BYU DC Jay Hill Excited With Early Returns From Defensive Line Transfers

PROVO, Utah – BYU football wrapped up the 2025 recruiting class on Wednesday with Signing Day.

The Cougars added 22 players from the high school ranks. They announced another eight from the transfer portal and other signees.

BYU Football Signing Day

Within the pool of the eight transfer additions, four will compete along the defensive line.

“It was a big need for us to fill the shoes of some departing senior D-linemen,” BYU defensive coordinator Jay Hill said on Wednesday. “Losing (Tyler) Batty, Blake Mangelson, and (Isaiah) Bagnah, and all of those guys that we lost with playing experience, we needed to replace those guys.”

BYU had the number-one defense in the Big 12 in 2024, allowing only 19.6 points per game.

Jay Hill has high expectations for Keanu Tanuvasa in 2025

To maintain their position at the top of the Big 12 on defense, the Cougars made former Utah standout Keanu Tanuvasa a top priority in the transfer portal.

“I think in some aspects, we expect some of these guys to surpass what we’ve done. I mean, our goal is to always get better,” Hill said. “That doesn’t take away from anything we’ve done in the past, but we’re always looking to improve. I really think Keanu in the middle helps solidify that size that we were lacking. He just adds so much beef.”

Jay Hill is bullish on the potential of Tanuvasa along the interior of BYU’s defensive line in 2025.

“…I think [he’s] going to be phenomenal; maybe the best D-lineman, D-tackle in the country,” said Jay Hill. “He looks phenomenal right now in the weight room and through the runs and stuff. So we’re excited about him.”

Tanuvasa appeared in seven games at Utah last season and had 17 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, and one sack.

Tausili Akana and Anisi Purcell look to compete for immediate playing time

BYU also added former Skyridge High standout, Texas Longhorns transfer Tausili Akana as an outside edge rusher.

“Tausili Akana has done a great job gaining weight. He’s here [and] looks phenomenal,” Hill said.

BYU head coach Kalani Sitake said in a Signing Day interview on BYUtv that Akana has already gained 10 pounds since arriving in Provo.

Hill noted that he loves the upside and athleticism of Southern Utah transfer Anisi Purcell. The 6-foot-3, 285-pound Purcell played defensive end for the T-Birds, but he projects along BYU’s defensive front as a defensive tackle.

RM Hunter Clegg

Another intriguing defensive end option is former Utah signee Hunter Clegg, a four-star recruit in the 2023 cycle. Clegg has been with the team since Alamo Bowl practices after serving a two-year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Armenia/Georgia.

BYU is always patient when integrating returned missionaries into the program. However, since returning from his mission, Clegg has made an impression on Hill early on.

“… we’re excited about Hunter. We recruited him in high school and love him; excited about what he’s showing right now,” Hill said.

BYU football players returning along the defensive line

Some returning personnel expected to have increased roles along the defensive line next season include edge rusher Logan Lutui, who received an extra year of eligibility from the NCAA for a medical waiver. The Cougars also bring back Ephraim Asiata, John Taumoepeau, Josh Singh, Bodie Schoonover, Viliami Po’uha, Luke To’omalatai, and redshirt sophomore Sani Tuala, among others.

Jay Hill added, “Bottom line, I think our D-line will be the same or better than we’ve been in the past, for sure.”

Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for sports.ksl.com and hosts the Cougar Tracks Podcast (SUBSCRIBE) and Cougar Sports Saturday (12–3 p.m.) on KSL Newsradio. Follow Mitch’s coverage of BYU in the Big 12 Conference on X: @Mitch_Harper.

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