Projecting BYU's 2024 Roster After December Transfer Window

Originally posted on BYU Cougars on SI
By Casey Lundquist | Last updated Jan 10, 2024 10:00 AM ET

In 2023, BYU's roster turnover was at an all-time high. BYU welcomed in record numbers of newcomers and transfers. There will be less turnover in 2024 than there was in 2023, but like every year, a large group of newcomers will join the roster in time for Fall camp. Today we're projecting BYU's 2024 as of today.

2024 Roster by The Numbers

By our unofficial count, 29 players from the 2023 roster will not be on the 2024 roster. Some of those 29 players are leaving to pursue the NFL, others are graduating, and handful of players left BYU and entered the transfer portal. That leaves BYU with 29 roster spots to fill.

Of the 29 roster spots available, 7 of those spots are reserved for walk-ons and 22 of them are reserved for scholarship players.

Depending on how many missionaries join the program in time for Fall camp, BYU could be bringing as 30 scholarship players for the 2024 season. For those of you keeping track, that means BYU is eight scholarships above the limit (remember, these numbers are unofficial). BYU will likely get to the scholarship limit by asking a few missionaries to greyshirt.

BYU still has some roster needs to address through the transfer portal. Before they can bring in more transfers, they will need to free up some scholarships.

Lastly, four BYU signees from the 2021 class were not on the roster last year: Nathan Hoke, Sione Hingano, Dallin Havea, and Jovesa Damuni. If one or two of those players don't end up enrolling, it would free up scholarships. For the purposes of this article, we will assume that all four will be joining the program for the 2024 season.

2024 BYU Roster by Position

Below is a roster breakdown by position. Bold font indicates that player is a newcomer.

Quarterbacks

11 - Cade Fennegan
12 - Jake Retzlaff
15 - Nick Billoups
16 - Cole Hagen
18 - Ryder Burton
TBD - Noah Lugo
TBD - Treyson Bourguet
TBD - Gerry Bohanon

In terms of roster spots, quarterback is a position to watch. BYU is scheduled to have eight quarterbacks on the roster for Spring camp. That number will likely need to go down by Fall camp.

Running Backs

4 - Miles Davis
7 - Hinckley Ropati
21 - Enoch Nawahine
27 - LJ Martin
30 - Nukuluve Helu
TBD - Jovesa Damuni

BYU needs to add at least one more scholarship running back, probably two. 2021 signee Jovesa Damuni could end up at running back, wide receiver, or defensive back.

Nukuluve Helu is a candidate to play defense. Don't be surprised if you see him listed at linebacker for Spring camp.

Wide Receivers

0 - Kody Epps
1 - Keanu Hill
2 - Chase Roberts
5 - Darius Lassiter
13 - Jojo Phillips
17 - Keelan Marion
29 - Jake Hill
31 - Kevin Doe
80 - Koa Eldredge
82 - Parker Kingston
88 - Devin Downing
TBD - Tei Nacua
TBD - Cody Hagen
TBD - Dominique McKenzie
TBD - Jarinn Kalama
TBD - Pokaiaua Haunga

BYU will be bringing in a lot of young talent at wide receiver for the 2024 season. These newcomers will become BYU's wide receiving core of the future after players like Kody Epps, Chase Roberts, and Darius Lassiter graduate. Jarinn Kalama and Pokaiaua Haunga could end up at different positions. Haunga is a candidate to play running back and Kalama could play on defense.

Tight Ends

19 - Jackson Bowers
22 - Mason Fakahua
35 - Bentley Redden
42 - Ray Paulo
49 - Nason Coleman
85 - Anthony Olsen
87 - Ethan Erickson
99 - Mata'ava Ta'ase
TBD - Ryner Swanson
TBD - Noah Moeaki

True freshman and four-star recruit Ryner Swanson could make an immediate impact for BYU. Swanson might be the best receiving tight end as soon as he steps on campus.

Offensive Line

51 - Sonny Makasini
52 - Ben Ward
55 - Joseph Paulo
56 - Jake Eichorn
60 - Tyler Little
61 - Weylin Lapuaho
64 - Brayden Keim
68 - Peter Falaniko
70 - Connor Pay
73 - Weston Jones
74 - Trevin Ostler
75 - Sam Dawe
76 - Caleb Etienne
77 - Jake Griffin
79 - Kaden Chidester
TBD - Ikinasio Tupou
TBD - Sione Hingano

Offensive line is a position group that needs to add a few players from the transfer portal.

Defensive Line

13 - Isaiah Bagnah
48 - Bodie Schoonover
56 - Nuuletau Sellesin
58 - Aisea Moa
59 - Logan Lutui
90 - David Latu
92 - Tyler Batty
93 - Blake Mangelson
94 - John Nelson
96 - Bruce Mitchell
98 - Wyatt Dawe
99 - Joshua Singh
TBD - Viliami Po'uha
TBD - Sani Tuala
TBD - Devoux Tuataga
TBD - Dallin Johnson
TBD - Danny Saili
TBD - Luke To'omalatai

BYU needed to add more high-level talent at this position and they addressed that need in the 2024 class.

Linebackers

2 - Ben Bywater
11 - Harrison Taggart
16 - Isaiah Glasker
18 - Ace Kaufusi
30 - Miles Hall
34 - Maika Kaufusi
41 - Sione Moa
43 - Naseri Danielson
49 - Lucky Finau
50 - Kason Krebs
53 - Fisher Jackson
54 - Siale Esera
TBD - Jack Kelly
TBD - Ephraim Asiata
TBD - Nathan Hoke
TBD - Dallin Havea

The future is bright at linebacker. BYU returns experience at this position and they'll also welcome some talented newcomers.

Defensive Backs

0 - Jakob Robinson
1 - Micah Harper
15 - Chika Ebunoha
19 - Mory Bamba
21 - Dylan Flowers
25 - Talan Alfrey
26 - Ethan Slade
27 - Preston Rex
28 - Tanner Wall
29 - Jayden Dunlap
32 - Marcus McKenzie
32 - Ty Burke
33 - Raider Damuni
35 - Zion Allen
36 - Evan Johnson
37 - Malae Tanuvasa
38 - Crew Wakley
42 - Petey Tuipulotu
TBD - Tre Alexander
TBD - Jonathan Kabeya
TBD - Matthias Leach
TBD - Thomas Prassas
TBD - Faletau Satuala
TBD - Marque Collins
TBD - Cannon Devries

No position group will welcome more newcomers than the defensive backs in 2024. BYU is adding a lot of young, high-level talent in this area. Depth at safety was a major problem in 2023. BYU will welcome multiple new safeties in 2024.

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