One of BYU's best players will be back for his senior season. On Sunday, BYU star defensive end Tyler Batty announced on KSL Sports that he will return to BYU next season. Batty, a team captain, was considering leaving a year early for the NFL.
Batty's return will be a major boost to the BYU defense next season. He was the Cougars' best pass rusher by a wide margin. According to Pro Football Focus, Batty finished the season with 34 total pressure (more than double the next highest player), 6 sacks, and 24 stops. He accounted for 26% of BYU's quarterback pressures by himself.
He was also named to the second team All-Big 12 at the conclusion of the regular season. Given his performance in 2023, Batty could be a preseason All-Big 12 selection next year.
As a defense, BYU didn't get after the quarterback enough in 2023. It was a major weakness for this BYU football team - the Cougars ranked 129th in team sacks out of 133 FBS teams. Tyler Batty, however, was the lone bright spot from the BYU pass rush. Getting Batty back for one more season gives BYU a chance to take a step forward in that area in 2024.
BYU is still waiting for decisions from 13 other players that could return next season.
- Isaiah Bagnah DE
- Benjamin Bywater LB
- Caleb Christensen CB
- Caleb Etienne OL
- Talmage Gunther WR
- Ammon Hannemann LB
- Caden Haws DT
- Brayden Keim OL
- Connor Pay OL
- Isaac Rex TE
- Aidan Robbins RB
- Kingsley Suamataia OL
- Darius Lassiter WR
Kingsley Suamataia will likely leave for the NFL Draft. Isaac Rex publicly said 2023 would be his last year at BYU. Beyond those two, a few players from that list could return for the Cougars next season.
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