When starting middle linebacker Harrison Taggart entered the transfer portal and eventually landed at Cal, most BYU fans saw the departure as a minor weakening of the Cougars' defense in 2025.
Choe Bryant-Strother saw it as an opportunity. Having transferred to BYU last year after earning a sociology degree in four years at UCLA , Bryant-Strother appeared in nine games at outside linebacker in 2024, making 11 tackles while backing up standouts Jack Kelly and Isaiah Glasker.
The super senior, who is the half-brother of former BYU basketball great Elijah Bryant , played defensive end, outside linebacker and inside linebacker for the Bruins, so when Taggart left he approached BYU linebackers coach Justin Ena and defensive coordinator Jay Hill about moving inside full-time to what BYU calls the "Mack" linebacker spot.
"We love them both. I think reps are always predicated on who is playing better. If one guy separates himself from the other, then he will get a few more (reps). But we plan on both those guys playing."
The position was more unsettled heading into preseason training camp because projected starter Siale Esera was coming off a Lisfranc foot injury that limited his playing time in 2024 behind Taggart. Glasker is theclearcut starting Sam and Kelly is the clearcut starting Rover.
"I have always liked playing Mack," the 6-foot-3, 240-pound Bryant-Strother told the Deseret News when training camp ended. "Just because I'm kind of a longer-limb guy, people want to put me on the outside. But I've always felt more comfortable inside. So when there wasn't a clear person with the starting job, I asked to get a shot."
Esera, who is 6-3 and 245 pounds, and Bryant-Strother (his first name is pronounced: CHAY) were listed as co-starters at Mack before the opener. Esera got the start, but Bryant-Strother came up with a sack and a nice open-field tackle when he got his opportunity to play.
They are again listed as co-starters on the depth chart for Saturday's 8:15 p.m. MDT Power Four showdown with Stanford (0-1) at LaVell Edwards Stadium.
BYU linebacker Siale Esera in action against Texas Oct. 28, 2023, in Austin. | Nate Edwards, BYU Photo
"You talk about being big, fast and strong, Siale is that, and so is Choe. They are both very athletic as well," Ena said. "Choe did some amazing things (against PSU). He has that great combination of size and speed. It takes a little bit of time to learn this defense, so in his second year I am excited to see what he does."
Ena and Hill both said that they are comfortable giving both linebackers an equal number of reps until one emerges as the better option. They are also cool if there is no separation and they man the Mack position by committee the entire season.
"We love them both," Hill said Tuesday. "I think reps are always predicated on who is playing better. If one guy separates himself from the other, then he will get a few more (reps). But we plan on both those guys playing."
Ena, who joined the coaching staff two years ago after stints at Southern Utah, Weber State, Utah, Utah State, Dixie State (now Utah Tech) and San Diego State , said as long as there is no drop-off the "1A and 1B" designations at Mack will apply.
"The more guys we can play, the better," Ena said, noting that Utah State transfer Max Alford is improving every day and is another option inside. "When guys are producing, I want to keep them in there as much as possible. This game is all about production. It is also about chemistry, and both those guys gel very well with Isaiah and Jack. They are both ballhawks as well."
Injuries have hampered Esera, a former four-star recruit, in his first two seasons at BYU, but the Timpview High product said Monday that he is 100% healthy and rid of all the "nagging injuries" that plagued him in 2023 and 2024. Esera said he welcomes the challenge from Bryant-Strother and that competition makes them both better.
BYU linebacker Choe Bryant-Strother (33) celebrates after downing Southern Illinois University wide receiver Keontez Lewis (1) during game at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
"Choe has played in lots of games and has a lot of knowledge under his belt," Esera said. "One thing that coach Ena preaches to all the linebackers is that the depth chart is always living and breathing. It is a living, breathing organism, so it can change at any time. We are always competing for that spot, even in the season. … So I love Choe. He is an amazing athlete. He's got some amazing talent."
Said Hill when camp wrapped up: "We have five or six linebackers who are playing very well right now. Choe and Siale are in a battle right now for the Mack spot. Both of them are going to play a lot. I trust both of them wholeheartedly, and I think they both add a little different dynamic to what we're doing, and I can't wait to watch them both play."
Ena said all the linebackers played well against the Vikings, although there weren't a lot of stats to be had because the visitors ran just 12 plays in the second half as BYU's offense controlled the ball throughout the final 30 minutes. No Cougar had more than three tackles.
Kelly got the 54-yard touchdown return after a field goal attempt clanged off John Taumoepeau's face mask. It was the first-ever defensive TD, at any level, for the Kearns High product.
Coincidentally, Ena was the last Cougar to block a field goal that resulted in a touchdown, knocking one down against San Diego State in 2001 that Ryan Denney returned 82 yards for a score.
"I was glad Ryan picked it up, because I would have been caught from behind," Ena said Tuesday, laughing. "So it was a good deal. Jack Kelly has 4.5 speed (in the 40-yard dash). "He's a fast guy. It was easy for him to run it in there. I am blessed right now to have really good athletes that are smart football players."
Sophomore Ephraim Asiata, listed as Glasker's backup at Sam linebacker, was ejected for targeting in the first half and had to sit out the second half. The 6-3, 210-pound Asiata was recruited as an edge rusher but has not been able to gain weight to play a lot there and has seemingly found a home at Sam.
"Ephraim Asiata is a freak," Ena said. "He's very, very athletic."
Junior Ace Kaufusi, 6-4, 240, is Kelly's primary backup at Rover, followed by sophomore Miles Hall and hard-hitting freshman Pierson Watson.
"I feel good about Ace Kaufusi. Ace is a good player. There is not much drop-off from Jack to Ace, who can do some amazing things. Miles Hall is another guy who I think is awesome," Ena said.
If another blowout happens, Ena said to keep an eye on Alford and Nusi Taumoepeau, a freshman from Westlake High in Saratoga Springs.
"Nusi Taumoepeau is probably one of the best football players on our football team. He will be someone that will cause havoc in the Big 12 for a long, long time. I am a big fan of his," Ena said.
Kansas running back Daniel Hishaw Jr. (20) is tackled by BYU linebacker Ace Kaufusi durin game Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, in Lawrence, Kan. Kansas won 38-27. | Charlie Riedel, Associated Press
