Former Outside linebackers and special teams coach Kelly Poppinga as BYU opens their first day of football camp Aug. 8, 2015, in Provo. (Tom Smart, Deseret News)
The 2023 Football Season is just around the corner. With fall camp starting in just a couple of weeks let’s do some position previews for the BYU Football team. Today I will talk about the BYU Linebackers group and the Safeties will be in the next article.
BYU Linebackers will lead this Cougar defense this fall as they are the most experienced group on the defensive side of the ball. With Bywater, Tooley, and Ah You leading the way for the Cougars this will be a great group to help the Cougars win games.
Ben Bywater
Ben Bywater is a 6-3 235 lbs junior from Salt Lake City, Utah. His first season he had eight tackles. The next season he had seven tackles. Bywater’s third season he had 102 tackles, one sack, and one quarterback hit. Last season he had 98 tackles, one sack, three interceptions, one touchdown, and two pass break ups. Bywater will definitely start for the Cougars this fall.
Chaz Ah You
Chaz Ah You is a 6-2 220 lbs senior from Saratoga Springs, Utah. In 2017 he had nine tackles. Then when he returned from his mission in 2019 he had 31 tackles, one sack, one interception, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, and three pass break ups. His 2020 he had two tackles. In 2021 he had 39 tackles, one interception, one forced fumble, one quarterback, and two quarterback hits. Last season he had two tackles. Ah You will be starter number two this fall when the Cougars take the field.
Max Tooley
Max Tooley is a 6-2 215 lbs from senior from Bountiful, Utah. Tooley’s first season he had two tackles. In his second season, he had 48 tackles, one interception, and one pass breakup. During 2020 he had 44 tackles, one interception, three quarterback hits, and one pass breakup. In his 2021 season, he had 68 tackles, one sack, one interception, and three pass breakups. Last season he had 57 tackles, one sack, three interceptions, one fumble, one quarterback hit, and one pass breakup. Tooley will be the third starter for the Cougars.
Ammon Hannemann
Ammon Hannemann is a 6-1 211 lbs junior from Highland, Utah. His first season he had one tackle. In 2021 he had 34 tackles, one quarterback hit, and one pass break up. Last season he had 30 tackles. Hannemann will be one of the back ups for BYU.
AJ Vongphanchanh
AJ Vongphanchanh is a 6-2 230 lbs senior from Pasco, Washington and a transfer from Utah State. He had 17 tackles in his first season. In 2020 he had 50 tackles, one pass deflection, and one fumble. His third season he had 55 tackles, and one fumble recovery. Last season he had 101 tackles, three pass deflections, and two fumbles. Vongphanchanh will be a back up or could beat out one of the starters for their spot.
Harrison Taggart
Harrison Taggart is a 6-1 216 lbs sophomore from Draper, Utah and a transfer from Oregon. He played nine total snaps as a redshirt freshman last season. Taggart will fight for a back up position during this season as he prepares to take some of the seniors spots next year.
Fisher Jackson
Fisher Jackson is a 6-5 230 lbs junior from South Jordan, Utah. He played in two games his first season in 2020. His second year he had nine tackles, one sack, and two pass break ups. Last season he had 20 tackles, one quarterback hit, and one pass break up. Jackson will be a back up this season.
Naseri Danielson
Naseri Danielson is a 6-2 195 lbs freshman from Stockton, California.
Miles Hall
Miles Hall is a 6-2 205 lbs freshman from St. George, Utah.
Isaiah Glasker
Isaiah Glasker is a 6-5 220 lbs freshman from South Jordan, Utah.
Ace Kaufusi
Ace Kaufusi is a 6-3 205 lbs freshman from Kahuku, Hawaii.
Maika Kaufusi
Maika Kaufusi is a 6-4 210 lbs freshman from Cottonwood Heights, Utah.
Sione Moa
Sione Moa is a 6-1 230 lbs sophomore from North Ogden, Utah. He is a transfer from Utah State. Moa had 12 tackles.
Lucky Finau
Lucky Finau is a 6-0 230 lbs freshman from Sandy, Utah.
Kason Krebs
Kason Krebs is 6-1 210 lbs freshman from Sunset Beach, Hawaii. He is a transfer from SUU. Krebs didn’t suit up for a game at SUU.
Siale Esera
Siale Esera is a 6-3 245 lbs freshman from Provo, Utah.
