BYU opened off its third Spring Camp practice on Monday. It was BYU’s first time being allowed to wear pads. Jay Hill, the defensive coordinator for BYU, talked with the media after practice.
In response to a question concerning BYU’s defensive depth, Hill highlighted the value of recruiting and claimed that some of the team’s younger players are among its “best players”.
“Recruiting is a huge part,” Hill said. “Some of the young guys that have come in are some of our best players right now like Ephraim Asiata looks really good right now. Viliami Po’uha looks really good right now. I’m proud of some of those young guys that are stepping in.”
Following a very successful signing day, BYU’s defensive team has gained a large number of new players. The front seven was emphasized by BYU in the 2024 signing class. Two true freshmen defensive ends who were key additions to the most recent signing class were Viliami Po’uha and Ephraim Asiata. According to Hill, BYU made a major effort to recruit the front seven because “we’ve got to get better there.”
“There were certain games in the Big 12 where we either weren’t big enough or weren’t stout enough…whatever reason we’ve got to be much better than we were last year.”
These are BYU’s 2024 defensive freshmen on the team.
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BYU Puts on Pads on the Third Day of Spring Camp
Jay Hill Says Young Newcomers Are Some of BYU’s ‘Best Players’
CASEY LUNDQUISTMAR 5, 2024 11:00 AM EST
On Monday, BYU kicked had its third practice of Spring camp. For the first time, BYU was permitted to wear pads. Following practice, BYU defensive coordinator Jay Hill met with the media. When asked about the depth on defense, Hill emphasized the importance of recruiting and said a few of BYU’s young newcomers are some of the “best players”.
“Recruiting is a huge part,” Hill said. “Some of the young guys that have come in are some of our best players right now like Ephraim Asiata looks really good right now. Viliami Po’uha looks really good right now. I’m proud of some of those young guys that are stepping in.”
Coming off a highly-successful signing day, BYU’s defense has added a lot of new players on the defensive side. BYU epmhasized the front seven during the 2024 signing class. Viliami Po’uha and Ephraim Asiata are two true freshmen defensive ends who were important pickups in the most recent signing class. Hill said BYU recruited the front seven really hard because “we’ve got to get better there.”
“There were certain games in the Big 12 where we either weren’t big enough or weren’t stout enough…whatever reason we’ve got to be much better than we were last year.”
Here are the defensive newcomers on BYU’s 2024 roster.
2024 Signing Class
Danny Saili
Credit: BYU Photo
22 – Tommy Prassas (Safety)
24 – Therrian Alexander (Cornerback)
44 – Ephraim Asiata (Defensive End)
45 – Viliami Po’uha (Defensive End)
55 – Danny Saili (Defensive Tackle)
91 – Dallin Johnson (Defensive Tackle)
A sizable chunk of BYU’s 2024 signees have enrolled early and are participating in Spring camp. Therrian Alexander was rotating with the first and second-team defenses on day one. He has all the talent to be an early contributor in Provo.
As mentioned, Ephraim Asiata and Viliami Po’uha have made a strong impression at defensive end. BYU desperately needs to add pass rushers, and both of those guys are capable of providing that. Asiata’s Dad posted a highlight of Ephraim on Instagram where Asiata bull-rushed the left tackle and dominated the rep.
Transfers
4 – Marque Collins (Cornerback)
17 – Jack Kelly (Linebacker)
23 – Darrien Stewart (Safety)
Jack Kelly might be the best of all the newcomers. Only two players on defense have met with the media after practice: Tyler Batty and Jack Kelly. If that order is any indication, Kelly is expected to be one of BYU’s most critical players on defense in 2024.
Prior Signing Classes
A few signees of the prior defensive staff have also joined the program.
33 – Dallin Havea (Defensive Tackle)
46 – Nathan Hoke (Linebacker)
57 – Lingi Havea (Defensive Tackle)
Walk-ons
A handful of walk-ons have joined the roster as well.
38 – Payton VanSteenkiste (Safety)
47 – Brock Fabrizio (Safety)
53 – Orion Maile-Kaufusi (Defensive End)
95 – John Taumoepeau (Defensive Tackle)
As walk-ons, BYU added a few highly talented players. A surprising addition to the team was Orion Maile-Kaufusi, who enrolled at Oregon State in 2021 as a scholarship player.
Former Snow College standout John Taumoepeau is on the team after he committed to BYU prior to the 2023 campaign.
Before blowing out his knee in high school, Brock Fabrizio was a scholarship player. Prior to his mission, he made a PWO commitment to BYU. Now that he’s back home, he’s listed. Quinn Fabrizio, his older brother, was a player at the University of Utah.
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