PROVO, Utah — BYU's football team is in the midst of fall camp's second week with the offensive line looking to be a dominant group for 2025.
In today's position preview, Cougar fans can take a look at what BYU's offensive line unit has for the upcoming season, starting with returning offensive line coach and run game coordinator TJ Woods.
The veteran coach has 20 years of previous experience with other programs such as Wisconsin, Oregon State, UNLV, Utah State, New Mexico, and Georgia Southern. Woods spent his playing days at Citrus Junior College, Iowa State and Azusa Pacific.
The interior of the offensive line features several players with starting experience to anchor a talented group. Returning with the most experience on the offensive line is senior guard Weylin Lapuaho (6-4, 310). Lapuaho returns having started 38 games in his career (25 at BYU and 13 at Utah State). He is on the 2025 Phil Steele and Athlon Sports All-Big 12 preseason third teams.
Redshirt junior center Bruce Mitchell (6-4, 305) is another experienced lineman coming back that saw action at both guard and center. He has played in 24 career games and started six games total which were all last year. Mitchell was on the Academic All-Big 12 first team in 2023.
Austin Leausa (6-5, 315), a senior, will play his second season with the Cougars. He spent three years at Southern Utah before transferring to BYU in 2024. Leausa has played in 32 games and started in 22 of them over his career across BYU and SUU. Leausa spent time at tackle and guard last season as another versatile option.
Redshirt junior guard Sonny Makasini (6-4, 315) is another returner for BYU on the interior. He has participated in 12 games and started seven times in his career at guard. He has also seen action at center.
At the tackle position, redshirt senior Isaiah Jatta (6-6, 315), is in his second year at BYU and played in three games with two starts at the end of 2024. He previously spent one season at Colorado and two seasons at Snow College. He received NJCAA First Team All-American honors in 2022.
A portal addition for 2025, redshirt junior Andrew Gentry (6-8, 315) transferred from Michigan. He played in 26 contests including the 2023 National Championship and started in two games while at Michigan.
BYU also added guard Kyle Sfarcioc (6-4, 310) from Southern Utah to bolster the group. He appeared in 25 games for the Thunderbirds.
Redshirt sophomore tackle Kaden Chidester (6-8, 325) is coming back after competing in 12 games for the Cougars last season, mostly on special teams while other returners to the squad feature Trevin Ostler (6-4, 320), Jake Griffin (6-5, 305), Joe Brown (6-4, 305), Sione Hingano (6-5, 300), Ikinasio Tupou (6-6, 295) and Trevor Pay (6-3, 295),
Incoming freshmen this season include Brigham Alexander (6-5, 320), Jeff Lewis (6-6, 295), Ethan Thomason (6-8, 320), Andrew Williams (6-8, 295) Siosiua Latu-Finau (6-7, 310).