- Sure! Here’s a 500-word piece:
- Has BYU Assembled the Best Group of Linebackers in the Kalani Sitake Era?
- Since Kalani Sitake took over as BYU’s head coach in 2016, the program has seen many talented linebackers come through Provo. From names like Sione Takitaki and Fred Warner to Payton Wilgar and Keenan Pili, linebacker play has been a consistent strength. But as BYU moves deeper into the Big 12 era, there’s growing belief that the current group could be the best Sitake has assembled yet.
- This season, BYU’s linebacker room boasts a combination of experience, athleticism, and raw talent that feels deeper than in years past. Veterans like Ben Bywater, AJ Vongphachanh, and Isaiah Glasker bring proven production and leadership. Bywater, when healthy, has been one of the Cougars’ most reliable defensive playmakers, leading the team in tackles during multiple seasons. Vongphachanh, a transfer from Utah State, immediately injected experience and physicality into the middle of the defense. Glasker, meanwhile, offers exciting upside as a rangy athlete who can cover ground quickly in the new defensive schemes under coordinator Jay Hill.
- Beyond the veterans, BYU has built impressive depth through recruiting and the transfer portal. New faces like Harrison Taggart, a former four-star recruit from Oregon, bring major excitement. Taggart’s speed and instincts fit perfectly in a conference where defending fast, spread-out offenses is key. Then there’s Ace Kaufusi and Logan Pili, two younger players showing real promise in spring and fall camps. With so many players capable of starting, BYU has the flexibility to rotate heavily and keep fresh legs on the field — something that hasn’t always been a luxury for the Cougars.
- Another major factor is the defensive scheme itself. Jay Hill’s aggressive, attacking style demands linebackers who can cover, blitz, and diagnose plays quickly. This group seems tailor-made for that system. Instead of asking just one or two stars to do the heavy lifting, Hill’s defense allows multiple players to make impact plays, which spreads out production and reduces the risk of over-reliance.
- Comparing this group to past linebacker corps under Sitake, there’s a noticeable difference in depth. Previous units had stars like Warner and Takitaki who eventually thrived in the NFL, but the supporting cast wasn’t always as deep or athletic as it is now. Injuries in prior years often exposed a lack of ready backups; this year, BYU seems well-prepared to handle adversity at the position.
- Of course, proving it on the field is what matters most. Early season matchups against physical Big 12 opponents will be a huge test. But based on talent, experience, and fit within the defensive scheme, there’s real reason to believe this could be the best linebacker group of the Kalani Sitake era. If they stay healthy and continue to develop chemistry, they have the tools not just to anchor the BYU defense, but to make a real impact in their conference.
- Time will tell if this group lives up to the high expectations, but right now, the excitement around BYU’s linebackers feels more justified than ever.
- Would you also like a shorter version for social media or a headline suggestion?
