BYU Cougars Finding Some Answers on Defense

The BYU defense began fall camp with several question marks.

The Cougars needed to replace the majority of their front seven. They were also searching for a solution at free safety, which was the only question mark in an otherwise solid defensive backfield.

As we approach the end of the first full week of practice, some answers are beginning to unfold.

The ability of Travis Tuiloma to come into the rotation at nose tackle allows Eathyn Manumaluena to move out to defensive end.

That development greatly solidifies the defensive line and creates a rotation of Fuga and Tuiloma at NT, Manumaleuna and Putnam on the left side, and So’oto and Bryson on the other. So far, Bryson looks like a player with a great future ahead of him.

Cougar fans should feel a good deal of confidence in the defensive line this year.

The Cougars came into camp with a fair amount of comfort at the two outside linebacker positions. Pendleton is a star on the strong side and is backed up by Jamison Frazier who has put on a lot of size and now checks in at 225 pounds.

The weak side rotation should be Jordan Atkinson and Kyle Van Noy. Kyle has begun to come into his own as camp has progressed and has shown the speed and athleticism that many witnessed from his high school highlights. Meanwhile, it’s good to see Jordan getting out on the field the past couple of practices following offseason surgery.

The bigger question marks coming into the fall were the two inside backers slots. There is significant responsibility put on the inside linebackers in this BYU defense to make plays, particularly at the mike position.

The buck position should be capably manned by Brandon Ogltree, who came into fall camp with a broken hand that has slowed him a bit. Brandon can fill the gaps and has the speed and motor to go sideline to sideline. He’s aggressive and a good fit for what the Cougars need at that spot.

Vying for the mike spot vacated by the graduated Matt Bauman are a number of candidates. The Cougars can always go with Shane Hunter. Shane is undersized at 5'10", 232 pounds, but coming into camp he was the most trustworthy guy. Don’t be surprised though, to see Austen Jorgensen starting at mike when the season opens September 4 against the Huskies.

Austen saw significant action at outside linebacker as a true freshman before serving a mission. He has looked good in camp for a recently returned missionary and at 6'2", 235 pounds has good size. He also has the ability to cover in pass defense, which is a key skill at mike.

There is a lot of talent to fill in behind the three guys we have mentioned, and some of them could play either inside linebacker position. Some of that talent includes Aveni Leung-Wai, Zac Stout, and Collin Keoshian.

It will be interesting to see how the inside backers come together and perform, especially since they face very mobile quarterbacks in their first four games of the season.

Finally, expect to see the coaches call on Steven Thomas to try to answer the question mark at free safety when the season starts. Thomas has good speed, is entering his fourth year in the program and is the guy the coaches feel they can most trust.

The BYU defense demands a lot from the FS position and the coaches have typically gone with the steady guy in that spot rather than someone who may be a better athlete but has less experience. For that reason, don’t expect DeQuan Everett to be the answer at free safety. DQ is a guy that looks like he can really play, but is best suited as a cornerback. In addition, he simply hasn’t been in the program long enough to be trusted with all of the responsibilities of playing free safety.

Since the Cougars don’t rotate a lot of bodies into the secondary, it would not be surprising to see DQ redshirt this season, given that the Cougars lose Bradley and Logan at corner next year.