BYU's Defensive Recruiting Class is Coming Together

On Thursday, BYU received a commitment from four-star 2024 defensive end Devoux Tuataga. Tuataga is the seventh defender to commit to BYU in the 2024 class. The new defensive staff has prioritized recruiting since they stepped on campus, and their efforts are starting to pay off. Jay Hill and staff are building a promising recruiting class in their first recruiting cycle.

Of the seven committed players to BYU, six of them (86%) committed to BYU over competing offers from other Power Five schools. All seven of them committed to BYU over competing offers from FBS schools.

For those that have followed recruiting closely over the last several years, especially on the defensive side of the ball, that immense progress in just nine months on the job. Today, we'll review BYU's 2024 defensive recruiting class.

1. Devoux Tuataga - Edge

Devoux Tuataga committed to the Cougars on Thursday over fellow finalists USC, Utah, Oregon State, and Tennessee. He also received competing offers from the likes of Oregon, Nebraska, Arizona and Washington during his recruitment. Tuataga is a four-star defensive end per Rivals.

Tuataga is one of the most gifted athletes in the state. He is listed at 6'6 and 240 pounds and he can jump out of the building. Tuataga is a dangerous edge rusher with good speed, the strength to bull rush, and the ability to disrupt in the run game. He consistently makes plays when things break down thanks to his effort. He also stars as a volleyball player - that's where he developed his vertical jumping ability. Devoux uses his jumping ability to get his hands in passing lanes - you can see an example on the first play of his highlights.

2. Cornerback Therrian Alexander

Therrian Alexander picked BYU over competing Power Five offers from Ole Miss, Mississippi State, and NC State. He also held offers from the likes of UAB, Western Kentucky, and Georgia Southern among others.

Alexander is a long, lean defensive back listed at 6-2.5 and 165 pounds. Cornerbacks with his size and speed are hard to find on the recruiting trail which is why he was coveted by various Power Five programs.

3. Edge Adney Reid

Defensive end and linebacker prospect Adney Reid committed to BYU over a year ago. Adney is the son of former BYU tight end Gabe Reid who is currently serving as the mission president of the Australia Sydney mission. The Reid's moved to Australia in July of 2021 to begin their missionary service. Adney moved with his family to Sydney that Summer after his freshman season of high school.

Prior to moving, Adney prepped at Spanish Fork High School. He showed enough on tape as a freshman to earn scholarship offers from both BYU and Utah.

Unsurprisingly, his recruitment slowed down after he moved to Australia, but make no mistake, Reid can play and has the potential to be a difference maker at BYU.

4. Edge Siosefa Brown

Siosefa Brown is one the best, if not the best, pass rushers in the state. Brown committed to BYU clear back in January. Brown picked up an early BYU offer last Summer and after a great junior season in the Fall, Brown started to reel in competing Power Five offers from Utah, Cal, Wasington State, and Vanderbilt. Brown's recruiting profile was on a rapid trajectory when he decided to shut down his recruitment early and commit to BYU.

Brown, who received an early three-star rating from 247Sports, preps at Highland High School in Salt Lake City. Brown is a 6'5 defensive end prospect that also spent some time on offense as a wide receiver last season. His size, athleticism, and pass-rushing ability make him a perfect fit in Jay Hill's defensive scheme. It is his ability to disrupt off the edge that will make him a difference maker in Provo.

5. Defensive Back Jonathan Kabeya

Jonathan Kabeya is a cornerback from Texas that committed to BYU last month. Kabeya picked the Cougars over competing offers from Arizona State, Indiana, Texas Tech, Tulane, Liberty, Utah State, and Texas State.

Kabeya is listed at 5'10 and he has the playmaking ability to see the field early in Provo. He could also slide inside and play nickel.

Kabeya is the kind of player that probably doesn't come to BYU before the Big 12 invite. Jernaro Gilford deserves a lot of credit for forming a great relationship with Kabeya. Kabeya committed after taking an unofficial visit to BYU.

6. Safety Thomas Prassas

Thomas Prassas, who is listed at 6'2, preps at the Brasha High School, the same school as current BYU safety Micah Harper. Prassas held competing offers from Air Force, Bowling Green, Central Michigan, and New Mexico State. He was also receiving interest from programs like Arizona, Arizona State, and Stanford.

7. Defensive Line Dallin Johnson

Dallin Johnson is a local standout from Springville High School. Johnson committed to BYU in June of 2021 during an unofficial visit. Johnson plays both defensive tackle and center for Springville, but he was offered as a defensive tackle by the previous staff. Johnson recently received a competing offer from Washington State.

Johnson comes from a BYU family. His grandpa is Brent Johnson who was a kicker for BYU in 1978 and 1979 when the Cougars won back-to-back WAC championships.

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