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
BYU kicks off in 27 days and will start its season against Southern Illinois. This linebacker’s core should be solid but it may be interesting if injuries occur. The Cougars will be great here with Ben Bywater, Harrison Taggert, and Isaiah Glasker leading this crew.
Ben Bywater
Ben Bywater is a 6-3 235 lbs senior from Salt Lake City, Utah. 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. 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.
Harrison Taggart
Taggart is a 6-1 230 lbs sophomore from Draper, Utah and an Oregon transfer. Last season he played in all 12 games and had 28 tackles. He will be one of the other linebackers who play several minutes in games this season.
Isaiah Glasker
Isaiah Glasker is a 6-5 235 lbs sophomore from South Jordan, Utah. Last year he played in eight games and had three tackles. He is a rising player with plenty of potential and is needed to step up this year on defense.
Ace Kaufusi
Kaufusi is a 6-4 230 lbs sophomore from Kahuka, Hawaii. Last season he played in all 12 games and had 10 tackles. He will be either the third or fourth linebacker on the field for the Cougars to follow in his cousins footsteps.
Miles Hall
Miles Hall is a 6-1 230 lbs freshman from St. George Utah.
Maika Kaufusi
Kaufusi is a 6-3 230 lbs freshman from Cottonwood heights, Utah.
Sione Moa
Sione Moa is a 6-1 230 lbs junior from North Ogden, Utah and a Utah State transfer. Last year he played in eight games and had four tackles.
Lucky Finau
Finau is a 5-11 255 lbs freshman from Sandy, Utah.
Siale Esera
Siale Esera is a 6-3 250 lbs sophomore from Provo, Utah. Last year he played in five games, one pass deflection, and one interception.
Aisea Moa
Moa is a 6-2 235 lbs sophomore from North Ogden, Utah. His first year in 2022 he played in two games and posted zero stats. Last year he played in three games and had one tackle.
Nathan Hoke
Nathan Hoke is a 6-2 230 lbs freshman from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Jack Kelly
Kelly is a 6-2 240 lbs junior from Kearns, Utah and a Weber State transfer. This is his first year as a Cougar.
Choe Bryant-Strother
Choe Bryant-Strother is a 6-3 235 lbs senior from Atlanta, Georgia and an UCLA transfer.
