CLEVELAND, Ohio — Nine BYU football players have been named to the Phil Steele Preseason All-Big 12 Team for the upcoming 2025 season, including five named to the first-team.
The Cougars were led by first-team selections, Will Ferrin (kicker), Isaiah Glasker (linebacker), Garrison Grimes (long snapper), Parker Kingston (punt returner) and Chase Roberts (wide receiver).
Jack Kelly (linebacker), a repeat selection from 2024, was selected to the Phil Steele second team, while Weylin Lapuaho (offensive line), also a repeat selection, Keanu Tanuvasa (defensive line) and Mory Bamba (cornerback) were all named to the third team.
Ferrin and Kingston were also named to the 2025 Phil Steele Preseason All-American Team, with Ferrin receiving second-team honors and Kingston third team. Four of the Cougars selected Preseason All-Big 12 for 2025 previously received Phil Steele postseason honors at the conclusion the 2024 football season, including Ferrin, Kelly, Roberts and Glasker.
FERRIN was named the 2024 Big 12 Co-Special Teams Player of the Year and was also the College Football Network Big 12 Kicker of the Year. In addition, he was named first-team All-Big 12 by the Coaches, AP, College Football Network and Phil Steele. In 2024, Ferrin set new BYU records for field goals in a season (24) and tied the school record for consecutive field goals made (16). A Lou Groza Award Semifinalist, Ferrin led the Big 12 in field goals and was eighth nationally. He also converted all 41 of his extra-point attempts to lead all conference kickers in scoring with 113 points (8.7 per game). The 6-3, 175-pound senior from Kaysville, Utah, also excels in the classroom with a 3.52 GPA in business management and was selected Academic All-Big 12 and named Academic All-District by College Sports Communicators.
A 6-5, 235-pound junior from South Jordan, Utah, GLASKER was named Chuck Bednarik National Player of the Week on Oct. 15 by the Maxwell Football Club for his performance in BYU’s 41-19 win over Arizona. Against the Wildcats, he totaled five solo tackles, two tackles for loss, two quarterback hurries, an interception for a 21-yard touchdown, a sack, a pass break up and a forced fumble that led to a BYU field goal. During the 2024 regular season, Glasker led the Big 12 in tackles for loss with 13.5. For the Cougars, he was second on the team with 62 tackles, 3.5 sacks, eight quarterback hurries and two interceptions. Glasker was named Midseason All-America by The Athletic and Midseason All-Big 12 by CFN.
GRIMES, the son of former BYU offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes, was a three-year starter at long snapper for Baylor before transferring to BYU following the 2024 season. He appeared in 31 games for the Bears where he was the primary long snapper for three seasons after redshirting in 2021. The 6-foot-2, 220-pound senior was First-Team Academic All-Big 12 in football and named to Big 12 Commissioner's Honor Roll in 2022.
Following the 2024 season, KINGSTON was named to the Associated Press All-Bowl team as a punt returner, having returned four punts for 105 yards against Colorado, including a 64-yarder for a touchdown that gave BYU a 17-0 lead. In 2024, Kingston returned 16 punts for 236 yards and two touchdowns. As a receiver, he also racked up 196 yards on 13 catches with one touchdown and threw for another score on a trick play. Kingston was named Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Week following a 90-yard punt return for a touchdown in BYU's 38-9 win over No. 13 Kansas State on Sept. 21. The 5-11, 185-pound punt junior from Layton, Utah, is just the third player in Big 12 history to have multiple career games with a passing and receiving touchdown.
ROBERTS was named All-Big 12 Third Team by Phil Steele and the College Football Network following the 2024 season. The Cougar Captain led BYU in receiving yards (854) and receptions (52) in 2024. He also tied for the most receiving touchdowns on season with four. The 6-4, 210-pound senior from Highland, Utah, was named to the Midseason All-Big 12 Second Team by College Football Network and was on the Athlon Sports Preseason All-Big 12 Fourth Team.
In his first season at BYU in 2024, KELLY led the Cougars with 12 quarterback hurries, five sacks, two forced fumbles and was second in tackles for loss with 10. He was top 10 in the Big 12 in forced fumbles and tackles for loss and was named the Midseason Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year by CFN. Kelly was also on the preseason watch lists for the Butkus Award and East-West Shrine Bowl.
Over the past three season, BAMBA has appeared in 22 games for the Cougars including five starts in 2024. The 6-3, 190-pound senior cornerback has a career 17 tackles, four pass breakups and five passes defended.
A 6-4, 310-pound senior from South Jordan, Utah, LAPUAHO started all 13 games for BYU at guard or tackle and was named to the watch list for the Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award in 2024. He helped the BYU offense average 392 yards per game with a balanced attack of 161 yards rushing and 231 yards passing. Lapuaho was Phil Steele Preseason All-Big 12 selection in 2024, after being named Academic All-Big 12 First Team in 2023.
TANUVASA was a two-year starter on the defensive line at Utah before transferring to BYU following the 2024 season. The 6-4, 300-pound junior from Mission Viejo, California, appeared in 24 games for the Utes with 19 starts. He was named All-Big 12 Conference honorable mention following the 2024 season. Tanuvasa totaled 49 tackles and four sacks in 24 games at Utah.
PHIL STEELE PRESEASON ALL-BIG 12
First Team
Will Ferrin - K
Isaiah Glasker - LB
Garrison Grimes - LS
Parker Kingston - PR
Chase Roberts - WR
Second Team
Jack Kelly - LB
Third Team
Mory Bamba - CB
Weylin Lapuaho - OL
Keanu Tanuvasa - DL