Three BYU Cougars Earn All-Big 12 First Team Honors
With BYU finishing the season tied for the top record in the Big 12 Conference, it’s no surprise they had some of the league’s standout players. Three Cougars received All-Big 12 First Team recognition.
The Big 12 Conference unveiled its All-Conference football teams on Thursday, and several BYU players earned spots on the list. Among them, three were selected for the prestigious First Team. BYU concluded the regular season with a 10-2 record, sharing the conference’s best mark. This success highlights the presence of exceptional talent on their roster.
Here are the players who earned First Team accolades:
Caleb Etienne, OT
What a transformation for Etienne. After transferring from Oklahoma State last year, he struggled to secure a starting role and was eventually benched as the right tackle. However, the arrival of new offensive line coach TJ Woods made a significant difference for him.
When Kingsley Suamataia left for the NFL Draft, Etienne shifted to left tackle this season, where he excelled. He played every snap, protecting Jake Retzlaff’s blind side. Against Houston last week, Etienne earned an impressive 86.5 pass-blocking grade from Pro Football Focus, allowing no pressures in 24 pass-blocking snaps.
From being benched to making the All-Big 12 First Team, Etienne’s turnaround is remarkable.
Tyler Batty, DE
Batty’s recognition feels well-earned after five seasons at BYU. This year, he finally reached his potential, ranking sixth in the conference with 31 QB pressures. He also recorded the first two interceptions of his career, capping off a solid tenure at BYU.
Opponents clearly took notice of Batty’s impact, granting him First Team honors as he closes out his BYU career on a high note.
Will Ferrin, K
Ferrin delivered one of the most memorable moments of BYU’s season. In a high-stakes game against Utah in Salt Lake City, he stayed composed as BYU scrambled to position for a field goal. With a smile on his face, Ferrin nailed a 44-yard game-winner, cementing his legacy at BYU.
Statistically, Ferrin was the best kicker in the Big 12, boasting a league-leading 90.9% field goal percentage. He converted 19 of 21 attempts under 50 yards and was perfect on all 38 extra-point tries. Ferrin’s stellar performance earned him First Team honors and the title of Big 12 Co-Special Teams Player of the Year.
Additional Honors
Beyond the First Team selections, several other Cougars were recognized:
Second Team Honors: Keelan Marion (special teams) and Jakob Robinson.
Honorable Mention: Marque Collins (DB), Isaiah Glasker (LB), Brayden Keim (OL), Jack Kelly (LB), Weylin Lapuaho (OL), Blake Mangelson (DL), Tommy Prassas (special teams), and Jake Retzlaff (QB).