One of Utah football's top defenders is heading down the road to Provo.
Utes defensive tackle Keanu Tanuvasa is transferring to BYU , the program announced Monday.
The news was first reported by Matt Zenitz and Chris Hummer of both CBS Sports and 247 Sports.
Tanuvasa started 19 games for Utah over the past two seasons, although he was limited to just seven appearances in 2024 due to injury.
As a redshirt freshman in 2023, Tanuvasa recorded 27 tackles, six tackles for loss, two sacks and a forced fumble, earning College Football Network Freshman All-American honorable mention honors.
Across three years at Utah, he totaled 49 tackles, 12 tackles for loss and four sacks in 24 games.
He will arrive in Provo as a redshirt junior with two remaining seasons of eligibility.
Brigham Young Cougars head coach Kalani Sitake talks with Utah Utes defensive tackle Keanu Tanuvasa (57) after the game at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024. BYU won 22-21. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
The Mission Viejo, California, native was a 3-star prospect coming out of high school in the class of 2020, according to 247 Sports . He committed to Utah over competing offers from notable programs such as UCLA and Arizona — along with the Cougars — and served a two-year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints prior to joining the Utes.
Tanuvasa joins a solid group of incoming transfers for BYU, including his former Utah teammate and tight end Carsen Ryan , Michigan offensive tackle Andrew Gentry and Texas linebacker Tausili Akana .
Tanuvasa, Akana and Utes-turned-Cougars pledge Hunter Clegg will be expected to play key roles for a revamped BYU defensive front that could develop into a real strength for the team in 2025 and beyond.
