Anything can happen, and usually does, in college football, so pronouncing any team's roster for the upcoming season finalized and a done deal is almost always a fool's errand.
Even predicting a depth chart some eight months before the season starts is a stretch in this day and age of the transfer portal and NIL enticements. Massive roster turnover has become the norm.
Another transfer portal window for college football opens on April 16 and closes on April 25, so for the BYU Cougars , who usually wrap up spring practices in late March or early April, there will be more departures once camp ends and players learn they aren't part of the program's future plans.
What is known about the 2025 BYU football team is that it should be able to pick up where it left off in 2024 when it finished with an 11-2 record and waxed Colorado 36-14 in the Alamo Bowl. BYU should be ranked in the top 25, maybe the top 15.
"Just looking forward to the momentum that we can gain from this," head coach Kalani Sitake said after the bowl game. "Obviously, just really happy and want to celebrate with the seniors, but I think this is a really good step for us, and I am glad that we were able to get this done."
With the winter transfer portal window having closed on Dec. 28, BYU lost a few key players — such as safety Crew Wakley and defensive end Aisea Moa — but mostly kept a lot of the guys expected to be big contributors in 2025. Credit the culture that Sitake has established in Provo, and the coaching staff he has assembled that includes defensive wizard Jay Hill.
"It is a nice cycle of things that are happening," Sitake said after the bowl game. "I don't mind it at all. Sometimes as a leader I've just got to step out of the way and let these (players) do it."
Of course, players currently in the portal can sign with their new programs whenever they want, and several former Cougars already have, including receiver Kody Epps (Western Kentucky), tight end Jackson Bowers (Oregon State), running back Miles Davis ( Utah State ), receiver Prince Zombo ( Utah Tech ), offensive lineman Jake Eichorn (Utah State) and the aforementioned Moa (Michigan State).
Other BYU players in the portal who hadn't found a landing spot as of midday Tuesday included safeties Wakley and Micah Harper, defensive linemen Dallin Havea, Dallin Johnson and David Latu, quarterback Noah Lugo and linebacker Sione Moa.
BYU has also been active in the portal, having received seven commitments as of midday Tuesday. Utah tight end Carsen Ryan and defensive end Keanu Tanuvasa, Michigan offensive lineman Andrew Gentry and Texas defensive end Tausili Akana are among the big gets so far. BYU has also reportedly got commitments from SUU linemen Anisi Purcell and Kyle Sfarcioc and Utah State linebacker Max Alford.
About five BYU players who thought they were out of eligibility, but have been given an extra year if one of their years was in the junior college ranks, have the option to return thanks to the ruling in the case involving Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia. That group includes some of the best players on the BYU roster in 2024 — offensive lineman Caleb Etienne , receiver Darius Lassiter and running back Hinckley Ropati. Also eligible are cornerback Mory Bamba and tight end Ray Paulo.
Lassiter, Etienne and Bamba all said at the Alamo Bowl that they were weighing their options.
Bottom line is the 2025 roster could look a lot like the 2024 roster, which should make expectations soar the next eight months unlike anything BYU fans have seen in several years.
Here's a position-by-position glance at what BYU's football team will look like in 2025, and in which areas the Cougars need to improve:
The starting quarterback competition was the main storyline last year at this time, and went on for nearly eight months before offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick made the right call and picked junior college transfer Jake Retzlaff over veteran Gerry Bohanon , whom the Cougars had obtained out of the transfer portal. A banged-up Retzlaff faltered a bit in November, and still displayed a penchant for some untimely mistakes, but otherwise had an outstanding season and will be the unquestioned starter in 2025.
Brigham Young Cougars quarterback Jake Retzlaff (12) warms up for the Valero Alamo Bowl in San Antonio on Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
The competition in the QBs room will be for the all-important backup spot, with Western Michigan transfer Treyson Bourguet and Utah State transfer McCae Hillstead the primary battlers. With the new 105-man roster limits coming into play, look for Roderick to keep only four QBs on the roster, the aforementioned guys and a walk-on — perhaps former Corner Canyon star Cole Hagen.
BYU coaches didn't bring in a big-time running back out of the transfer portal last year at this time when Aidan Robbins made the ill-fated decision to turn pro (the UNLV transfer went undrafted and was recently re-signed to the Cleveland Browns ' practice squad) and that call turned to be the right one as the LJ Martin-led group flourished in 2024.
Martin missed three games with injuries, but still rushed for 723 yards and seven touchdowns, including two in the bowl game. Having averaged 5.2 yards per carry, he will again be the workhorse RB1 next season if he can stay healthy.
Brigham Young Cougars running back LJ Martin (27) runs against the Colorado Buffaloes during the Valero Alamo Bowl in San Antonio on Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
Assuming Ropati (68 carries, 360 yards) moves on, the Cougars could probably use another running back from the transfer portal, but it is not a priority. That's because freshmen Sione I. Moa (144 yards) and Pokaiaua Haunga (76 yards) showed flashes of greatness backing up Martin and Ropati, although Retzlaff finished as BYU's second-leading rusher, with 417 net yards and six TDs on the ground.
Utah State transfer Enoch Nawahine and freshman Jovesa Damuni could also see more work, along with incoming freshman Cale Breslin , a 1,000-yard prep rusher from Las Vegas.
BYU receivers coach Fesi Sitake got a nice little early Christmas present when veteran pass-catcher Chase Roberts announced before the bowl game he will return to BYU for his final season of eligibility, after catching 52 passes for 854 yards and four touchdowns.
"Having Jake back another year, being able to have that connection with him, work in the offseason, it is going to be so fun," Roberts said. "I think (coming back) is only going to up our play as a team and also our opportunities to go play at the next level as well.
BYU wide receiver Chase Roberts (2) celebrates after a touchdown by wide receiver Darius Lassiter, right, during game against Baylor Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, in Waco, Texas. | Richard W. Rodriguez, Associated Press
"We have a great staff, a great community," he continued. "Just everything about BYU, it is hard to not take advantage of another year if you have one. That's the biggest thing. … Go win a Big 12 championship. That's going to be the goal."
Now the Cougars are waiting on Lassiter (45 catches, 703 yards), who told the KSL Sports Zone last week that he will make his decision any day now.
All-American kick returner Keelan Marion (24 catches, 346 yards) has said he will return, along with punt-returner supreme Parker Kingston (13 catches, 196 yards) and fast-rising sophomore JoJo Phillips. Prized recruits Cody Hagen and Tei Nacua should see bigger roles, and coaches are excited about incoming freshman LaMason Waller.
Tight end Ryner Swanson (10 catches, 91 yards) is departing on a mission to Nairobi, Kenya , for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and will be missed for two years. Keanu Hill is off to the NFL after a somewhat disappointing move from receiver to tight end in 2024. Mata'ava Ta'ase is also pro-bound.
That leaves some holes to fill at tight end, which is why landing Utah transfer Carsen Ryan was so critical. Ryan played in 17 games for UCLA in 2022-23, and in all 12 games for the Utes in 2024, making 10 catches for 113 yards and a touchdown.
Sitake's firing of Darrell Funk and hiring of TJ Woods last offseason proved to be a stroke of genius, as Woods came in and got the big hogs up front to play extremely well, despite some injuries to starters Connor Pay and Brayden Keim. Most notably, Woods turned Etienne into a likely NFL draft pick.
Andrew Gentry (75) of the Michigan Wolverines warms up with Derrick Moore (8) prior to their game against Purdue in Ann Arbor Michigan Saturday night, November 4, 2023. Gentry transferred to BYU in the offseason. | Brian Nicholson, for the Deseret News
With the assumption that Etienne will not use the new junior college rule and return to BYU, Woods has three starting positions to fill in 2025, while welcoming back five guys who started games or got significant reps : Weylin Lapuaho, Sonny Makasini, Bruce Mitchell, Austin Leausa and Colorado transfer Isaiah Jatta.
Already, the rebuilding process has begun, as BYU landed former four-star offensive lineman Andrew Gentry (Michigan) and Kyle Sfarcioc (Southern Utah) from the transfer portal. Among the guys waiting in the wings to get their chance are freshman returned missionary Joe Brown (injured all of 2024), Jake Griffin , Kaden Chidester and Trevor Pay.
No position at BYU has been gutted more than defensive line, as mainstays Tyler Batty , Blake Mangelson, Logan Lutui, Isaiah Bagnah and John Nelson move on after outstanding performances in 2024 when critics were saying the position was a weakness in 2023. BYU's pass rush was nothing to write home about, but the unit became stout against the run — when it wasn't facing the great Cam Skattebo of Arizona State — and was a big reason why the Cougars rolled Colorado in San Antonio.
BYU has already turned to the transfer portal to rebuild the D-line, landing Utah's Keanu Tanuvasa , Tausili Akana of Texas and Anisi Purcell of SUU by way of Bountiful High.
Tanuvasa, a two-year starter on the Hill, where he had 50 tackles, four sacks, five pass breakups and 13 tackles for loss, will obviously anchor the new group, along with returners Vili Po'uha, Bodie Schoonover, John Taumoepeau, Josh Singh and Sani Tuala.
"We've got a lot of great players to replace there," defensive coordinator Jay Hill said before the bowl game. "But I feel good about what we've got coming back, and what we've got coming in from the portal. We will be fine."
There was some concern about the linebackers when leading tackler Ben Bywater announced in fall camp that his solid career was over due to shoulder issues, but those fears proved to be unfounded as Oregon transfer Harrison Taggart and converted safety Isaiah Glasker stepped up and made the group arguably the best and deepest on the team.
Glasker became a star, leading the Cougars in tackles with 70 (Taggart had 69, while missing one game) and adding 3.5 sacks and three interceptions. With both expected back, BYU's linebackers should again be a strength in 2025, especially if Weber State transfer Jack Kelly returns for his final season of eligibility.
BYU linebacker Jack Kelly (17) tries to hit Oklahoma State Cowboys running back Rodney Fields Jr. (20) as BYU and Oklahoma State play at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Friday, Oct. 18, 2024. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Kelly was as good as advertised, displaying speed and playmaking ability despite making the step up in competition level. Former Skyline star Miles Hall emerged later in the season and showed he could be a force next season, along with former four-star recruit Siale Esera, who will call 2024 a redshirt year because he appeared in only four regular-season games, due to injury.
Newcomers to watch include 2024 signee Naki Tuakoi, who practiced with the Cougars in December before the bowl game, and returned missionary Hunter Clegg, an American Fork product who signed with Utah before his church service.
One of the best cornerbacks in BYU history, Jakob Robinson , is taking his talents to the next level, leaving cornerbacks coach Jernaro with some big shoes to fill. Weber State transfer Marque Collins, who was solid in his only season in Provo, is also out of eligibility.
As of this writing, Bamba had not announced if he will be back in 2025, using the new junior college rule which applies to him because he began his college career at ASA College in Miami and also played at Tyler (Texas) Junior College in the spring of 2022.
Baylor wide receiver Ketron Jackson Jr., reaches for an incomplete pass with BYU cornerback Mory Bamba, who was called for interference, in the first half of a game, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, in Waco, Texas. | Rod Aydelotte
There are other corners in the program waiting for their chance to shine, however, including speedster Marcus McKenzie, Evan Johnson , Jayden Dunlap, Therrian Alexander III and Jonathan Kabeya.
At safety, Hill's room should be packed with talent for the second-consecutive room, as veterans Tanner Wall and Talan Alfrey are joined by Raider Damuni, Tommy Prassas and Faletau Satuala.
Key offensive losses:OL Connor Pay, OL Brayden Keim, OL Caleb Etienne, RB Hinckley Ropati, TE Keanu Hill, TE Mata'ava Ta'ase, WR Darius Lassiter, WR Kody Epps, TE Ryner Swanson, RB Miles Davis, TE Jackson Bowers, LS Dalton Riggs
Key defensive losses:DE Isaiah Bagnah, DE Tyler Batty, DE Logan Lutui, DT Blake Mangelson, DT John Nelson, CB Mory Bamba, CB Jakob Robinson, CB Marque Collins, S Crew Wakley, S Micah Harper, DE Aisea Moa, LB Sione Moa, DT David Latu
Key offensive returners:QB Jake Retzlaff , RB LJ Martin, RB Sione I. Moa, RB Pokai Haunga, WR Keelan Marion, WR Chase Roberts, WR Parker Kingston, WR JoJo Phillips, WR Cody Hagen, TE Ethan Erickson , OL Weylin Lapuaho, OL Bruce Mitchell, OL Sonny Makasini, OL Austin Leausa, OL Isaiah Jatta, K Will Ferrin
Key defensive returners:LB Harrison Taggart, LB Jack Kelly, LB Isaiah Glasker, LB Siale Esera, LB Miles Hall, DL Vili Po'uha, DL Bodie Schoonover, DL John Taumoepeau, DL Josh Singh, DT Sani Tuala, S Tanner Wall, S Raider Damuni, S Talan Alfrey, S Faletau Satuala, S Tommy Prassas, CB Evan Johnson, CB Tre Alexander, CB Jonathan Kabeya, CB Jayden Dunlap, CB Marcus McKenzie, P Sam Vander Haar
Key incoming transfers:TE Carsen Ryan, DE Anisi Purcell, OL Kyle Sfarcioc, DE Tausili Akana, OL Andrew Gentry, DE Keanu Tanuvasa, LB Max Alford
Key incoming freshmen:RB Cale Breslin, WR LaMason Waller, LB Naki Tuakoi, DE Hunter Clegg
BYU passing game coordinator and wide receivers coach Fesi Sitake, talks with defensive coordinator Jay Hill and head coach Kalani Sitake during practice. | Nate Edwards, BYU photo
