BYU Confirms the Injury of Safety Talan Alfrey

On Monday, BYU released the first depth chart of the 2023 season. One presumed starter, safety Talan Alfrey, was not listed on the depth chart. Alfrey suffered an injury late in Fall camp that will make him "highly doubtful" against Sam Houston State, head coach Kalani Sitake confirmed on Monday. Sitake clarified that Alfrey is not out for the season.

The Cougars already suffered one season-ending injury at safety earlier in camp. Alfrey, a sophomore, was expected to replace starter Micah Harper who suffered an injury during the first scrimmage of Fall camp.

Without Alfrey and Harper in the fold, BYU turns to walk-on Ethan Slade to start at strong safety. A redshirt sophomore, Slade has appeared in 13 games for BYU in his career, but this will be first career start. Slade has tallied 18 total tackles including one tackle for loss. He also has three pass break-ups.

On Coordinators' Corner, BYU defensive coordinator Jay Hill said BYU approach would be "safety by committee" to start the season.

Given the injuries at strong safety, depth is already a concern for BYU as it prepares for its first season in the Big 12. Four-star true freshman Raider Damuni and Utah State transfer Crew Wakley were listed as Slade's backups. Damuni has all the talent to be a special player at BYU, but he is only eight months removed from missionary service. If Damuni can grasp the playbook and shake the mission rust, he will have the opportunity to see the field very early on in his BYU career.

Depth at safety will be important to monitor as the season progresses.

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