BYU Fall Camp 2024: Defensive Preview

BYU enters its second season in the Big 12 Conference with all of its defensive staff returning, led by defensive coordinator and safeties coach Jay Hill.

Hill's first year leading the defense brought its ups and downs with learning a new system, but the signs were there of an aggressive, fast and pressuring defense last season. The Cougar defense had 20 total takeaways in 2023, ranking No. 40 overall with 14 interceptions to tie for No. 20 overall. 

In year two, the defense should have the needed confidence due to experience last season to take a big step forward in 2024. 

Before coming to BYU, Hill led Weber State as the Wildcats' head coach for nine seasons. Defensively, Weber State was among the top performers in the FCS, finishing in the top 30 in total defense and scoring defense in five consecutive seasons, including a top 10 ranking in passing defense, No. 15 mark in total defense and top 20 in scoring defense his final two years. 

In addition to Hill coaching the safeties, Kelly Poppinga returns as the defensive ends coach, Sione Po’uha as defensive tackles coach, Justin Ena with the linebackers and Jernaro Gilford coaching the cornerbacks.

With the defensive staff intact for another year, the Cougar defense is in good hands to make a big impact for the new season. 

All-Big 12 preseason selection Tyler Batty headlines the group at defensive end looking to put more pressure on the quarterback in 2024. Batty has led the Cougars in sacks each of the last three seasons.

An All-Big 12 team selection and AFCA Good Works Team honoree, the 6-foot-5, 275-pound Batty posted 57 total tackles, nine tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks last season to lead BYU.

In addition to Batty, the Cougars return Isaiah Bagnah, Logan Lutui, Bodie Schoonover and Nuuletau Sellesin. Bagnah played in all 12 games last season with eight starts at the defensie end spot. Lutui played in 10 games with one start in 2023. 

BYU picked up a top junior college product in Sani Tuala out of Australia. A 6-foot-5, 280-pound athlete with his best football ahead of him, Tuala joins other newcomers Ephraim Asiata, a top-ranked local product, and talented Kinilau Fonohema, Nathan Hoke, Orion Maile-Kaufusi, Viliami Po’uha and Carson Tujague.  

The Cougars reworked the interior defensive line for 2024, returning John Nelson who spent time at end and tackle in 2023. Nelson, out of Salem, Utah, can hold down the middle at 6-foot-4 and 290 pounds.

Moving over from end also includes Blake Mangelson, a lengthy 6-foot-5, 270-pounder out of Nephi, Utah. Mangelson recorded 27 tackles in 12 game last night.

David Latu also returns in the middle after his first season as a Cougar in 2023. The 6-foot-4, 305-pound transfer from Snow College saw action in all 12 games last year.

BYU also returns Joshua Singh after another year of experience and welcomes newcomers Dallin Havea, Dallin Johnson, Iosefa Letuili, John Taumoepeau and Luke Toomalatai.

Toomalatai, a 6-foot-2, 315-pounder from Las Vegas transferred in from Long Beach City College.

BYU will have a new-look linebacker room, especially after Ben Bywater announced his college career was over while working to recover from his injury. Bywater finished his Cougar career with 247 total tackles, including 102 in 2022.

Four-star transfer Jack Kelly joined the program in January from Weber State. The 6-foot-2, 240-pound Kelly was a sought-after pass rusher that knows Coach Hill’s defense. Kelly played in 28 games for the Wildcats, totaling 85 tackles, 20 tackles for loss, 16.5 sacks, five forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, seven pass breakups and an interception. He led the Big Sky with 10.5 sacks last season.

Redshirt sophomore Harrison Taggart returns, who started four games after Bywater went down last year. The Oregon transfer posted 28 total tackles. In addition to Taggart, BYU also expects big things from another four-star recruit in Siale Esera returning for his sophomore season. The 6-foot-3, 250-pounder from Provo played in five games, totaling 19 tackles and an interception in his true freshman campaign.

More experience returns in Ace Kaufusi, who played in all 12 games, along with Lucky Finau, Isaiah Glasker, Miles Hall, Maika Kaufusi and Sione Moa.

Aisea Moa moved from defensive end to linebacker and BYU also added another graduate transfer with UCLA’s Choe Bryant-Strother.

Bryant-Strother, a 6-foot-3, 235-pound versatile athlete played in 32 games for the Bruins over four years.

One side of the field returns to lock down receivers in Jim Thorpe Award Semifinalist Jakob Robinson at cornerback.

Robinson has played in 41 games in his college career with 23 starts. The 5-foot-11, 170-pound athlete has eight career interceptions, including four last season and one that he returned for a touchdown.

The other cornerback spot will feature a new face in 2024, with a few players aiming to take over. 

Returner Mory Bamba has length at 6-foot-3, 195 pounds, and has played in 12 games for the Cougars over two seasons after transferring from Tyler Junior College.

BYU added experienced cornerback Marque Collins from Weber State to compete and add depth. Collins played in 46 games during his Wildcat career, earning All-Big Sky honorable mention in 2021.

Returners looking for opportunities include Kevin Doe, Jayden Dunlap, Chika Ebunoha, Koa Eldredge, Evan Johnson and Marcus McKenzie. Ebunoha saw time at safety last year while Doe and Eldredge switched over from the wide receiver room last year.

Georgia product Therrian Alexander joins the program looking to make an immediate impact. The long-framed 6-foot-3 Alexander joins newcomer Jonathan Kabeya as the freshmen joining the cornerbacks in 2024.

After the 2023 season hit the safety position hard, BYU's room is now loaded with experience. With a crowded room of 14 safeties, the position group now boasts one of the deepest lineups on the defense.

Four players return that started games in 2023 with Talan Alfrey, Ethan Slade, Crew Wakley and Tanner Wall. Micah Harper also returns in 2024 after missing last year due to injury and started nine games in 2022 and five in 2021.

The 6-foot, 195-pound Slade was third on the team in 2023 with 60 total tackles. The Orem product added an interception and three pass breakups. Wakley was right behind him with 59 tackles while Wall had 22 and Alfrey posted 16 in just three games after returning from an injury.

Sophomore Raider Damuni and redshirt sophomore Preston Rex are also both back who got reps last season at safety and played in 11 and nine games, respectively. Damuni, at 6-foot-1, 200-pounds, saw his role increase throughout the season in 2023 as a true freshman that totaled 21 tackles.

Also returning is Malae Tanuvasa and Petey Tuipulotu to the safety room.

Coach Hill added talent to the room for the future and to compete this year with four-star Bountiful High School product Faletau Satuala, Jarinn Kalama, Matthias Leach, Tommy Prassas and Payton VanSteenkiste.