Brigham Young Cougars linebacker Ben Bywater (2) tries to sack Arkansas Razorbacks quarterback KJ Jefferson (1) at Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023. BYU won 38-31.Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
Ben Bywater BYU Cougar Linebacker has announced he will medically retire from Football. This announcement comes during the media interviews after practice on the first day of fall camp. Bywater has been dealing with shoulder issues and missed part of last year after they found some nerve problems. He had surgery and was working to get back to play this year.
Ben Bywater is a 6-3 235 lbs senior from Salt Lake City, Utah. In his first year in 2019, he played in three games and had eight tackles. The following year he played in three games and had seven tackles. In the 2021 season, he played in all 13 games and had 102 tackles and one sack. In 2022 he played in all 13 games and had 98 tackles, one sack, five pass deflections, one interception, and one tackle. Last year he played in four games and had 32 tackles, one sack, and one pass deflection. Bywater will lead this team in tackles this year and be a big leader on defense if he can stay healthy and finish out this season.
This will hurt Cougar football they were hoping that he could return and help the defense be what it has been in the past. Bywater has been the heart and soul of the BYU defense since he got here and was on his way to the NFL after some big years.
