This week on the podcast we broke down the latest BYU Football news including Bowl Game predictions, a change in defensive coordinator and potential starting quarterbacks for the Cougars in 2023.
With the departure of Ilaisa Tuiaki immediately following BYU's win over Stanford, Kalani and the Cougars are facing the challenge of finding a new DC for the first time in the Sitake Era. We looked at the list of potential candidates that includes the following coaches.
- Bronco Mendenhall, Former BYU & UVA Head Coach
Lol JK. No one in their right mind thinks Bronco would come back to BYU to serve as defensive coordinator, right? RIGHT?
- Frank Maile, Boise State AHC and Defensive Line
Maile is an interesting candidate. While he isn't a 'BYU guy', Maile played for Alta High School in Sandy before playing for Utah State where he would later serve as assistant coach and then interim head coach following the firing of Gary Anderson. Maile is now the Assistant Head Coach for Boise State who rank seventh in the country in yards allowed per game and ninth in points allowed per game.
- Kelly Poppinga, Boise State Co-Special Teams and Edge
This is a name of a former BYU player that is being tossed around as a potential DC candidate that we don't hate, actually. Although most members of the Hype Train agreed we'd love to see Poppinga come back to Provo as a position coach and not Coordinator. Kelly does have experience as a DC at the P5 level, however, serving as Co-DC for Virginia under Bronco Mendenhall.
- Derrick Odum, San Jose State DC
The personal favorite candidate of the Hype Train Podcast, Odum has ties to the state of Utah. The former University of Utah player and assistant coach has practically single-handedly turned around the SJSU defense over the last few seasons as the Spartans are one of the top defenses statistically in the country. Anyone who wants to know what Odum would bring to BYU defense, just take a look at the sack totals for SJSU this season and compare it to the 2022 BYU defense.
- Jay Hill, Weber State Head Coach
Jay Hill is a popular name among BYU fans when discussing potential DC replacements and for good reason. Hill has turned Weber State into a powerhouse at the FCS level in recent years. But would he be willing to take a step back in terms of title for a step up in terms of salary? Who knows. But what was once thought to be a reach has suddenly become a bit more realistic in recent days.
There are plenty of other great candidates to consider when talking about replacements to Ilaisa Tuiaki including Shaun Nua at USC, Jason Kaufusi at Arizona and Ikaika Malloe at UCLA.
We also discussed potential starting QBs in 2023 and brought up some of the following quarterbacks either on the roster or that have announced they are entering the transfer portal.
- Jaren Hall, BYU
A long shot as Jaren seems ready to enter his name in the NFL Draft and honestly, he should. Go get your money in the NFL and leave the bumps and bruises of the Big 12 to someone else.
- Jacob Conover, BYU
A lot of Cougar fans are convinced Jacob is the next guy up. But what have we seen from him to make us think that? BYU coaches practically found every reason not to play him this season. We wouldn't be shocked if Conover isn't even on the BYU roster in 2023.
- Ryder Burton, Springville HS
BYU commit Ryder Burton could be the future of the BYU offense. He looked great at Springville High School, and we'd love to see him one day quarterbacking the BYU offense. But not as a freshman in 2023.
- Hudson Card, Texas
A former Top 40 recruit, Card would be the best-case scenario for BYU, in my opinion. He has three years of eligibility left and has experience playing the Big 12. What better option to come in and lead BYU into the Big 12 era than a former top QB from Texas. Plus, he could learn from Roderick and Fesi before talking his talents to the NFL like Zach and Jaren before him. A long shot, but we can dream.
- Cade McNamara, Michigan
While we're on the topic of long shots, why not throw Cade McNamara's name out there? The former Michigan starter led the Wolverines to the College Football Playoff last season before losing his starting job to J.J. McCarthy in 2022. McNamara will have one season of eligibility so just enough time to help BYU be competitive in year one of the Big 12 before a younger QB takes over in 2024.
- Luke Altmyer, Ole Miss
Atlmyer narrowly lost the QB competition at Ole Miss to Utah native Jaxson Dart, who BYU targeted in the transfer portal last season. But now the Cougars could get Dart's backup as Altmyer announced he was entering the transfer portal. Another long shot, sure. But if BYU can put back-to-back QBs in the NFL under the coaching of Roderick and Fesi, that certainly helps in recruiting pitches to guys like Altmyer.
Those are just our favorites. Other potential targets include...
Hank Bachmeier, Boise State
Deacon Hill, Wisconsin
Connor Bazelak, Indiana
Jeff Sims, Georgia Tech
Brett Gabbert, Miami Ohio
Will Haskell, San Diego State
Davis Brin, Tulsa
Brendon Lewis, Colorado
Malik Hornsby, Arkansas
Kyron Drones, Baylor
For a more in-depth look at potential QBs that BYU could go after in the portal, and for our dream defensive coaching staff, tune into the latest episode of the Hype Train Podcast!
Also, the Hype Train has officially sold out and welcomed our first partner to the podcast, Woodn Grail! We're not kidding when we say these are the best BYU hats on the market and now you can get them for 10% using the code HYPETRAIN10 at checkout!
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