Tanner Wall A ‘Captain And Leader’ For BYU Cougars

SALT LAKE CITY – Safety Tanner Wall is expected to be a key voice and performer for the BYU Cougars during the 2025 college football season.

Wall is preparing for his redshirt senior season as a Captain in defensive coordinator Jay Hill’s defense.

“One of the best leaders on our team,” Cougar head coach Kalani Sitake said when asked about what Wall brings to the team. “Seeing his rise and belief in himself from a walk-on receiver to now a captain and a leader of our team and our defense.”

Sitake continued, “His instincts and his ability to find the ball and to make tackles as a true eraser in our defense is something special. But it’s also his leadership and his ability to connect with his teammates on so many levels. He’s a tactical guy. He’s always thinking of strategy, schemes, and ways to improve his technique. He combined that with his ability to be physical and hit. Big plays happen when he’s around and he’s on the field.”

Wall has played 31 games over four years in Provo, including 16 starts in the past two seasons. He has 76 tackles and three interceptions with BYU.

About BYU’s Tanner Wall

Originally from Arlington, Virginia, Tanner Wall came to BYU after earning the 6A Liberty Conference Player of the Year at Yorktown High School.

The two-way star totalled  55 receptions for 857 yards and 17 touchdowns as a senior, finishing with 1,650 all-purpose yards.

He added 131 tackles, nine tackles for a loss, two INTs, and eight pass breakups.

RELATED: Tanner Wall INT Leads To LJ Martin House Call For BYU – KSL Sports

Following a church mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Maceio, Brazil, Wall joined the Cougars before the 2021 season. A former preferred walk-on wide receiver, his Cougar career didn’t take off until Wall switched to defense in 2023, where he has thrived at the safety position.

“It really has been a dream, something that I’ve hoped and longed for my whole life,”

BYU Safety Tanner Wall on his journey with BYU football.

Wall started out as a walk on WR five years ago, and is now a team captain as a safety. pic.twitter.com/ciislZfAH4

— Daily Universe Sports (@DailyUnivSports) February 28, 2025

He played five games, starting three, in 2023. Wall registered 22 tackles while offering a glimpse of his potential.

Wall started in all 13 games at safety as part of a 2024 BYU defense that finished as the top defense in the Big 12. College Football Network named him to the All-Big 12 Third Team.

Wall had three interceptions this past season and was a co-leader in picks on BYU’s defense. He had a career-high 53 tackles and one pass deflection, along with his three interceptions.

Tanner Wall is down at the one.#CollegeFootball #BYUpic.twitter.com/NQaMSSt6sf

— Pick 6 Pack (@Pick6PackFB) October 19, 2024

He also became the first BYU player since running back Bryan Kariya in 2010 to receive Academic All-American.

Wall’s Uncle, J.R. Thulin, was a BYU offensive lineman in 2002 and 2003. His Aunt, Brooke Thulin, played soccer for the Cougars in 2002-03 and 2005.

What is the 60 in 60?

Hans and Scotty highlight college football players in the state of Utah with their annual 60 in 60 watchlist.

Check back after the 2025 College Football season to see the final 60 in 60 list.

Are you on Threads yet? Let’s connect; follow us at @kslsports.

Subscribe to the Hans & Scotty G. podcast for college football coverage and more. You can follow Hans and Scotty on X here.

Take us with you wherever you go.

Download the new & improved KSL Sports app from Utah’s sports leader. You can stream live radio and video and stay updated on all your favorite teams.

Follow @bpreece24