Projecting BYU Football’s Post-Spring 2025 Depth Chart: Offense
Apr 3, 2025, 2:43 PM
PROVO, Utah – BYU football is looking to take a step forward with the offense in 2025.
Last season, the Cougars won 11 games despite having an offense that was middle of the pack in the Big 12 and nationally.
BYU averaged 31.2 points per game (40th nationally) and 392.3 yards per game (59th).
While the final win-loss record was a success, there is still room for growth in BYU’s offense.
“There’s nobody in our program that’s going to feel like we’ve arrived or anything like that,” said BYU offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick. “We’re going to keep working really hard throughout this spring and summer.”
BYU football offensive depth chart projection for the 2025 season
BYU wrapped up spring practices last week. It’s a perfect time to forecast what the depth chart could look like for the fall.
Keep in mind, in this projected depth chart, you’re not going to see any “ORs.” I’m calling my shot on the three-deep exiting spring ball, and as we inch closer to the season opener against Portland State on August 30.
Quarterback
Jake Retzlaff
McCae Hillstead
Treyson Bourguet
There’s no debate at the top of BYU’s quarterback unit entering the 2025 season. Jake Retzlaff prepares for his third season with the program. The big question at QB resides in the backup quarterback spot.
BYU only carried three quarterbacks during spring practice. Utah State transfer McCae Hillstead and Western Michigan transfer Treyson Bourguet split the second-team quarterback reps in spring.
I’m giving Hillstead the nod because he has a big arm and can make plays with his feet. Hillstead’s play during the media observation portions of spring practices did not make it clear that he’s the No. 2 quarterback. The battle is going to continue into fall camp. However, Hillstead’s skill set fits with what offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick has typically had success with at QB.
Bourguet’s arm strength is underrated. During observation periods in spring, he showed his deep passing ability occasionally.
Running Back
LJ Martin
Sione Moa
Pokaiaua Haunga
BYU’s running backs are underrated entering the 2025 season.
LJ Martin is going to be the leader of the group.
Martin has been BYU’s leading rusher for the past two seasons. He had a breakout performance that probably put him on the radar of national pundits in the Alamo Bowl win over Colorado, where he earned Offensive MVP honors. He rushed for 88 yards, hauled in 33 receiving yards, and found the endzone twice.
In a league like the Big 12 that prides itself on running back play, Martin has the potential to be one of the best in the league this fall.
The good news for BYU is that they have options behind Martin.
Sione Moa is primed for a more prominent role this season. Moa shined in the upset win over Kansas State last September, but then he dealt with injuries that limited his availability.
He’s a tough runner and is positioned to be the next in line after Martin.
For the third-string spot, I’m giving the nod to Pokaiaua Haunga. The versatile ball carrier showed flashes of his ability in BYU’s offense for the second consecutive spring.
Haunga’s ability to catch passes out of the backfield makes him an intriguing candidate. BYU also has Enoch Nawhine competing for snaps.
Wide Receiver
Chase Roberts* / Jojo Phillips / Keelan Marion
Tei Nacua / Cody Hagen* / Parker Kingston
Marquis Taliulu / Dominique McKenzie / LaMason Waller III
*Sidelined during spring practice
Two candidates for the most improved player at BYU this season are wide receivers Keelan Marion and Jojo Phillips.
Marion’s increased workload on offense began near the end of last year. He finished last season with 45 touches (24 receiving, 21 rushing). Don’t be surprised to see him blow past that number this year. He will be a top weapon in BYU’s offense in 2025.
Redshirt sophomore Jojo Phillips took a leap last season in his development. There’s an expectation for another big jump this fall. During a media observation period in spring, Phillips dropped a pass, which needs to be tightened up. However, coaches trust him. He’s playing much faster this season with his playbook knowledge.
BYU was without leading receiver Chase Roberts during the spring. Roberts is recovering from a shoulder injury that he suffered in the Alamo Bowl. The expectation is that he will be ready by fall camp.
Roberts will be the number one target for Retzlaff this season.
BYU brings back Parker Kingston, who has a wealth of experience as he enters his fourth year in the program.
Tei Nacua had a big spring as he prepares for his second year, while Cody Hagen recovers from an injury.
There’s a drop-off after the top six. But if the two-deep stays healthy, BYU’s receivers could be a highly productive group this season.
Tight End
Carsen Ryan
Noah Moeaki
Tucker Kelleher
The starting tight end is pretty straightforward: Utah transfer Carsen Ryan.
Ryan gives BYU the hope of making the tight end unit a weapon again in the passing game.
He stepped in and immediately became the top guy at the position during spring practices.
After Ryan, there are still questions about how the depth chart will unfold.
Redshirt freshman Noah Moeaki earned first-team snaps during media observation windows in the spring. The former three-star prospect out of American Fork High School went through his first spring at BYU. He’s an athletic prospect who has put on weight since returning home from serving a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints last spring.
After Ryan and Moeaki, I will give the nod to true freshman Tucker Kelleher. He’s a good blocker for being a guy who is only four months removed from being in high school.
After Ryan, the pecking order at tight end remains up for grabs in fall camp.
Offensive Line
Isaiah Jatta (LT) / Weylin Lapuaho (LG)* / Bruce Mitchell (C) / Kyle Sfarcioc (RG) / Austin Leausa (RT)
Andrew Gentry* / Sonny Makasini / Trevor Pay / Ikinasio Tupou / Andrew Williams
Ethan Thomason / Joe Brown* / Justice Ena / Sione Hingano / Kaden Chidester
*Sidelined during spring practice
In January, we slotted Isaiah Jatta at left tackle in our “Way-Too-Early” projected starting lineup for the 2025 season. He lived up to that spot during spring ball, taking every first-team snap at the left tackle position during media windows.
BYU offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick noted at the end of spring ball that Jatta would be the starter at that spot.
After Jatta, another lock to start on the offensive line is Weylin Lapuaho.
Lapuaho has two years of starting experience under his belt, and despite being sidelined with an elbow injury in the spring, he will anchor one of the starting five spots. He’s been cross-trained to play anywhere on the line, but he’s best served at the left guard position, where he’s been one of BYU’s top players along the offensive line the past two years.
During the spring, Lapuaho took on a more vocal leadership role within the program.
The rest of the offensive line is up for grabs.
Bruce Mitchell should be a lock at the center position, but he can also play guard. BYU’s other options at center include Sonny Makasini, Trevor Pay, and Justice Ena. Mitchell has a lot of game snaps from a year ago that give him the edge. He was also with the first team offensive line at center throughout the spring.
On the right side of the offensive line, we’re going with former Southern Utah transfers Austin Leausa at right tackle and Kyle Sfarcioc at right guard.
Leausa earned the start at right tackle in the Alamo Bowl win over Colorado. Then Kyle Sfarcioc was a regular with the first team offensive line in the media windows.
Michigan transfer Andrew Gentry did not take snaps during spring ball as he continues to work his way back from a lower-body injury he suffered last season with the Wolverines.
He will likely be given a chance to compete for the right tackle spot with Leausa as they look to put together the starting five for next season. But Gentry can play either spot, so we have him as the backup to Jatta at left tackle right now.
Staying at offensive tackle, a pair of true freshmen impressed during spring in Andrew Williams and Ethan Thomason. Both players have bright futures ahead in their BYU careers.
Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for KSLsports.com and hosts the Cougar Tracks Podcast (SUBSCRIBE) and Cougar Sports Saturday (12–3 p.m.) on KSL Newsradio. Follow Mitch’s coverage of BYU in the Big 12 Conference on X: @Mitch_Harper.
