Breaking News: congratulations to best world wide receiver Gerry Bohanon by the BYU cougars head coach due to his…
Just a year after BYU’s defense was one of the worst in all of college football, Jay Hill’s stifling crew was the surprise of the Big 12.
The Cougar defense only allowed 308.8 yards per game, which was 13th best in the country and the best in the Big 12.
One of the biggest keys to the massive defensive turnaround was the linebacker trio of Jack Kelly, Harrison Taggart and Isaiah Glasker.
In the offseason, the linebacker room was one of the biggest question marks on the team. The two leading tacklers of 2023 Max Tooley and A.J. Vongphachanh graduated, and two-time tackle leader Ben Bywater was forced to medically retire. This left underclassmen Glasker and Taggart, and Weber State transfer Kelly, to fill the void.
They were more than up to the task.
Glasker and Taggart led the team in tackles with 70 and 69, respectively. Kelly’s five sacks also led the team.
The three stout linebackers were possibly the most consistent position group on the whole team.
Kelly’s name rose in NFL draft discussions as the season went on, so BYU fans will have to stay hopeful that he returns for 2025. Kelly hasn’t actually said what his intentions are for next year, but if he wants to enter, he wil
l be drafted.Both Chase Roberts and Darius Lassiter had excellent seasons, tallying over 40 receptions, 700 yards, and four receiving touchdowns each. Having two elite receivers was a massive benefit for quarterback Jake Retzlaff, who had a breakout season.
However, with Darius Lassiter out of eligibility, BYU will need to fill the hole with either someone from the existing receiving room, or in the transfer portal.
Keelan Marion is an established veteran who may be able to fill in, but can he really get 20 more receptions and 350 more yards? Marion is an effective playmaker, making his mark as a receiver, returner, and rusher, but he might be most effective for BYU in his current role.
Young standouts JoJo Phillips and Parker Kingston had moments of excellence, but will need to have major improvements in the offseason if they want to take over the Lassiter slot.
