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BYU Football Defensive Newcomers in 2025

Originally posted on The Forkball
By Tyla Wright Kosmicki | Last updated Jul 29, 2025 6:15 PM ET

BYU Football reports to fall camp today, so let’s take a look at the newcomers on the defense. The newcomers could be freshmen, transfers, or those who have returned from their mission. Below is a short bio and a description of what they could contribute to BYU this season.

Tausili Akana DE

Tausili Akana is a 6-3, 235 lbs sophomore DE from Laie, Hawaii, and a transfer from Texas. He has suited up in one game and had one tackle for the Longhorns last season. He will be a valuable addition to the defensive line and will serve as a reliable backup this season, particularly when injuries start to accumulate.

Berkley Alfrey LB

Berkley Alfrey is a 6-0, 235 lbs freshman from Auburn, Washington, and is the brother of Talan Alfrey. He probably won’t see the field yet unless needed, but if he does and follows in his brother’s footsteps, he could be dangerous on the field.

Crew Clark S

Crew Clark is a 6-0, 200 lbs freshman from Sugar City, Idaho. This is another freshman who won’t see the field this year unless injuries pile up, but he will be learning from a great group of players.

Hunter Clegg DE

Hunter Clegg is a 6-4, 245 lbs freshman from American Fork, Utah. He will join the defensive line and also be able to learn from some of the older guys on the team. If he is needed, we will suit up this fall.

Cannon DeVries CB

Cannon DeVries is a 6-0, 185 lbs freshman from North Ogden, Utah. He played for Weber High School and could suit up for the Cougars, but I doubt we will see him this fall with all the experience we have at cornerback.

Joseph Douglas S

Joseph Douglas is a 6-2, 208 lbs freshman from Stansbury Park, Utah. He suited up for Tooele High School and will ride the bench this season because the Safties are packed full of great players.

Garrison Grimes DS

Garrison Grimes is a 6-2, 220 lbs senior from American Fork, Utah, and a transfer from Baylor. He played three seasons for the Bears. Grimes played in 31 games and had five tackles in punt coverage over those games. The deep snapper position is up for grabs with another transfer who will fight for this position in fall camp.

Tyler Payne LB

Tyler Payne is a 6-1, 220 lbs freshman from Pleasant View, UT, ah and played for Weber High School. He is the brother of Logan Payne, who will suit up as a running back this season for the Cougars. Payne also probably won’t see the field but will learn from another great group of guys.

Anisi Purcell DT

Anisis Purcell is a 6-3, 300 lbs junior from West Bountiful, Utah, and a transfer from Southern Utah. He suited up for three seasons for the Thunderbirds and played in 19 games with 39 tackles and 3.5 sacks. He may be an option for the Cougars if they need it during clean-up in games or if injuries pile up later in the season.

Fuller Shurtz K

Fuller Shurtz is a 5-11, 180 lbs freshman from Katy, Texas. He won’t see the field this season due to Will Ferrin performing so well last season.

Ty Smith DS

Ty Smith is a 6-0, 195 lbs freshman from Gilbert, Arizona. He will be in a competition with another transfer for this position this fall.

Keanu Tanuvasa DT

Keanu Tanuvasa is a 6-4, 300 lbs junior from Mission Viejo, California, and a transfer from Utah. He played in three seasons for the Utes and played in 24 games with 50 tackles, four sacks, five pass deflections, and one fumble. Tanuvasa will be an instant starter for the Cougars and a weapon for Jay Hill’s defense.

Vincent Tautua DE

Vincent Tautua is a 6-,3 250 lbs freshman from Ewa Beach, Hawaii. He won’t be a starter or maybe even a backup this season with the number of defense linemen BYU has on the roster.