were also repeat selections, having been named to one of the Phil Steele Independent All-Conference Teams in 2021.
Freeland has received post-season All-America honors in 2022 from The Associate Press, Pro Football Focus and Phil Steele.
Cougars selected to the Phil Steele Independent All-Conference Teams
First Team Offense
QB Jaren Hall
RB Chris Brooks
WR Puka Nacua
TE Isaac Rex
OT Blake Freeland
Second Team Offense
WR Kody Epps
OG Clark Barrington
OT Kingsley Suamataia
Second Team Defense
LB Ben Bywater
S Micah Harper
First Team Special Teams
P Ryan Rehkow
Phil Steele All-American Honorable Mention Team
OT Blake Freeland