This season has been far better than most of us could have dreamed. Leading the charge has been a revamped Defense that has, among other things:
a) Given up only 98 points through six games.
b) Leads the nation in Defensive Pass Efficiency.
c) Held opponents to 3.7 Yards per rushing attempt.
d) Recorded 11 QB sacks, matching 2023 season total.
e) Left pretty much every QB we have faced battered and bruised.
This only two years after what was a Defensive disaster leading to the DC leaving.

What makes this transformation so astounding is that it has been almost entirely built upon the backs of a group of players
who nobody wanted when they came out of college. These are 247 ratings for our primary D players (apologies to anyone I have missed):
90: Taggart
83: Harper
82: Glasker, Bagnah
81: Johnson
80: Robinson, Nelson, Batty
76: Wakely
Cannot find ratings but would have to be very low: Mangelson, Wall
Transfers from Weber, again could not be highly rated: Kelly, Collins, Lutui
JC: Bamba

Is there any P4 program achieving results like this with a similar group. Other than Taggart most P4 schools would
not have offered any of our key D players.

Why it can get much better going forward:
a) Jay Hill knows what he is doing.
b) Recruiting should continue to improve. BYU has been at a tremendous competitive disadvantage as a result of
independence. The days of wandering in the wilderness have mercifully come to an end. We will have greatly
enhanced financial resources going forward. And we are now part of the big boys club.
c) NIL. I don't think we have seen any effects here to date. But basketball has shown us what is possible. There
is tremendous potential that has been untapped. I am confident that the wheels are in motion here.
d) Transfer Portal. BYU is well positioned here. It has been proven that many kids want to play for us who might
have been underdeveloped or overlooked coming out of HS. Once they prove to be better than expected BYU can
get them to their dream school. One only has to review how well we have done here over the past three years
to understand this.
e) Hill is running a D that can be sold to recruits. HS kids want to play where they can be aggressive, make big hits,
etc. This D will provide plenty of opportunities in this regard.
f) There is already enhanced young talent on the roster. Hill has done a great job of getting Moa, Po'uha, Alexander,
Damuni, Prassas, Kebeya, etc a lot of snaps through the season. These players have shown that they are capable
of providing the backbone of a solid D for the next 3-4 years.
g) Our primary rival who has taken many recruits from us is likely to struggle to some extent going forward. I doubt
Kyle coaches past 2025. Scalley will be in a tough position. It is difficult to follow the coach who had the success
that Kyle has had.
h) The BOT must obviously be on board with turning BYU into a sports power. TBH I never thought I would see this
happen. The path of the athletic program since joining the Big12 has been refreshing for Cougar fans. My best guess
here is that some well placed people have made convincing arguments that BYU athletics have the potential to be
a powerful missionary tool.

I think the future for BYU athletics in general has never been this bright. We have excellent coaches across the board.
There are very few straggling programs at present.

Go D!!
GO COUGARS!!!