Breaking news:The fruits of BYU cougars head coach Kalani Sitake labor are about to blossom as the next generation of players for the….
The superstitious believe trouble comes in sets of three. But for BYU football coach Kalani Sitake, the ingredients to another successful run in the Big 12 do, too — and he has plenty of them.
On the heels of BYU’s 11-2 season, a 36-14 victory over Colorado in the Alamo Bowl and an expected top 15 ranking, Sitake and his staff are beaming over trios of returning impact players at just about every position group.
Linebackers
Starting linebackers Jack Kelly, Harrison Taggart and Isaiah Glasker return after combining last season for 190 tackles, 27 tackles-for-loss, 10 sacks, five interceptions and four forced fumb
les.
In addition, Raider Damuni, Faletau Satuala, Ethan Slade and Talan Alfrey all saw time at safety.
Special teams
Special teams aces Keelan Marion, Parker Kingston and Will Ferrin will be back.
Marion earned All-American honors with his two kickoff returns for touchdowns. Kingston returned a pair of punts for touchdowns, including a 64-yarder in the Alamo Bowl.
Ferrin returns after kicking a school record 24 field goals — making 16 in a row to end the season. Six of Ferrin’s kicks were from 49 yards or longer. His 44-yard field goal to beat Utah 22-21 in Salt Lake City was his signature moment. The senior-to-be also converted on all 41 point-after tries.
Receivers
On the offensive side of the ball, Chase Roberts, Darius Lassiter (potentially) and Marion will be back to lead the receivers room. Together, they caught 121 passes from quarterback Jake Retzlaff for 1,903 yards and nine touchdowns.
Additional returners Kingston and JoJo Phillips combined for 23 receptions for 407 yards and three touchdowns.
Runners/offensive line
Retzlaff, LJ Martin and Sione Moa head up a trio of runners that picked up 1,284 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns during the 2024 season.
In 2025, they will run and pass behind an offensive line anchored by experienced returners Bruce Mitchell, Weylin Lapuaho and potentially Big 12 First Team honoree Caleb Etienne. Austin Leausa and Sonny Makasini also have star
ting experience.
