Kalani Sitake Previews BYU Football Spring Practices For 2025 Season

PROVO, Utah – BYU football is ready to kick off spring practice for the 2025 season.

Springball has been under the college football microscope in recent weeks. Will the era of 15 practices in the spring, capped off by an intrasquad game, come to an end in the upcoming revenue-sharing era?

There have been discussions about an NFL-style offseason with organized team activities, commonly known as “OTAs.”

Nebraska, Texas, and USC are some of the notable programs around the country that have decided to cancel their spring scrimmages.

BYU football spring practices in 2025 will conclude on March 29

BYU football has a February 27 kickoff to practices and a closing date of March 29. There will be an Alumni Game on March 28 that will be open to fans at LaVell Edwards Stadium.

SAVE THE DATE COUGAR NATION. pic.twitter.com/wdS0r53Iwd

— BYU FOOTBALL (@BYUfootball) January 29, 2025

Since 2019, BYU has only had two spring games. Kalani Sitake’s teams typically use the 15th session to get one extra practice in.

So Sitake isn’t surprised that coaches are ditching spring games.

“I think a lot of coaches are worried about the transfer portal happening again,” Kalani Sitake said to KSL Sports. “We’re going to see a shift in the rosters.”

The spring transfer portal window opens on April 16 through April 25. Sitake acknowledges that there will be cuts on BYU’s roster after spring practices conclude.

Knowing that cuts will occur as they prepare for the 105-man roster limits in the fall. Spring practices should provide a lot of competition.

That’s what BYU’s 10th-year headman ultimately wants to see during the 15 practices for his team.

“Let’s just focus on the fundamentals, and let’s focus on competition. We have a lot of competition,” Sitake said.

“The starters that we think are going to start for us, they’ve got a bunch of hungry guys behind them. They’re friends, they’re brothers, they love each other. But you think someone’s just going to let you take that spot? That’s what I love about this competition. The coaches are creating this environment where competitiveness is going to take precedence over everything. If we can compete at our best with each other, everyone becomes better because of it.”

The backup QB spot will be an intriguing position battle

Some of the most intriguing battles in spring ball are at the backup QB spot between Treyson Bourguet and McCae Hillstead.

BYU didn’t add a quarterback during the winter transfer portal period. Behind Jake Retzlaff is Bourguet, who was previously at Western Michigan and has been at BYU for an entire year, and former Utah State QB Hillstead, preparing for his first spring in Provo.

Both quarterbacks have earned praise from offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick.

“McCae Hillstead and Treyson Bourguet are both good players. Those guys have improved a lot. … I have confidence in both of them,” said Roderick.

Tight end looks like a spot set up for Utah transfer Carsen Ryan to step in as the immediate starter. But who pushes him to cement that spot? Veteran Ethan Erickson returns. After returning from a Latter-day Saint mission last year, redshirt freshman Noah Moeaki will go through his first spring session with the program. BYU also has true freshman Tucker Kelleher in the mix at tight end for spring practices.

The offensive line will be an area to watch as BYU looks to replace offensive tackles Caleb Etienne and Brayden Keim. BYU offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick has stated that former Colorado transfer Isaiah Jatta will be a starter at tackle. The other spot is up for grabs. Michigan transfer Andrew Gentry is still recovering from a lisfranc injury he suffered last fall.

Austin Leausa is a versatile lineman who showed he can play at tackle or guard last season. He should be in the mix to contend for an opportunity at tackle. Then there are intriguing true freshmen Andrew Williams from Missouri and Ethan Thomason out of Colorado. Williams signed with BYU last December, while Thomason is a returned missionary.

BYU football position battles on defense to monitor in spring

On defense, there will be a lot of attention given to the defensive line. BYU looks to replace Tyler Batty, Blake Mangelson, and John Nelson. One player you can lock into the starting lineup is Utah defensive tackle transfer Keanu Tanuvasa.

BYU football also returns outside edge rusher Logan Lutui, who received an extra year of eligibility from the NCAA with a medical redshirt stemming from injuries.

Sophomore Ephraim Asiata has taken a step forward in winter conditioning and will be a player to watch in spring practices off the edge. Along with heralded newcomers Tausili Akana from Texas and former Utah signee Hunter Clegg.

BYU’s cornerback spot was boosted, with Mory Bamba receiving a medical redshirt year from the NCAA. Bamba will likely be a favorite for the top cornerback spot. However, the Cougars have intriguing young prospects in the secondary who appear ready to step into a spotlight role, including Therrian Alexander, Evan Johnson, and Jonathan Kabeya.

Finding players to help win games

Whoever shows flashes of their ability, Sitake isn’t shy about giving those players opportunities for snaps in the fall.

“Now, if we have a huge number of players that can actually help us win, then let’s create the packages that we can get them on the field, so we can find ways to get stops on defense and turnovers. Just create chaos all over,” Sitake said. “Then, on offense, let’s get some big plays and get some points on the board.”

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.

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