2024 BYU Defense Depth Chart Projections After Spring Camp

Updated depth chart projections for BYU's offense after Spring camp

BYU safety Micah Harper / Credit: BYU Photo

BYU's 2024 Spring camp is in the books. At the end of March, BYU wrapped up the 15th and final practice of Spring camp. There were plenty of top storylines to follow during camp, namely the contested battle for the starting quarterback spot. Coming our of camp, we've updated our depth chart projections for BYU's defense. If you missed our projections for the offense, you can read them here.

A few ground rules, there will be no "ORs" on this depth chart and we'll list as many players as we think could contribute this year. Without further ado, we'll start with the defensive ends.

Defensive Ends

1. Tyler Batty
2. Blake Mangelson
3. Nuuletau Sellesin
4. Ephraim Asiata

1. Isaiah Bagnah
2. Logan Lutui
3. Sani Tuala

Tyler Batty headlines this position group. Batty returned to BYU instead of declaring for the NFL Draft. Batty's return will be a major boost to the BYU defense next season. He was the Cougars' best pass rusher by a wide margin. According to Pro Football Focus, Batty finished the season with 34 total pressure (more than double the next highest player), 6 sacks, and 24 stops. He accounted for 26% of BYU's quarterback pressures by himself. He was also named to the second team All-Big 12 at the conclusion of the regular season. Given his performance in 2023, Batty could be a preseason All-Big 12 selection next year.

Batty was good last year, but BYU needs others to step up and pressure the quarterback. Isaiah Bagnah is a candidate to take a step forward as a senior this season.

Newcomers Sani Tuala and Ephraim Asiata are two names to watch here. Tuala picked BYU over Washington, Utah, and others. Tuala, an Australian native, is brand new to football. 2023 was his first year playing football after moving from Australia. Physically speaking, he will be one of the most gifted players on the defense. It might take him a minute to get up to speed, but he has the potential to be a very good player for BYU. He was on campus during Spring camp but was unable to participate. He will officially join the program this Spring.

Defensive Tackle

1. Danny Saili
2. David Latu

1. John Nelson
2. Luke Toomalatai

In December, BYU flipped Texas Tech commit Danny Saili. Saili is a massive lineman at 6'3, 360 pounds and he was recruited by the likes of Oklahoma and Miami. Saili will make an impact in 2024. During camp, Coach Sitake said Saili "will be on the field" this season. "Yeah [Saili] is going to be a guy that's going to be on the field," Sitake said. "We've gotta get him in playing shape, but we're starting to see a lot of the big guys doing a lot of good things."

John Nelson is a candidate to start at the other interior spot. Nelson suffered an injury against Texas Tech last year and BYU's defense never quite recovered.

Linebacker

1. Jack Kelly
2. Siale Esera

1. Ben Bywater
2. Harrison Taggart

1. Ace Kaufusi
2. Isaiah Glasker
3. Miles Hall

BYU brought in Weber State transfer Jack Kelly. Kelly was tied for second in the Big Sky in sacks and was a first-team All Big Sky selection. He will start immediately for BYU.

Ben Bywater will start assuming he's healthy. Bywater is still recovering from the shoulder injury that he suffered against Kansas last season.

Bywater isn't the only injury concern in this group. Standout true freshman Siale Esera missed the last month of the season due to injury. Jay Hill says he expects Esera back in time for Fall camp.

The third starting spot is up for grabs. Siale Esera, Ace Kaufusi, Isaiah Glasker, and Miles Hall will compete for that spot.

Cornerbacks

1. Jakob Robinson
2. Mory Bamba
3. Marcus McKenzie

1. Marque Collins
2. Evan Johnson
3. Tre Alexander

Jakob Robinson is the clear leader in this group. After Robinson, BYU is fairly inexperienced at cornerback. A long list of players will be competing for the starting spot opposite of Jakob Robinson. Due to his experience in Jay Hill's defense, we'll give Weber State transfer Marque Collins the nod.

Jonathan Kabeya is a name to watch here. The true freshman from Texas could be a candidate for early playing time at nickel. He joins the program this Summer.

Safeties

1. Micah Harper
2. Crew Wakley
3. Talan Alfrey

1. Raider Damuni
2. Tommy Prassas
3. Tanner Wall

Perhaps no position group on the roster is deeper than the safeties. There are seven or eight players who could end up starting at safety. Micah Harper, Talan Alfrey, Crew Wakley, Raider Damuni, Tanner Wall, and Ethan Slade have experience at safety. True freshmen Tommy Prassas and highly-touted recruit Faletau Satuala could also factor in early in their BYU careers.