Early Projections For BYU's 2022 Depth Chart - Sports Illustrated

Wednesday was a busy day for the BYU football program. The Cougars welcomed two PAC-12 transfers in Christopher Brooks and Houston Heimuli into the program. They also announced six previously signed mid-year enrollees, and they lost wide receiver Chris Jackson to the transfer portal. That wasn't all, veteran wide receiver Gunner Romney announced that he would return to BYU for one final season.

After Wednesday, BYU's 2022 roster began to take shape. Today, we take a way-too-early look at BYU's 2022 depth chart.

Quarterback

1. Jaren Hall
2. Jacob Conover

Jaren Hall will be BYU's undisputed starting quarterback for the 2022 season. Multi-year backup Baylor Romney announced after Christmas that he was moving on from the program, sliding Jacob Conover into the backup quarterback role.

Running Back

1. Christopher Brooks2. Lopini Katoa OR Miles Davis OR Jackson McChesney OR Hinckley Ropati

Last week, star running back Tyler Allgeier declared for the NFL Draft leaving the starting running back job up for grabs. It took BYU only a few weeks to find a potential replacement in the transfer portal in Cal transfer Christopher Brooks.

BYU typically operates under one philosophy when it recruits from the transfer portal: only bring in players that can contribute right away. So far, that has been true for players like Ty'Son Williams, Puka Nacua, Samson Nacua, and Kaleb Hayes among others. Therefore, the coaching staff wouldn't have pushed for Christopher Brooks unless they felt like he could push for the starting job right away.

Long-time contributor and veteran Lopini Katoa will be in the mix. Miles Davis, a speedy youngster out of Las Vegas, was making waves in Fall camp before he suffered an injury that limited his 2021 availability. Jackson McChensey has performed well in limited opportunities - he suffered an injury in 2020 that kept him out for that season and part of the 2021 season. Then there is Hinckley Ropati who sufered an ACL injury during his first Fall camp with BYU. 

Wide Receiver

1. Gunner Romney
2. Chase Roberts

1. Keanu Hill
2. Kody Epps

1. Puka Nacua
2. Hobbs Nyberg OR Brayden Cosper

2021 starters Samson Nacua and Neil Pau'u will test the NFL waters this Spring leaving two vacant roles. Both Gunner Romney and Puka Nacua will return to their starting roles next season. Keanu Hill looks like a player that could slide into the third starting spot. However, BYU has multiple talented wide receivers that could become household names next season. Among them are highly-touted recruits Chase Roberts and Kody Epps. Hobbs Nyberg, Brayden Cosper, and Terence Fall are also names to watch.

Tight End

1. Isaac Rex
2. Dallin Holker

Fullback

1. Masen Wake OR Houston Heimuli

Isaac Rex suffered an ankle injury against USC. Assuming he is healthy, he will assume his starting role. I expect both Masen Wake and Houston Heimuli to find important roles in BYU's offense next season.

Offensive Line

Left Tackle1. Blake Freeland2. Brayden Keim

Left Guard1. Clark Barrington2. Seth Willis

Center1. Connor Pay2. Joe Tukuafu

Right Guard1. Joe Tukuafu2. Campbell Barrington

Right Tackle1. Harris LaChance OR Kingsley Suamataia

BYU returns most of its offensive line production in 2022 - veteran offensive lineman Joe Tukuafu announced that he will return to BYU for one more season. BYU also adds former five-star recruit Kingsley Suamataia into the mix.  Suamataia will immediately compete for a starting tackle spot. BYU's offensive line is arguably the strongest position group heading into next season.

Defensive Backs

Left Cornerback1. D'Angelo Mandell OR Keenan Ellis2. Shamon Willis

Strong Safety1. Jakob Robinson2. Ammon Hannemann3. Javelle Brown

Free Safety1. Malik Moore2. Hayden Livingston

Right Cornerback1. Kaleb Hayes2. Isaiah Herron

Frodo1. George Udo2. Caleb Christensen

Nickel1. Micah Harper3. Jacob Boren

In addition to returning nearly all of its 2021 production, the BYU defensive backfield will welcome back multiple contributors back from injury. Keenan Ellis missed the entire season after leaving the Arizona game with an injury. 2020 freshman standout Micah Harper also missed the entire season after suffering an injury during spring ball. Both players are capable of competing for starting jobs next season.

Linebackers

Jack1. Pepe Tanuvasa2. Logan Fano

Mike

1. Keenan Pili2. Ben Bywater

Rover1. Max Tooley OR Ben Bywater2. Josh Wilson

Cinco1. Chaz Ah You2. George Udo OR Ammon Hannemann

Flash1. Payton Wilgar2. Jackson Kaufusi

BYU's linebackers were decimated by injuries last season. The Cougars lost star linebackers in Payton Wilgar and Keenan Pili to season-ending injuries. In addition, Chaz Ah You moved from safety to linebacker, but he missed several weeks with an injury as well.

Defensive Line

Split End1. Gabe Summers2. Lorenzo Fauataea

Defensive End1. Tyler Batty2. Blake Mangelson OR Aisea Moa

Defensive Tackle1. Earl Tuioti-Mariner2. Gabe Summers3. John Nelson

Nose Tackle1. Atunaisa Mahe2. Caden Haws3. John Nelson

Outside End1. Pepe Tanuvasa2. Logan Fano3. Fisher Jackson

BYU will welcome multiple newcomers to the defensive line. Aisea Moa, Logan Fano, Bruce Mitchell, Brooks Maile, and Victory Vaka to name a few. I expect a few of them to find their way on the depth chart next season.

Specialists

Place Kicker1. Jake Oldroyd2. Justen Smith3. Cash Peterman

Kickoff1. Jake Oldroyd2. Justen Smith OR Cash Peterman

Holder1. Ryan Rehkow2. Hayden Livingston OR Talmage Gunther

Long Snapper - PK1. Britton Hogan OR Austin Riggs

Long Snapper - P1. Austin Riggs OR Britton Hogan

Punter1. Ryan Rehkow2. Cash Peterman

Kick Return

1. Caleb Christensen2. Javelle Brown

Punt Return

1. Hobbs Nyberg2. Talmage Gunther3. Kody Epps