Fall camp is just a couple of weeks away. To start things off let’s get a look at the defense for the Cougars. With returning talent and some who have played elsewhere but have transferred to BYU. This defense has great potential going into the 2022 season.
Defensive line
Earl Tuioti-Mariner SR, Blake Mangelson SO, John Nelson SO at SE
Tyler Batty SO, Alden Tofa SR, Fisher Jackson SO at DE
Gabe Summers JR, Lorenzo Fauatea SR, Alema Pilimai JR, Hunter Greer FR at T
Caden Haws SO, Josh Larsen FR, Atunaisa Mahe JR, Joshua Singh FR at N
Tyler Batty SO, Alden Tofa SR, Fisher Jackson SO, Aisea Moa FR at OE
With so many returning to the Defensive line cougar fans should expect to see them picking up where they left off last season. With this big and strong of a line stopping the run, getting to the quarterback, and keeping the ball out of the endzone is going to be an easy task.
Linebackers
Ben Bywater R-SO, Jackson Kaufusi R-JR, Josh Wilson SO at Will
Chaz Ah You SR, Max Tooley R-JR, Morgan Pyper R-JR at Flash
Keenan Pili R-JR, Pepe Tanuvasa R-SR at Mike
Payton Wilgar R-JR, Tavita Gagnier R-JR at Rover
George Udo JR, Matt Criddle R-SR at Cinco
Jakob Robinson SO, Jacob Boren JR, Caleb Christensen SO at Nickel
The linebackers return bigger, better, and healthy for the 2022 season. During media day they all talked about being healthy and ready to go. Payton Wilgar is going to lead to group with help of the other more experienced guys in the linebacker group.
Safeties
Ammon Hannemann R-SO, Micah Harper R-FR, Talan Alfrey R-FR at SS
Malik Moore SR, Hayden Livingston R-JR at FS
Ready to pick off quarterbacks and keep those wide receivers from catching the ball. These safeties will be helping out a very experienced linebacker core.
Cornerbacks
D’Angelo Mandell SR, Caleb Christensen SO, Evan Johnson FR, Zion Allen FR, Nate Gills FR at CB
Kaleb Hayes R-SR, Gage Jeudy-Lally R-SO, Korbyn Green FR, Chika Ebunoha FR at CB
Here to help and play ball at all times. These guys are ready to show that they are still a very important part of the defense even though the fans don’t hear their numbers very much on game day.