BYU defensive coordinator Jay Hill gets hands-on during spring practice at the Cougars Indoor Practice Facility in Provo. Jaren Wilkey, BYU Photo
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 Safeties group and the Cornerbacks will be in the next article.
The Safety position has a lot to look forward to this season. It also has much growing to do to put two or three of them on the field simultaneously. Not many names stuck out from this position last season because they struggled.
Micah Harper
Micah Harper is a 5-10 192 lbs sophomore from Chandler, Arizona. In his first season, he played in 11 games with 25 tackles, one forced fumble, and one pass breakup. Harper’s second year he didn’t play due to injury. Last season he played in 13 games with 62 tackles, two forced fumbles, and three pass breakups. Harper has a great chance to start with his experience on the field. He also can break up the pass really well.
Malik Moore
Malik Moore is a 6-0 195 lbs senior from San Diego, California. In his first season, he played in 13 games with three tackles and one interception. During the 2019 season, he played in 12 games with 14 tackles. In 2020 he played in five games with six tackles, one interception, and one pass breakup. During his fourth season, he played in 13 games with 32 tackles, three interceptions, and three pass breakups. Last season he played in four games with nine tackles. Moore will also be a starter if he can stay healthy. He will be a great one to pick the ball off and return it to the offense.
Talan Alfrey
Talan Alfrey is a 6-2 205 lbs sophomore from Auburn, Washington. In his first year he played in one game. Last season he played in 13 games with 41 tackles, one interception, one fumble recovery, and two pass breakups. Alfrey could fight for a backup or starting position and be the third starter if the defensive permits.
Preston Rex
Preston Rex is a 6-0 191 lbs freshman from San Clemente, California. Last season he played in two games with one pass break up. Rex could fight for a back up position and step up if the starters go down.
Tanner Wall
Tanner Wall is a 6-1 200 lbs sophomore from Arlington, Virginia. In his first season he played in two games. Last season he played in 11 games with one tackle. Wall has a good chance to be a back up and fight for a starting position through out the season.
Chika Ebunoha
Chika Ebunoha is a 6-0 180 lbs freshman from Tucson, Arizona. Last season he played in five games with one tackle. Ebunoha will be a good back up if the starters go down.
Ethan Slade
Ethan Slade is a 6-0 190 lbs sophomore from Orem, Utah. During his first season he played in two games with one tackle. Last season he played in 11 games with 17 tackles, one quarterback hit, and three pass breakups. Slade will have to fight hard to get into a role on Saturdays.
Ty Burke
Ty Burke is a 6-1 175 lbs freshman from Syracuse, Utah. This will be his first season playing for BYU.
Raider Damuni
Raider Damuni is a 6-1 210 lbs freshman from Provo, Utah. This is his first year on roster at BYU.
Crew Wakley
Crew Wakley is a 6-0 203 lbs sophomore from Sandy, Utah. He transferred from Utah State. He didn’t suit up for the Aggies during his time in Logan, Utah.
Petey Tuipulotu
Petey Tuipulotu is a 6-3 195 lbs freshman from Fort Mill, South Carolina. This will be his first season with the Cougars.
