BYU’s Linebacker Corps Poised to Be Most Dominant in Program History
Brigham Young University (BYU) has a storied tradition of hard-nosed, high-IQ defensive football, and at the heart of many of its most successful seasons has been elite linebacker play. From Kyle Van Noy to Fred Warner, the program has produced NFL-caliber linebackers with regularity. But as the Cougars continue to adapt to life in the Big 12, 2025 could be a landmark year for the defense — especially for the linebacker unit, which may be the most dominant in BYU’s history.
What sets this year’s corps apart isn’t just top-end talent, but the extraordinary combination of depth, athleticism, experience, and versatility. The linebacker group is stacked with a blend of returning starters, promising young stars, and high-impact transfers who bring size, speed, and football IQ in equal measure. This is a unit capable of changing games, dictating tempo, and delivering the kind of physical, disruptive defense that wins championships.
At the center of this group is Ben Bywater, the veteran leader and a tackling machine who returns fully healthy and poised to reclaim his role as the heart of the defense. His ability to diagnose plays quickly, shed blocks, and finish tackles in space has been a hallmark of his game. If he stays healthy, Bywater could be in line for all-conference honors and possibly earn national recognition.
Lining up beside him, AJ Vongphachanh, the transfer from Utah State who made an immediate impact in 2023, brings leadership, size, and downhill aggression. His presence in the middle allows BYU to be more aggressive on the edges, knowing that the interior is locked down. Vongphachanh’s blend of athleticism and experience makes him an ideal modern linebacker in a conference known for fast-paced, spread offenses.
Then there’s the younger wave of talent — players like Harrison Taggart, the Oregon transfer who was one of the top linebacker recruits in the West coming out of high school. Taggart adds a new dimension of speed and sideline-to-sideline range. His emergence could elevate BYU’s ability to defend against mobile quarterbacks and quick-hitting passing games.
What makes this group particularly dangerous is its versatility. Defensive coordinator Jay Hill now has the ability to mix up fronts, disguise coverages, and rotate fresh bodies without losing effectiveness. Linebackers who can rush the passer, drop into coverage, and stop the run — sometimes all within the same series — give the defense incredible flexibility.
Depth is often the defining feature of great units, and BYU has it in abundance. Players like Isaiah Glasker, Logan Pili, and Siale Esera round out a two-deep that could start for many other Power Five programs. Whether it’s special teams, goal-line defense, or nickel packages, the coaching staff can rely on fresh, capable linebackers at every turn.
As BYU aims to make a stronger push in the Big 12 in 2025, this linebacker group will be the tip of the spear. With elite talent, cohesion, and a chip on their shoulder, they are ready to lead one of the most aggressive and explosive defenses BYU fans have seen in years. If they live up to their potential, history may remember this as the golden era of Cougar linebackers.
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