The BYU football team exceeded all prior expectations in 2024, achieving an 11-2 record and ending in a tie for first in the Big 12 standings. A often overlooked narrative in the 2024 season was the quantity of freshmen contributing significant playing time for the Cougars. BYU was not just winning; a youth movement was also emerging behind the scenes. Entering 2025, several of those freshmen will become essential members of the team in 2025. Here are 10 first-year players who will assume greater responsibilities for BYU in the upcoming season.
Sione Moa – Running Back
True freshman running back Sione Moa was unexpectedly put into play much sooner than expected when LJ Martin and Hinckley Ropati faced injuries in September. Moa improved progressively with every carry, demonstrating that he can definitely serve as a valuable backup to LJ Martin in the upcoming season.
As Hinckley Ropati is poised to graduate (unless he opts for his additional year of JUCO eligibility), a vacancy exists for the backup running back position. It’s just January, yet Moa appears to be the leading candidate for that position.
Jonathan Kabeya – Central Back
Few fans were discussing true freshman Jonathan Kabeya as the 2024 season approached. Nonetheless, Kabeya had significant playing time early in his BYU journey. Kabeya participated in 60 snaps overall for Jay Hill and set himself up to vie for a starting position at cornerback in 2025.
BYU is poised to lose Marque Collins and Jakob Robinson to the NFL Draft. There’s a chance for a young player such as Kabeya to secure one of the starting positions.
Jojo Phillips – Wide Receiver
It’s simple to overlook that Jojo Phillips was merely a redshirt freshman in 2024. It’s even simpler to overlook that Phillips is quite new to football. Phillips was on track to emerge as a leading wide receiver prospect in high school, garnering early offers from schools like LSU. Phillips then took a break from football for a year to concentrate on basketball. Ultimately, he went back to the field and pledged to compete for BYU.
As a redshirt freshman, Phillips recorded 211 receiving yards in a competitive wide receiver group.
Jojo could become the top deep threat for the team in the upcoming season. He will play a crucial role in the offense for the upcoming years.
Pokaiaua Haunga – RB
Pokaiaua Haunga has the potential to become an excellent player in BYU’s offensive scheme. Haunga sat out the 2024 season, making him a redshirt freshman in 2025. In a few plays, Haunga accumulated 124 yards from scrimmage.
Haunga excelled as a wide receiver in high school, making him a genuine receiving threat from the backfield. Aaron Roderick’s experience as a wide receiver may provide him with numerous possibilities in the passing game for 2025.
BYU’s coaching team was doing everything possible to preserve Haunga’s redshirt status in 2024, and they succeeded. Similar to Sione Moa, we anticipate Pokaiaua Haunga will vie for the backup position in 2025 and receive increased reps during the season.
Viliami Po’uha – DL
In a defensive end group crowded with young, emerging talent, it was returned missionary Viliami Po’uha who saw the most playing time. Po’uha ranked as the second-best pass rusher among BYU’s defensive linemen, just behind Tyler Batty.
Po’uha was ranked at 260 during his first year as a true freshman. If he gains additional weight, he could be a prospect to move inside and play defensive tackle.
Regardless, Po’uha will assume a bigger position after participating in 65 significant snaps in 2024.
Cody Hagen – Wide Receiver
On paper, there isn’t much space for an additional wide receiver in the rotation for 2025. Chase Roberts, Keelan Marion, Jojo Phillips, and Parker Kingston make their comeback in 2025. Darius Lassiter might also come back, having an additional year of JUCO eligibility.
If anyone is capable of solving that rotation, we believe it is Cody Hagen.
Cody Hagen came back from his mission just a few months prior to Fall camp in 2024. He made plays during Fall camp and had few snap opportunities for the BYU offense.
As a true freshman, he recorded 3 receptions for 29 yards. After a complete offseason of strength training and conditioning, we are confident that Cody Hagen will be too talented to remain off the field.
Faletau Satuala – S
Faletau Satuala is among the most skilled athletes on the BYU squad. Satuala participated in 119 plays for the BYU defense during his true freshman year, and we anticipate him being on the field much more in 2025. Satuala became part of the program a few months prior to Fall camp – he lacked the advantage of Spring camp, unlike many other freshmen on this list. Nonetheless, Satuala took many significant snaps for BYU in an experienced safety group.
BYU starting safety Crew Wakley has entered the transfer portal after the 2024 season. If there’s any role where BYU can handle a loss like that, it’s at safety. Faletau Satuala is a major factor for this.
Tommy Prassas – S
Talking about true freshmen safeties, Arizona’s own Tommy Prassas logged more snaps than any true freshman in 2024. Prassas executed several significant plays this season, highlighted by a scoop-and-score versus Kansas State and an interception that led to a score against Oklahoma State.
Prassas ranks among the top four safeties heading into 2025, alongside Tanner Wall, Raider Damuni, and Faletau Satuala.
Tre Alexander – Cornerback
Tre Alexander ranks among the top athletes in the lineup. If he can gain weight in the offseason (he was listed at 170 pounds in 2024), he will vie for a starting position at cornerback.
On paper, BYU required cornerback help when the transfer portal became available. Nonetheless, BYU did not recruit a cornerback. Maybe the growth of former freshmen Tre Alexander and Jonathan Kabeya is the cause.
Ephraim Asiata – Defensive Lineman
True freshman defensive end Ephraim Asiata participated in 45 plays for the BYU defense in 2024. It’s no secret that Asiata must gain weight – his position coach has mentioned this several times during media interviews. If he can gain the necessary weight, he has the ability to be an exceptional pass rusher at BYU.
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