On Saturday, December 28, 2024, at the Valero Alamo Bowl in San Antonio, BYU head coach Kalani Sitake celebrates an interception. Allred, Jeffrey D., Deseret News
According to the superstitious, problems usually occur in groups of three. However, Kalani Sitake, the football coach at BYU, believes that he has all the necessary components for another successful run in the Big 12. Sitake and his staff are thrilled about the return of three major players at almost every position group after BYU’s 11-2 season, 36-14 Alamo Bowl victory over Colorado, and anticipated top 15 rating.
After a combined total of 190 tackles, 27 tackles-for-loss, 10 sacks, five interceptions, and four forced fumbles in the previous season, starting linebackers Jack Kelly, Harrison Taggart, and Isaiah Glasker are back.
They are also supported by a skilled team that includes Miles Hall, Ace Kaufusi, Choe Bryant-Strother, and Siale Esera. Associated
Mory Bamba, Evan Johnson, and Tanner Wall will all return to the secondary. Together, they recorded five of BYU’s 22 interceptions and six pass breakups, which led the FBS last season.
Raider Damuni, Talan Alfrey, Ethan Slade, and Faletau Satuala also spent time at safety. Special units Keelan Marion, Parker Kingston, and Will Ferrin—all excellent special teams players—will return. Marion’s two touchdown kickoff returns earned him All-American status. In the Alamo Bowl, Kingston returned two punts for scores, including one that was 64 yards long.
Ferrin makes a comeback after finishing the season with 16 consecutive field goals, setting a school record of 24. Ferrin kicked six times from a distance of 49 yards or more. His standout moment came in Salt Lake City when he made a 44-yard field goal to defeat Utah 22-21. Additionally, the soon-to-be senior scored on each of the 41 point-after attempts.
Marion, Darius Lassiter (maybe), and Chase Roberts will return to head the receivers room on the offensive end of the ball. Together, they hauled in 121 passes for 1,903 yards and nine touchdowns from quarterback Jake Retzlaff. JoJo Phillips and Kingston, two more returners, hauled in 23 passes for 407 yards and three scores.
A trio of runners led by Retzlaff, LJ Martin, and Sione Moa amassed 1,284 running yards and 16 touchdowns in the 2024 campaign. They will run and pass behind an offensive line in 2025 that is led by Weylin Lapuaho, Bruce Mitchell, and possibly Caleb Etienne, a member of the Big 12 First Team. Sonny Makasini and Austin Leausa have also started.
Through the transfer portal, the Cougars acquired Kyle Sfarcioc (Southern Utah) and Andrew Gentry (Michigan). Quarterbacks Treyson Bourguet, McCae Hillstead, and Retzlaff are in the quarterback room. Retzlaff has started all 13 of BYU’s 2024 games and the last 17 games overall. Each of Bourguet and Hillstead practices Aaron Roderick’s playbook for an entire season.
Football at BYU in 2025 In contrast to how they were treated last summer, BYU should be easily in the preseason top 25 and regarded as a Big 12 contender with at least three stalwarts in each position group. BYU will show off their prowess as a favorite in 2025 rather than sulking as a recurrent underdog.
With seniors Tyler Batty, John Nelson, Blake Mangelson, and Isaiah Bagnah gone, the defensive line is the lone position lacking three key returners. 103 Remarks Nonetheless, the Cougars have a wealth of experience thanks to a few significant additions and the way defensive coordinator Jay Hill gave his younger guys game time.
Transfers Anisi Purcell (Southern Utah), Tausili Akana (Texas), and Keanu Tanuvasa (Utah) were signed by BYU. A long list of players who saw action in 2024, including Logan Lutui (13 games), Joshua Singh (13 games), Bodie Schoonover (13 games), John Taumoepeau (12 games), Ephraim Asiata (11 games), Viliami Po’uha (13 games), and Luke To’omalatai (eight games), was bolstered by the addition of Hunter Clegg, a former Ute commit and returned missionary
Sitake’s luck has also come in threefold: his Cougars defeated Colorado in the Alamo Bowl, he was given a long-term contract extension, and the coach will be inducted into the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame on Saturday. In addition to being a play-by-play commentator and show host for BYUtv/ESPN+, Dave McCann writes sports articles and columns for the Deseret News. He is the author of the children’s book “C is for Cougar,” which can be found at deseretbook.com, and co-hosts “Y’s Guys” on ysguys.com.