PROVO, Utah Football at BYU is still getting ready for its game against the Colorado Buffaloes in the Alamo Bowl. College football’s national echo chamber seeks to convince fans that bowl games aren’t as important as they once were, but coaches still cherish them. As they get ready for the Buffs and lay the groundwork for 2025, BYU’s staff wants to take advantage of as many practice opportunities as possible. BYU is eager to take on Colorado on December 28 after losing out on a bowl game in 2023, while providing its depth players with opportunities to gain snaps.
“In these bowl practices, we’re scrimmaging almost every day,” Aaron Roderick, the offensive coordinator for BYU, stated. It resembles an additional spring ball. By the time we play the game, the amount of work is about equal to what we get in the spring.
When one mentions spring ball, younger athletes immediately come to mind. Many of the seniors on BYU’s 10-win squad from this year will need to be replaced. The coaching staff, however, thinks there are gifted young players in the wings. The following young employees stand to gain the most from these Alamo Bowl drills, which might help them gain more recognition in 2025 or during the bowl game.
Therrian Alexander III
Cornerback
Class: Freshman
Given that Marque Collins and Jakob Robinson will graduate at the end of this season, Alexander has a chance to be among BYU’s best cornerbacks in 2025. The former three-star Georgia prospect chose BYU over offers from Ole Miss, Houston, West Virginia, Georgia Tech, and other Power 4 schools.
Kaden Chidester
Offensive Line
Class: Redshirt-Freshman
During his collegiate career at Western Michigan, Bourguet made eight starts as a quarterback. This year, the former Tucson, Arizona native started as a preferred walk-on before receiving a scholarship because he wanted to attend BYU. Bourguet will probably compete with McCae Hillstead for the number two slot behind starter Jake Retzlaff if BYU’s quarterback unit remains unchanged for 2025.
Kaden Chidester
Offensive Line
Class: Redshirt-Freshman
Kaden Chidester, who stands 6′ 8″ and weighs 310 pounds, shares measurements with former BYU standout Blake Freeland. Chidester has the ability to be a productive offensive lineman for the Cougars.
Raider Damuni
Safety
Class: Sophomore
On November 23, Damuni earned the start against Arizona State, replacing an injured Crew Wakley. Damuni or Faletau Satuala have the opportunity to establish themselves as the first team safety going into winter conditioning now that Wakley is in the transfer portal. Damuni has registered at least two tackles in every game since the Oklahoma State match. Damuni earned his first career tackle for loss during the Kansas game.
Kinilau Fonohema
Defensive End
Class: Freshman
Kini Fonohema, a former standout at Springville High, was supposed to put on weight during his first season at BYU. His weight was 210 pounds. After this season, every member of BYU’s starting defensive line will graduate. Everywhere, there will be chances for young athletes to shine. A guy like Fonohema may use bowl practices as a launching pad to start the 2025 season. Griffin, Jake
Jake Griffin
Offensive Line
Class: Redshirt-Freshman
Next season, BYU will have some openings along the offensive line, especially at offensive tackle. As he competes for a starting position, Jake Griffin might be an interesting player to watch. When Jeff Grimes was still the offensive coordinator, Griffin, a former three-star prospect from Mesa, Arizona, signed with BYU. At 6-foot-5 and 291 pounds, Griffin was a guy who earned some offensive line second-unit plays during August’s fall camp.
Miles Hall
Linebacker
Class: Redshirt-Freshman
Miles Hall was able to get playing time against Kansas, Arizona State, and Houston in the latter stages of the regular season due to injuries at the inside linebacker position. Hall’s path is comparable to that of Isaiah Glasker. possesses exceptional athleticism for the linebacker position and was a wide receiver and safety in high school.
Pokaiaua Haunga
Running Back
Class: Freshman
Pokai Haunga, a freshman, was the talk of spring practices in March at the running back position. Haunga, a former standout at Timpview High, has drawn similarities to Reno Mahe, a former BYU star who was a running back coming out of Brighton High. During the 2024 season, coaches kept Haunga in his redshirt and only used him in four games.
McCae Hillstead
Quarterback
Class: Sophomore
This season, the former Utah State transfer was a redshirt. The reporters observed Hillstead throwing deep balls downfield on a regular basis during fall camp practice. Last April, Landing Hillstead was a wise addition. He demonstrated dual-threat skills in his one season at Utah State, where he made four starts.
Sione I. Moa
Running Back
Class: Freshman
Sione I. Moa, a freshman walk-on, was one of the pleasant surprises of 2024. Moa excelled in media windows during autumn camp exercises. However, it was with the offence of the third or even fourth team. But when given chances in the regular season, that camp success translated into success. Last September, BYU defeated Kansas State 38–9, and Moa had a standout effort with 15 carries, 76 yards, and one touchdown. But then an injury kept him out of action. On November 30, he made another excursion to the endzone against Houston to round out the regular season. Moa has a chance to be LJ Martin’s backup running back the next season.
Trevin Ostler
Offensive Line
Class: Redshirt-Sophomore
During spring and autumn camps, former Bountiful High standout Trevin Ostler has displayed glimpses of his talent. His third season in the organisation was 2024. He might get a chance to prove himself as a starting option in 2025 when there are offensive line vacancies.
Jojo Phillips
Wide Receiver
Class: Redshirt-Freshman
Jojo Phillips, a redshirt freshman wide receiver, seems ready for a more significant part in BYU’s offence the next season. The latter two weeks of the regular season have witnessed an increase in Phillips targets. Prior to Retzlaff’s pass to Darius Lassiter, which resulted in the game-winning touchdown, he was also the intended receiver on BYU’s final play against Oklahoma State.
Viliami Po’uha
Defensive End
Class: Freshman
Viliami Po’uha, a defensive end, was one of the players who improved the most during the season. Viliami, the son of Sione Po’uha, the defensive tackle coach at BYU, may be the early favourite to start at defensive end in 2025. These bowling drills ought to be beneficial. The regular season ended with Po’uha recording nine tackles.
Faletau Satuala
Safety
Class: Freshman
The highly regarded four-star prospect might have a chance to start at safety the next season. In BYU’s victory over UCF, Satuala, who has played in 11 games this season, recorded one interception. Satuala replaced Crew Wakley as the first safety off the bench after he was hurt against Kansas.
Sani Tuala
Defensive End
Class: Sophomore
The Sydney, Australia-born former Citrus College prospect is still learning how to play football. He had played football for just a year before to coming at BYU. Tuala, however, is a player to watch for 2025 because of his stature and speed (6-5, 280 pounds).