Cougs Daily

Four Former BYU Recruits Announced Their Plans to Enter the Transfer Portal

Casey Lundquist|
Nov 30, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans tight end Walker Lyons (85) carries the ball against Notre Dame Fighting Irish safety Xavier Watts (0) in the second half at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Nov 30, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans tight end Walker Lyons (85) carries the ball against Notre Dame Fighting Irish safety Xavier Watts (0) in the second half at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

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BYU Cougars

The transfer portal won't officially open in January, but that hasn't stopped college football players from announcing their plans to enter the portal when it becomes available. The upcoming transfer window will be two of the most hectic weeks of the offseason.

BYU will be looking to add a few impact players. Historically, BYU tends to add players with prior connections to the program. Four former BYU recruits have announced their plans to enter the transfer portal over the last few days.

1. Walker Lyons - TE

The former four-star recruit has spent the last two years at USC since returning home from his mission. Walker Lyons was heavily recruited by BYU in high school, and now his younger brother has signed with BYU. The Cougars will lose starting tight end Carsen Ryan to graduation, so Lyons could be an obvious fit for many reasons.

Lyons has played in 23 games over the last two years for the USC offense and he has started 8 games. He had 26 receptions for 259 yards and 2 touchdowns. He has good speed for his size and over half his yards came after the catch in 2025.

Blocking is an important part for the tight ends in BYU's offense as well, and Lyons showed he is capable of being an effective run blocker at USC as well. He would be an ideal fit in Aaron Roderick's offense.

2. Liona Lefau - LB

Texas linebacker Liona Lefau has started for the Longhorns the last two years. He will enter the transfer portal with one year of eligibility remaining. BYU will lose Jack Kelly to graduation and Isaiah Glasker is weighing his NFL options as well. Whether Glasker decides to stay or go, BYU could use a player like Lefau to fill the void left by Jack Kelly.

Lefau has tallied 139 tackles, 8 tackles for loss, 3 sacks, and an interception in his time at Texas. He would step right into the starting lineup at BYU if he chooses the Cougars.

3. Nuku Mafi - OL

Nuku Mafi was a BYU target in the 2024 class before he signed with Oklahoma State. In fact, the Cougars pushed to flip Mafi before signing day but came up short. Mafi started every game for Oklahoma State at tackle last season as a redshirt freshman.

Mafi had his two best pass-blocking gardes of the season against the two best teams Oklahoma State faced this season: Texas Tech and Oregon. He allowed just one pressure over the course of those two games.

BYU has a potential need at tackle with Isaiah Jatta graduating and Mafi could fill that role, but he will have no shortage of options.

4. Sesi Vailahi - RB

Oklahoma State running back Sesi Vailahi will enter the transfer portal after three years in Stillwater. Vailahi was a backup running back for the Cowboys, running for 278 yards and 4 touchdowns on 90 carries.

BYU tried to get Vailahi to Provo as a preferred walk-on before he was offered by Oklahoma State.

BYU has a need at running back and Vailahi's connection to the staff could make him a fit. The issue would be he is very similar to some of the other running backs in the room. So he could provide depth, but he wouldn't bring a different skillset to the table.

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Casey Lundquist
CASEY LUNDQUIST

Casey Lundquist is the publisher and lead editor of Cougs Daily. He has covered BYU athletics for the last four years. During that time, he has published over 2,000 stories that have reached more than three million people.

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