CLEVELAND, Ohio — A total of 10 BYU football players were named to the 2021 Phil Steele All-Independent Teams for offense, defense and special teams.
Led by Phil Steele Fourth-Team All-America running back Tyle Allgeier, the Cougars placed six football players on the All-Independent Offensive First Team. Joining Allgeier was quarterback Jaren Hall, wide receiver Puka Nacua, tight end Isaac Rex, right guard Clark Barrington and right tackle Blake Freeland.
Rex and Allgeier were named to the Phil Steele All-Independent First Team for the second time, having both been named All-Independent in 2020.
Cornerback Kaleb Hayes was named First Team All-Independent Defense in 2021, while punter Ryan Rehkow was named the All-Independent First Team punter for the second-consecutive season, having also received the honor in 2020.
Two additional Cougars, linebacker Payton Wilgar and free safety Malik Moore, were named to the Phil Steele Second Team All-Independent Defense.
PHIL STEELE — ALL-INDEPENDENT TEAMS
First-Team Offense
QB Jaren Hall, BYU
QB Malik Willis, Liberty
RB Tyler Allgeier, BYU
RB Kyren Williams, Notre Dame
WR Puka Nacua, BYU
WR Kevin Austin, Notre Dame
TE Michael Mayer, Notre Dame
TE Isaac Rex, BYU
C Jarrett Patterson, Notre Dame
OG Cain Madden, Notre Dame
OG Clark Barrington, BYU
OT Blake Freeland, BYU
OT Sage Doxtater, New Mexico State
Second-Team Offense
QB Jack Coan, Notre Dame
QB Christian Anderson, Army West Point
RB Juwaun Price, New Mexico State
RB Ellis Merriweather, Massachusetts
WR Demario Douglas, Liberty
WR Jared Wyatt, New Mexico State
TE Johnny Huntley, Liberty
TE Josiah Johnson, Massachusetts
C Eli Johnson, New Mexico State
OG Noah Knapp, Army West Point
OG Brendan Schlittler, Liberty
OT Jordyn Law, Army West Point
OT Ryan Van Demark, Connecticut
First-Team Defense
DE Isaiah Foskey, Notre Dame
DT Jayson Ademilola, Notre Dame
DT Nolan Cockrill, Army West Point
DE Travis Jones, Connecticut
LB Andre Carter, Army West Point
LB Storey Jackson. Liberty
LB JD Bertrand, Notre Dame
LB Arik Smith, Army West Point
CB DJ McCullough, New Mexico State
CB Kaleb Hayes, BYU
S Kyle Hamilton, Notre Dame
S Marquel Broughton, Army West Point
Second-Team Defense
DE TreShaun Clark, Liberty
DT Elijah James, Liberty
DT Ralfs Rusins, Liberty
DE Myron Tagovailoa-Amosa, Notre Dame
LB Trevor Brohard, New Mexico State
LB Jackson Mitchell, Connecticut
LB Payton Wilgar, BYU
LB Chris Ojoh, New Mexico State
CB Jabari Moore, Army West Point
CB Cam Hart, Notre Dame
S Malik Moore, BYU
S Caleb Mills, New Mexico State
First-Team Special Teams
K Jonathan Doerer, Notre Dame
P Ryan Rehkow, BYU
KR Brian Brewton, Connecticut
PR Tyrell Robinson, Army West Point
LS Austin Mock, Liberty
Second-Team Special Teams
K Ethan Albertson, New Mexico State
P Jay Bramblett, Notre Dame
KR Chris Tyree, Notre Dame
PR Demario Douglas, Liberty
LS Evan Deckers, Massachusetts
TYLER ALLGEIER
Running Back | 5-11, 220 | Sophomore | Fontana, California
- Doak Walker Award Semifinalist
- No. 1 (tied) in the Nation in rushing TDs: 20
- No. 3 (tied) in total TDs: 20
- No. 6 in rushing YPG: 117.4
- No. 8 in rushing yards: 1,409; total carries: 249
- No. 1 among all Independent Teams in TDs, rushing TDs, rushing yards, rushing YPG, scoring per game (10), total points (120), all-purpose yards (133)
- No. 2 in rush yards per carry (5.6)
- No. 4 points responsible (120), points responsible per game (10)
- No. 8 total offense per game (117.4)
- Week 10 Heisman Hopeful
- Capital One Orange Bowl Player of the Week (Nov. 3)
- Three-time Independent Offensive Player of the Week — College Sports Madness
- Team Assistant Captain (offense)
- Maxwell Award and Paul Hornung Award watchlist
JAREN HALL
Quarterback | 6-1, 205 | Sophomore | Spanish Fork, Utah
No. 1 among all Independent teams in total offense (289), passing efficiency (156.1), passing yards per game (258.3), passing yards per completion (13.67) and yard per pass attempt (8.73)
- No. 2 (tied) in passing TDs (20), points responsible (140), points responsible per game (14.0), completion percentage (.639), completion per game (18.9)
- No. 4 in passing yards (2,583) despite missing two games
- Started 10 of 12 games (missed USF and Utah State games due to injury)
- Team Captain (offense) in 2021, earning starting role after departure of Zach Wilson to the NFL Draft
PUKA NACUA
Wide Receiver | 6-2, 210 | Sophomore | Provo, Utah
No. 1 among all Independent teams in receiving yards (798), receiving YPG (72.4), yards per reception (18.95)
- No. 2 (tied) receiving TDs (6)
- No. 5 in receptions per game (3.8)
- No. 6 in all-purpose yards (84)
- Led BYU in receiving yards, receiving YPG, yards per reception, receiving TDs (6)
- No. 2 in receptions (42) and yards per catch (19.0)
- Played in 11 of 12 games (missed Arizona due to injury)
ISAAC REX
Tight End | 6-6, 247 | Freshman | San Clemente, California
No. 3 on BYU in TD receptions (3)
- No. 5 in receptions (18)
- No. 6 in receiving yards (191), yards per game (15.9)
- Started 11 of 12 games at tight end
- John Mackey Award Watch List
CLARK BARRINGTON
Left Guard | 6-6, 302 | Sophomore | Spokane, Washington
- 2021 Action Network All-America Second Team
- 2021 Pro Football Focus All-America Third Team
- Started every game in 2021 at left guard as highest-graded lineman
- Joe Moore Award Midseason Watch List (BYU O-Line)
- Helped BYU rank No. 17 in the nation in total offense with 457.1 yards per game
- Helped BYU to a 10-2 record and No. 12/14 rankings; No. 13 CFP ranking
BLAKE FREELAND
Left Tackle | 6-8, 305 | Sophomore | Herriman, Utah
- Started every game in 2021 with high grades as left tackle
- Joe Moore Award Midseason Watch List (BYU O-Line)
- Helped BYU rank No. 17 in the nation in total offense with 457.1 yards per game
- Helped BYU to a 10-2 record and No. 12/14 rankings; No. 13 CFP ranking
KALEB HAYES
Cornerback | 5-11, 190 | Junior | San Bernardino, California
- No. 1 among independents and tied No. 11 in nation in pass breakups (12)
- Season-high 4 pass breakups in win over USC at LA Coliseum
- No. 9 at BYU in solo tackles (18)
- Played in all 12 games, started the final nine in first season with Cougars
PAYTON WILGAR
Linebacker | 6-3, 245 | Sophomore | St. George, Utah
No. 2 (tied) among Independents in interceptions per game (.2)
- No. 14 (tied) tackles per game (5.6)
- No. 2 on BYU in assisted tackles (27), tackles of loss (6)
- No. 3 in total tackles (56), solo tackles (29) and interceptions (2)
- Started 10 of 10 games (missed final two games with season-ending injury)
MALIK MOORE
Free Safety | 6-1, 190 | Junior | San Diego
No. 1 (tied) among Independents for total interceptions (3)
- No. 2 (tied) in interceptions per game (.2)
- No. 1 on BYU in interceptions (3)
- No. 8 in total tackles (32)
- Helped BYU rank No. 9 nationally in turnover margin (+.83)
- Started all 12 games at free safety
RYAN REHKOW
Punter | 6-5, 240 | Freshman | Veradale, Washington
- Ray Guy Award Watchlist
- Ray Guy Award – Ray’s 8 Awardee (Oct. 4)
- Would be No. 4 in the Nation in Punting Average: 48.7 (*three punts shy of being included among NCAA stats leaders)
- No. 14 nationally in Net Punting (42.9)
- No. 1 freshman in Punting Average
- Placed 16 of 39 punts inside the 20 (.410)
- BYU record 83-yard punt in win over then No. 19 ASU (4th longest in FBS in 2021)
- Played in all 12 games as punter and field goal and PAT holder
- Team Assistant Captain (special teams)