What We Learned From BYU Football Coordinators As Camp Rolls On
Aug 4, 2025, 3:29 PM | Updated: Aug 5, 2025, 1:52 pm
PROVO, Utah – BYU football rolls on into week two of fall camp practices.
Some of the key notes from BYU camp were courtesy of Defensive Coordinator Jay Hill and Offensive Coordinator Aaron Roderick.
Here’s a roundup of where things stand on storylines beyond the quarterback battle.
Running back Hinckley Ropati is waiting on a waiver
There’s a chance that running back Hinckley Folau Ropati could return for the 2025 season. It’s noteworthy as BYU lost a running back in Pokaiaua Haunga, who was viewed as a potential third or fourth option this season behind LJ Martin and Sione Moa.
BYU offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick gave an update on Ropati.
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“Yeah, we’re waiting. We’ve appealed to the NCAA for another year, and from what I know about it, I believe that he should get another year from what I know about the case,” Roderick said about Ropati potentially returning. “But I don’t know if that will happen or not. We’re waiting.”
Ropati rushed for 360 yards and a touchdown. Last year, he had a big 14-yard run that helped set BYU up for a game-winning field goal against rival Utah.
“We would love to have him back,” Roderick added on Ropati. “I want to point out what a critical player he was for us last year. We won 11 games, and he was a huge part of our success, and we would love to have him.”
Andrew Gentry and Isaiah Jatta will be the starting offensive tackles for BYU football in 2025
BYU has to replace its top two offensive tackles from last season in first-team All-Big 12 performer Caleb Etienne and Brayden Keim. The voids have already been filled, according to Roderick.
Former Colorado transfer Isaiah Jatta, who is in his second year at BYU, is going to be the left tackle. On the opposite side, at right tackle, will be Michigan transfer Andrew Gentry.
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“I expected those two to be our starting tackles—Gentry at right and Jatta at left. I have a lot of confidence in both of them,” Roderick said.
Jatta has earned high praise from Roderick since last winter. The fifth-year offensive coordinator at BYU said Jatta would be the starter at left tackle in February, and he remains bullish on the former Snow College transfer’s potential.
Gentry missed all of spring ball due to an injury he suffered at Michigan last year. He was cleared in May and has emerged as one of the standout performers in camp so far.
Carsen Ryan has “stood out” in camp
Last year’s tight end unit wasn’t much of a factor in the passing attack for BYU last season. The offensive staff wants to get BYU’s tight ends involved.
UCLA/Utah transfer Carsen Ryan looks poised to be the guy to inject some energy into BYU’s tight end unit that has been lacking since the Cougars joined the Big 12.
“Carsen Ryan, yeah, he’s really stood out, as he did in spring ball,” Roderick said when asked about tight ends who are standing out in camp.
Roderick continued, “Then there are some other good players there. We’re just working through how that will shape up. But I like that group. They’ve improved, for sure.”
A player to keep an eye on at tight end is Weber State/New Mexico transfer Keayen Nead. He’s more of a blocker, but if the Cougars bring out some 12 personnel, he could be in the mix for first-team reps in games.
Another tight end who has shown some flashes in camp is Will Zundel. The redshirt freshman out of American Fork High has been a target with second or third-team offenses during the first week of camp.
“Dog fight” competition at safety
An interesting tidbit from third-year defensive coordinator Jay Hill was the competition taking place at the backend of BYU’s defense at safety.
“There’s an absolute dog fight going on at safety right now between those two (Tanner Wall and Raider Damuni), Faletau Satuala and Tommy Prassas look great. Then, Talan Alfrey has had a great camp so far. So there’s a dog fight going on at safety.”
How is Hill juggling the challenges of a competition that features proven veterans, battling with young, promising talents?
“It’s super hard, because you want to be fair to the veteran guys, but the only thing that’s fair is to play the best guy,” Hill said. “So you’ve got to give them opportunities to show who the best guy is, and then may the best guy win come the end of fall camp.
“I think you’ll see all of those guys on the field this fall, but you know who plays the most is going to be predicated based on how the next couple of weeks go.”
Oklahoma State transfer defensive tackle Justin Kirkland is dealing with a knee injury
The defensive tackle position is lighter than BYU probably envisioned heading into fall camp.
Oklahoma State transfer Justin Kirkland is at practice, but he hasn’t participated in any team portions due to an injury. Jay Hill noted it’s a knee injury.
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“So he’s fighting right now to get back,” Hill said of Kirkland. “He’s got a dinged knee and we’ll get him back as soon as we can.”
Kirkland was expected to be a starting defensive tackle alongside Utah transfer Keanu Tanuvasa this season. If he’s out, BYU likely turns to senior John Taumoepeau.
Other options include Anisi Purcell, Weber State transfer Kaufusi Pafoke, freshman Kelepi Latu-Finau, and Hawaii transfer Alvin Puefua.
Cornerback unit “looks deeper right now”
BYU has an important task to replace cornerbacks Jakob Robinson and Marque Collins. Collins is in the CFL with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, while Robinson is turning some heads at San Francisco 49ers camp as an undrafted free agent.
Despite significant losses at cornerback, Jay Hill is pleased with the progress in that unit through one week.
“I really like the competition right now in the corner group room. Jernaro (Gilford) has done a great job with those guys, having them ready to go. That competition looks good,” Hill said.
Who could be some of the players contending to start?
“I like Mory Bamba a lot. Tre Alexander, Evan Johnson, Jonathan Kabeya, those guys have played really good. Marcus McKenzie has done some great things,” Hill said. “So the group looks deeper right now, and I like the progression. There’s a lot of talent in that group.”
Mory Bamba received a medical redshirt year that allowed him to return for an extra season.
Therrian “Tre” Alexander enters his sophomore campaign and continues to trend up. He was with the first team defense throughout spring ball.
Evan Johnson was one of the most improved players in the program last season. A speedster with 10.4 speed, Johnson missed spring due to an injury and is back in action this fall.
Jonathan Kabeya looks to be the favorite to take over the nickel position that has been anchored by Eddie Heckard and Jakob Robinson the past two seasons, since Jay Hill took over BYU’s defense.
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 athletics in the Big 12 Conference on X: @Mitch_Harper.
