Where Former BYU Football Transfers Have Landed, How They’ve Fared

PROVO, Utah – BYU football, like any other program on the college gridiron, has its fair share of comings and goings. Players sign, play for the Cougars, appear for a couple of years, then move on, or in some cases, they never show up at all.

Here’s a tracker of the former BYU football players who are part of different football programs heading into the 2021 season. Along with details of how their collegiate careers have fared to this point.

2021 transfers

Seleti Fevaleaki – Snow College

Fevaleaki appeared in 10 games last season for BYU. There was a chance he was going to contend for playing time this season along the defensive line. Instead, he is now reportedly at Snow College after entering the transfer portal this past summer.

Darius McFarland – Utah State

McFarland bounced around from tight end to defensive line during his BYU career and couldn’t find his place within the two-deep. So he’s now closer to home in the Cache Valley at Utah State, where he’s listed as a freshman defensive end.

#BYU DL and former Box Elder High standout Darius McFarland has entered the Transfer Portal.#BYUFootball #GoCougs https://t.co/RFLwPPcBDp

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) December 15, 2020

Jake Jensen – Contra Costa College

Jensen had a productive spring ball as BYU’s fifth quarterback this past March. A former Pleasant Grove High standout, Jensen, a preferred walk-on at BYU, bet on himself and pursued a career at the JUCO ranks with Contra Costa College. Since making a move, he’s received recruiting interest from Power Five schools.

Blessed to have received an offer from the University of California Berkeley!! @CoachMusgrave @CoachHeyward @CoachO60 @CCC_CometFB @JuCoFootballACE #GoBears #CalFootball pic.twitter.com/dQcpZeNi4d

— Jake Jensen (@18jakejensen) July 7, 2021

Hirkley Latu – UCF

A former three-star safety prospect in Kalani Sitake’s first recruiting class, Latu was a nice coup for BYU out of Kahuku High School. Unfortunately, injuries plagued his time at BYU. Now he gets a fresh new start at the Bounce House in Orlando with Gus Malzahn’s UCF Knights.

Excited for the future! #ChargeOn pic.twitter.com/5o2ctG9UJY

— Hirkley Latu (@hirklatu) March 18, 2021

Latu is listed as a linebacker with UCF.

Chase Wester – Southern Virginia

During the back half of the 2020 season, Wester, a former walk-on from Georgia, was one of the top four or five running backs in Harvey Unga’s room after all the injuries. Wester is now at Southern Virginia University, a DIII school aligned with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints values.

Kuj Tapusoa – TBD

This past winter, Tapusoa, a former linebacker/fullback, entered the Transfer Portal for the second time. He hasn’t landed with a new school.

Luc Andrada – TBD

A speedster from Colorado, Andrada worked out at wide receiver and running back during his time with the BYU football program before entering the Transfer Portal. Andrada could end staying up at BYU as a track & field athlete.

Luc Andrada was part of the #BYU football program the past two seasons.#BYUFootball #GoCougs https://t.co/9ODUY5OZT8

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) June 16, 2021

Transfers out of BYU football from previous years

*Transfers who are on college football rosters in 2021

Austin Chambers – Maine

The former BYU offensive and defensive lineman transferred to Maine last year. He started in all four games during the Black Bears spring season earlier this year. Chambers is projected to start again this fall.

#Maine DL and Shawnee Mission West alum Austin Chambers will wear No. 29 this season to honor his high school teammate Andre Maloney. Andre was a #KUFBall commit that tragically passed away in 2013 after suffering a stroke during a game his senior year #BlackBearNation https://t.co/9TW29wE2I0

— Randy Withers (@RandyWithersKC) August 20, 2021

Alec Fitz Wyble-Meza – ASA Miami

A former walk-on running back, Wyble-Meza is currently competing at running back at Florida’s only Junior College football program, ASA Miami.

Alec Wyble-Meza From Asa Miami@therealalecmeza
RB
3.3 Gpa
5’10”
205
Film- https://t.co/8wpE8V5Gun pic.twitter.com/vPb5saOyWr

— ASA Miami Football (@ASAMiamiFB) July 7, 2021

Kainoa Fuiava – Western Michigan

Fuiava was a big addition for the Western Michigan Broncos this off-season. Years ago, Fuiava was expected to sign with Hawaii, but he made a late Signing Day switch to sign with BYU and Kalani Sitake’s first recruiting class in 2016.

Fuiava was a young kid when he arrived at BYU. Despite showing flashes in practice at times of his potential, he ultimately moved on.

Beat the odds…🤐 pic.twitter.com/8ByiXIvKwy

— Kainoa Fuiava (@KainoaFuiava) July 28, 2021

After two years at BYU, Fuiava transferred to Idaho State, and he flourished in Pocatello. During his three seasons with the Bengals, Fuiava piled up 128 tackles and six sacks.

He arrives in Kalamazoo as a grad transfer with one year of eligibility remaining, and he’s done a “tremendous job” for the Broncos throughout their camp so far.

Fuiava has the potential to be an NFL player next year.

Devonta’e Henry-Cole – Utah State

When Henry-Cole had a sudden departure from BYU, months after signing with the Cougars from rival Utah, Kalani Sitake wasn’t fazed. Even though at this time one year ago, BYU had big questions at running back. Obviously, those questions were answered in a hurry, with Tyler Allgeier emerging as one of the nation’s top backs.

This will be a great year! pic.twitter.com/RhpDzPpzim

— RUNDHC (@DevontaeHenry) August 10, 2021

Henry-Cole rushed the ball 41 times last year for 180 yards. He’s viewed as one of the top running backs for the Aggies this season.

Devin Kaufusi – Utah

In recent years, the Kaufusi family name has primarily resided at BYU on the gridiron. However, that changed when Devin Kaufusi transferred to Utah in 2020. Kaufusi played in all five of Utah’s games a season ago, starting in two after switching to the interior at defensive tackle.

Pleased to announce that I have officially committed to the University of Utah. There I will further my football career and education. Thank you @CoachPowell99 @UtahCoachWhitt @SafetyPride @Utah_Football UTAH MAN AM I💯 pic.twitter.com/HjTcNwabba

— Devin Kaufusi (@devskaufusi) April 8, 2020

Kaufusi is now listed at 6-foot-7, 300-pounds, and will play inside this fall for the Utes.

Jeremia Ieremia – Ottawa University Arizona (NAIA)

Former Hurricane High standout signed with BYU when Bronco Mendenhall was the coach. He was part of BYU’s program for one season after serving a mission to South Africa. Ieremia ended up moving on to Snow College, then after time in Ephraim, Ieremia has landed at NAIA Ottawa University Arizona.

Tuipulotu Lai – Snow College

A three-star recruit in the class of 2020, Tuipulotu Lai, matriculated into Snow College instead of BYU last year. He participated in the spring season with the Badgers and is expected to contribute again this fall along the defensive line.

Just a kid tryna make it out the mud⏳🙏🏾…… pic.twitter.com/TGKEbxgpZR

— Tuipulotu Lai🇹🇴 (@tuipulotulai) October 25, 2020

Tevita Mo’Unga – Texas A&M Kingsville

Former BYU defensive lineman Tevita Mo’unga got another crack at college football when he signed to play with Texas A&M Kingsville this past December. Mo’unga played in both of the Javelinas’ two spring games, recording one tackle.

What a blessing! God work MIRACLES! Huge Thank you to @koydii1 for believing in me. Thank you @Coachsalinas12 for giving me another opportunity to chase my dream. Let’s work! 🦍🙏🏾💯 @JavelinaFB @JavelinaNation pic.twitter.com/tzktMEaeC4

— Tevita Mounga (@mounga50) December 18, 2020

The Murrieta, California native returns to Texas A&M Kingsville for another season this fall.

Mo’unga played three years at BYU, recording 26 tackles in 23 game appearances.

Chinonso Opara – Weber State

Originally signed with BYU out of Juan Diego High, Opara ended up at Weber State. He switched from the defensive line to the offensive line and has yet to appear in a game at Weber State. Opara is a sophomore with the Wildcats in 2021. To get ready for the season, he was training with former BYU offensive lineman Tuni Kanuch.

Lisala Tai – Snow College

Tai signed with BYU as a defensive line/offensive line prospect out of Hawthorne, California, in 2016. After delaying his mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Tai then served a mission and enrolled at Snow College after the conclusion of his mission.

Tai is listed as an offensive lineman for Snow.

Kody Wilstead – Dixie State

.@DixieState_FB wins their FCS debut against Tarleton State 26-14. Kody Wilstead passed for 350 yards and the defense forced 5 turnovers. @DixieAthletics @kslsports pic.twitter.com/5mBxiAPMuk

— Jeremiah Jensen (@JJSportsBeat) February 27, 2021

Wilstead has carved out a nice career with Dixie State after being one of the QBs that ultimately left BYU after the rise of Zach Wilson. The St. George native will lead Dixie State as their starting QB this year in their first season as members of the revived Western Athletic Conference football league.

Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for sports.ksl.com and host of the Cougar Tracks Podcast (SUBSCRIBE) and Cougar Sports Saturday (Saturday from 12-3 pm) on KSL Newsradio. Follow him on Twitter: @Mitch_Harper.

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