Projecting BYU Football's Depth Chart Ahead of Spring Camp

The BYU football program kicks off spring ball on March 6. The 2023 BYU Cougars will feature a lot of new faces at some of the most important positions. Today, we make our football predictions for BYU's 2023 depth chart. 

Author Note: For the purpose of this article, we will assume a 4-3 alignment for the defensive depth chart.

Quarterback

1. Kedon Slovis
2. Jake Retzlaff OR Cade Fennegann

Former Pitt and USC quarterback Kedon Slovis transferred to BYU for his final year of eligibility. He is the favorite to win the starting job.

JUCO transfer Jake Retzlaff and Cade Fennegann will also compete for the job along with true freshman Ryder Burton. If Burton can crack the two-deep in 2023, it will be a very good sign for his future.

Running Back

1. Aidan Robbins
2. LJ Martin OR Miles Davis OR Hinckley Ropati

After running for over 1,000 yards at UNLV last season, Aidan Robbins will play a critical role in BYU's 2023 offense. We expect him to be the primary back next season. True freshman LJ Martin has the talent to compete for playing time right away. He will compete alongside returning players Mile Davis and Hinckley Ropati.

Other names to watch here are Sol-Jay Maiava-Peters and Nukuluve Helu. Maiava-Peters moved to running back after leading BYU to a bowl victory over SMU last December. Helu is a talented young running back that returned home from his mission last year.

Wide Receiver

1. Kody Epps
2. Parker Kingston

1. Keanu Hill
2. Hobbs Nyberg OR Jojo Phillips

1. Chase Roberts
2. Devin Downing OR Koa Eldredge

Kody Epps, Keanu Hill, and Chase Roberts will 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, and 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.

Tight End

1. Isaac Rex
2. Jackson Bowers OR Ethan Erickson OR Anthony Olsen

Isaac Rex returns to BYU for the 2023 season. True freshman Jackson Bowers, a four-star recruit, will have a chance to be in the rotation next season. He will compete with Ethan Erickson and Anthony Olsen for the backup tight end spot.

Offensive Line

Left Tackle
1. Kingsley Suamataia
2. Brayden Keim

Left Guard
1. Lisala Tai OR Weylin Lapuaho
2. Tyler Little OR Vae Soifua

Center
1. Connor Pay OR Paul Maile

Right Guard
1. Paul Maile OR Connor Pay
2. Peter Falaniko

Right Tackle
1. Lisala Tai OR Ian Fitzgerald
2. Brayden Keim

BYU's offensive line will feature three new starters. Kingsley Suamataia will be one of the key pieces of BYU's 2023 offense. Suamataia has all the tools to be the third consecutive left tackle drafted out of BYU (assuming Blake Freeland is selected in the upcoming draft). Connor Pay will start at either center or one of the guard spots. Utah transfer Paul Maile will start at either guard or center alongside Pay.

The other starting spots are up for grabs. Coaches have spoken very highly of Lisala Tai - Tai is versatile and could compete for either the available tackle or guard spot. Utah State transfer Weylin Lapuaho started every game for the Aggies as a true freshman last season. He will factor into the two-deep along the interior offensive line. Brayden Keim, Vae Soifua, Peter Falaniko, and Tyler Little are also names to watch in 2023.

Defensive Backs

Left Cornerback
1. Eddie Heckard
2. Marcus McKenzie

Strong Safety
1. Micah Harper
2. Raider Damuni OR Ammon Hannemann

Free Safety
1. Malik Moore
2. Talan Alfrey OR Preston Rex OR Chika Ebunoha

Right Cornerback
1. Mory Bamba OR Jayden Dunlap
2. Evan Johnson

Nickel
1. Jakob Robinson
2. Jacob Boren OR Caleb Christensen OR George Udo

We know that Eddie Heckard, Micah Harper, Malik Moore, and Jakob Robinson will play key roles in BYU's secondary. After that, Raider Damuni is the kind of talent that will be hard to keep off the field if he can shake the mission rust. Talan Alfrey, Preston Rex, Chika Ebunoha, and Ammon Hannemann will also factor in at safety.

The biggest question mark in the secondary will be the starting cornerback opposite of Eddie Heckard. After Heckard, BYU doesn't have a proven cornerback to start at that spot. JUCO transfer Jayden Dunlap will compete with returning players like Mory Bamba and Evan Johnson. Returned missionary Marcus Mckenzie could also factor in if he shakes the mission rust.

Linebackers

Outside

1. Max Tooley
2. Logan Pili OR Ace Kaufusi OR Pierson Watson

Mike

1. Ben Bywater
2. Siale Esera 

Outside
1. Chaz Ah You
2. Maika Kaufusi OR Miles Hall

Behind Tooley, Bywater, and Ah You, BYU is unproven at linebacker. Multiple newcomers will factor into this group and create a lot of competition during Spring and Fall camp. For now, we've assigned a lot of "OR"s to the backups - those predictions will become more specific as we get closer to the season.

Defensive Line

Defensive End
1. John Nelson OR Isaiah Bagnah
2. Blake Mangelson OR Bodie Schoonover OR Logan Lutui

Defensive End
1. Tyler Batty
2. Fisher Jackson OR Michael Daley OR Aisea Moa

Defensive Tackle
1. David Latu
3. Bruce Mitchell OR Hunter Greer

Nose Tackle
1. Jackson Cravens
2. Caden Haws OR Josh Larsen OR Atunaisa Mahe

Expect a lot of new faces along the defensive line in 2023. BYU could see as many as three new starters in this unit. The new defensive coaching staff has not been shy about it's desire to upgrade the defensive line, so expect the newcomers to make an immediate impact. Also keep an eye on Bodie Schoonover and Michael Daley - they could factor in at the edge position.

Specialists

Place Kicker
1. Will Ferrin OR Justen Smith
2. Cash Peterman

Kickoff
1. Will Ferrin
2. Justen Smith OR Cash Peterman

Holder
1. Ryan Rehkow
2. Talmage Gunther

Long Snapper
1. Austin Riggs
2. Britton Hogan

Punter
1. Ryan Rehkow
2. Cash Peterman OR Will Ferrin

Kick Return

1. Hobbs Nyberg
2. Talmage Gunther

Punt Return

1. Hobbs Nyberg
2. Talmage Gunther

The return game will be interesting to monitor in 2023. New special teams coordinator Kelly Poppinga has stated that BYU needs a difference maker in the return game.

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