Next Fred Warner? Chaz Ah You Stepping Up For BYU At Linebacker

PROVO, Utah – BYU will forever have a rich and storied history of producing great quarterbacks. But in the last 15 years, BYU’s linebackers have been some of the players the program has produced.

Kyle Van Noy, Fred Warner, and Sione Takitaki all flourished over the past five seasons at BYU as linebackers. All of which are now making a nice living in the NFL and were highly sought after draft picks.

Ilaisa Tuiaki on Chaz Ah You: "I think he's a linebacker. He's playing exactly where Fred (Warner) played which is a hybrid linebacker & safety spot." #BYU

— Mitch Harper KSL (@Mitch_Harper) October 7, 2019

After losing Takitaki to the NFL Draft this past spring, there were questions as to who could be the next great linebacker for the Cougars.

Now those questions are starting to shape into answers through five weeks of the 2019 season and all eyes are on sophomore outside linebacker Chaz Ah You.

But the former four-star recruit would tell you, he’s got a lot of room to still grow as a player.

“I feel like I’ve been doing good. I need to take more advantage of the opportunities that I’m given though,” said Ah You. “I’ve left a lot of plays out there on the field but as far as making the plays that I’m expected to make, I feel like I’ve been stepping up to that plate.”

New #CougarTracks podcast features #BYU LB Chaz Ah You today. Ah You is gaining more confidence with each game that passes. https://t.co/AdPvaC53Fn pic.twitter.com/s1WliHuJhQ

— Mitch Harper KSL (@Mitch_Harper) October 10, 2019

The plate that Ah You has stepped up to is a big one. BYU Defensive Coordinator Ilaisa Tuiaki has asked Ah You to hold down the flash linebacker spot in BYU’s scheme. Which was the same role Fred Warner flourished in during his two seasons under Tuiaki.

“Chaz has done a really good job just overall,” said Tuiaki. “I think the physicality of his game has been good. The mental aspect of his game has definitely been improving and I think that’s been making him a better player as well. Physically stronger and bigger than he’s been in the past, so that’s always good.”

When Ah You signed with BYU as part of the 2017 recruiting class, head coach Kalani Sitake called the addition of Ah You, a former Timpview High graduate, a “big-time commitment.”

The list of offers that Ah You had out of high school warranted the “big-time” label.  Washington, UCLA, Notre Dame, Michigan, and dozens upon dozens of other heralded programs were knocking on the doors of the Ah You family constantly. But he stayed close to home to be near family.

INCREDIBLE play by Ah You won’t be remembered with the ensuing INT. Ah You continues to get better and make plays in multiple areas on defense. Excited about this kids potential.

— Cameron Jensen (@cjenser33) September 28, 2019

Ah You’s father, Jasen, is the Support Services Coordinator organizing events such as BYU’s Pro Day each and every year.

“It’s awesome,” Chaz said on having his dad work on the staff. “I get extra coaching every day. I have an uncle who’s a coach as well – Matty Ah You (analyst) –  and so we’re able to go break down film. It’s really helped me out a ton.”

Through five games this season, Ah You has recorded 16 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, one sack, one forced fumble, and a fumble recovery. Ah You’s production comes in a season where he is less than a year removed from being back home after serving a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

But stats aside, Ah You and his teammates just want to start winning ball games again.

“We’re all hungry,” said Ah You. “Having to sit with that game for two weeks, didn’t sit right at all. We’ve had a lot of fire and a lot of competition. We can’t wait to get to Florida and do our thing out there.”

Ah You’s thing for BYU’s defense is being a playmaker and he continues to take on that role with each passing week.

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