BYU’s new starting quarterback is going to need a good amount of help this coming season, and fortunately a healthy amount is well in store with those that he’ll be throwing the ball to.
At least according to Cougar passing game coordinator and receivers coach Fesi Sitake, who defines his position group as, “The deepest quality of depth we’ve ever had since I began coaching here eight years ago. I’m super excited about this group.”
Sitake’s assessment is a necessary one, considering the challenge ahead for the four quarterbacks who will be competing for BYU’s starting duties this coming August.
Chief among the BYU’s receiving corps is, of course, senior Chase Roberts, who elected to return to the program following a breakout junior season where he caught 52 passes for 854 yards and four touchdowns. The 6-foot-4 former American Fork Caveman has developed a knack to not only find open spaces down the football field, but showed last season the necessary ball skills and speed to beat an opposing defensive secondary on a consistent basis.
“Chase is the alpha of our group,” Sitake said. “It was huge having him return and fortunately we didn’t have to sell him a lot in coming back. He loves BYU and he’s really grounded with how he goes about his work, which is a big thing to have for our position group.”What aided Roberts throughout last season was the attention receivers like Darrius Lassiter and Keelan Marion demanded on the opposite side of the field. Both receivers have moved on, however, which could make coverages on Roberts tighter this season, as a result.
But Sitake is optimistic his other receivers, two in particular, will take the opportunity to step up and fill in affectively where both Lassiter and Marion left off in providing plenty of problems for opposing defenses.
“I feel that this fall is the pay day for both Parker (Kingston) and JoJo (Phillips)” Sitake said. “They’ve both been patient and they’ve been on the right trajectory. I think they’re both due for huge seasons if they stay healthy.”
Kingston was a standout on special teams last season, returning two punts for touchdowns while logging 13 receptions for 196 yards and another touchdown. The 5-foot-11 Roy High School product presents a shifty option who is likely to directly replace Marion in operating primarily out of the slot position as he looks to expand his role this year.
“Parker has turned a corner and he’s done everything right. He’s going to have a big year,” Sitake added about Kingston. “He’ll be playing a lot and I think this will be his pay day this fall.”
Phillips caught 10 passes for 221 yards and two touchdowns last season as a freshman, using his superior 6-5 frame to cause matchup problems for opposing defensive backs. The key now, for Phillips, is to prove more consistent while working to replace the production Lassiter provided in 2024.
“The sky is the limit for him and it’s really lined up for him to reach his great potential this season,” Sitake said of Phillips.
Pushing both Kingston and Phillips will be a young, but talented group of freshmen and sophomores led by Cody Hagen (6-0, 185 So.), Tei Nacua (6-2, 185 Fr.), Dominique McKenzie (5-11, 180 Fr.) and Lamason Waller (6-1, 180 Fr.), along with transfers Tiger Bachmeier (6-1, 190) and Reggie Frischknecht (6-4, 200).
“Tiger and Reggie have picked up the playbook as fast as anyone I’ve been around in my career,” Sitake informed of his two incoming transfer receivers. “That speaks to them and how much they love the game, and also how smart they are. I’m super excited about them both, and I think they’re both going to have an impact.”
Bachmeier transferred to BYU from Stanford where he totaled 46 receptions for 476 yards and two touchdowns. Frischknecht comes to BYU from Snow College where he caught 38 passes for 740 yards and 14 touchdowns last season.
“If you look at what we have this year, there’s not really eye-popping production in terms of what guys have done here at BYU, but the quality of play, the skill set and the maturity is what has me so excited about this group,” Sitake concluded. “The potential of this group is really high, I feel, and I’m excited to see how they compete and come together this fall.”
