Breaking Down BYU Football's Remaining Roster Needs for the 2023 Season

Author:
Casey Lundquist
Publish date:
Feb 23, 2023 10:13 AM EST

It's been a busy offseason for Kalani Sitake and the BYU football program. Since the end of the regular season, BYU has replaced defensive coordinator Ilaisa Tuiaki with former Weber State head coach Jay Hill. Hill filled out the defensive staff and they immediately hit the ground running on the recruiting trail. The coaching staff has also worked around the clock to improve the roster for the 2023 season - BYU signed 18 players during the 2023 signing periods and received commitments from more than 10 transfers. Between traditional signings and the transfer portal, BYU has addressed most of its primary roster needs for the 2023 season, but there are a few positions groups that could stand to gain by adding another player or two.

There will be another transfer window in May, and more players will become available during that window. Today, we'll look at BYU's remaining roster needs for next season.

1. Cornerback

Cornerback was one of the greatest position of need for next season. BYU lost its top three cornerbacks from 2022: Kaleb Hayes, D'Angelo Mandell, and Gabe Juedy-Lally. BYU already made significant progress in replacing their production when it picked up a commitment from Weber State transfer Eddie Heckard. Heckard turned down multiple Power Five suitors to follow his former coach to Provo. Heckard is a favorite to start at one of the two cornerback spots.

After Heckard, BYU is inexperienced at cornerback. Jakob Robinson could play cornerback, but he has spent the majority of his BYU career playing nickel and safety. Behind Heckard and Robinson, BYU will turn to young players like Mory Bamba, Jayden Dunlap, Marcus McKenzie, and Evan Johnson among others to compete for spots in the two-deep. Adding another proven player to this group would go a long ways in securing BYU's depth for 2023. Over the last several years, BYU needed to rely on more than two cornerbacks to get through a season.

2. Wide Receiver

In his signing day press conference, BYU offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick mentioned that he has a few scholarships to use for the 2023 season. Kody Epps, Keanu Hill, and Chase Roberts are currently slated to be the three starting wide receivers. After those three, BYU is very inexperienced at wide receiver. True freshman Jojo Phillips will have a chance to crack the two-deep right away. Parker Kingston will have an opportunity to be in the rotation, while Devin Downing and Koa Eldredge could factor in if they can shake off the mission rust. Staying healthy will be paramount for this group. Both Kody Epps and Chase Roberts have battled various injuries throughout their careers.

Given the injury history of the projected starters, adding one more wide receiver is a need for BYU in 2023.

3. Linebacker

BYU will have an experienced core of linebackers linebackers in 2023 including Max Tooley, Ben Bywater, and Chaz Ah You. After those three, BYU will turn to less experienced players and newcomers to fill out the two deep. If the right player becomes available, another linebacker could help BYU in 2023.

Facebook - @CougsDaily

Twitter - @Cougs_Daily and Casey Lundquist at @casey_lundquist

Instagram - @cougs_daily