Six true BYU freshmen who could see more playing time in the back half of the schedule

BYU is 6-0 and has received plenty of contributions from true freshmen. Today we’re highlighting six true freshmen who could see more playing time in the second half of the regular season.

Viliami Po’uha had a major impact on BYU’s victory over Arizona despite only playing 18 games. Po’uha pressured Arizona quarterback Noah Fifita for his first interception. The pressure did not allow Fifita to make the throw, resulting in an underthrow that Tanner Wall intercepted. Po’uha, who returned from his mission last year, beat his man inside and hit Fifita as he threw the pass. Viliami Po’uha is the son of BYU defensive line coach Sione Po’uha.

Po’uha played a career-best 18 snaps against Arizona and finished the game with two quarterback pressures, two tackles and a defensive stop. A stop is a tackle that represents a failure of the offense.

Po’uha had played just 16 snaps this season before the game against Arizona. By playing 18 snaps against the Wildcats, he more than doubled his career reps. Po’uha already has the size to help, at 6-foot-1 and 260 pounds. If Saturday is any indication, it appears Po’uha is learning the playbook and executing his duties well enough to warrant more playing time.

Sione Moa started this season as the fifth running back. After injuries decimated the running back position in September, Moa was given the starting job against Kansas State. He made the most of his opportunities in this game and finished the game with 76 yards on 15 carries and a touchdown.

LJ Martin is BYU’s best running back. The substitute position was held by Hinckley Ropati, but there could be an opportunity for Moa to take some of that deputization once he returns from injury this week.

Ryner Swanson played sparingly in 2024. He has five receptions for 33 yards this year. Swanson is one of the most talented players on the roster, he just needs some time to develop as a blocker. If he can improve a bit in that area and become more familiar with the playbook, he could get more reps and more targets in the second half of the 2024 season.

Pokaiuaa Haunga is another running back who has played while LJ Martin and Hinckley Ropati get healthy. He has only 12 carries this season but is averaging 4.7 yards per carry for a total of 56 yards. He also has 4 receptions for 44 yards. Haunga is an exceptional wide receiver in the backfield. Even with a healthy Martin and Ropati, we believe Haunga could grow into a role as a receiver out of the backcourt. He was used in this role in games against Kansas State and Arizona. Haunga has the ability to move outside and become a mismatch against linebacker.

BYU is currently getting a lot of production from safeties Tanner Wall and Crew Wakley. While it may seem like these two are firmly entrenched in the starting lineup, the BYU team has had a lot of young players play in games this season. Faletau Satuala, Utah State’s top prospect in the 2024 class, has played safety for BYU this season. Satuala played 60 snaps, including a few crucial ones against Kansas State.

If Satuala can become more familiar with the playbook, he will be too talented to stay off the field. We believe he is a candidate to get more playing time in the back half of the schedule. He

Cody Hagen has officially played in too many games to redshirt this season. It feels like Hagen is another injury to the wide receivers when it comes to getting consistent playing time. Hagen was one of the most decorated wide receivers and sprinters from the state of Utah. Hagen could also bring a new strength to the BYU offense: the speed with which he consistently gets behind the defense. Hagen will continue to play a role on special teams, but we believe he could develop into a role on offense as well.