10 BYU Players Primed for Breakout Seasons in 2023

The 2023 season is quietly inching closer. Last week, the Big 12 hosted its annual media days. For the first time, BYU participated in advance of its first Big 12 season. Fall camp is just a few days away, so today we'll talk about 10 BYU football players that are primed for a breakout season in 2023.

First, let's talk about the definition of a breakout season: it's subjective. A breakout season could be defined as a player that goes from a former backup to a starter. It could also be a returning starter that starts garnering national attention. There’s varying degrees of breakout seasons. Without further ado, here are 10 BYU players primed for breakout seasons in 2023.

10. Weylin Lapuaho - OL

Credit: BYU Photo

We'll start off our list with a transfer from Utah State. Offensive lineman Weylin Lapuaho is a really strong candidate to win the last remaining starting spot along BYU's offensive line. Lapuaho started 13 games for the Aggies last season as a true freshman. He joins a deep offensive line room in Provo for his sophomore season. Lapuaho transferred to BYU in time for Spring camp.

Lapuaho will compete for the starting job during Fall camp against talented players like Ian Fitzgerald and Tyler Little. We think Lapuaho has the kind of ability to go from fringe starter today to clear-cut starter a year from now. BYU will lose multiple offensive lineman to graduation and the NFL next season, so Lapuaho has a chance to become a leader in the room for years to come. 

9. Keelan Marion - WR

The second transfer on our list, UConn transfer Keelan Marion did what very few receivers do at the FBS level: he led his team in receiving as a freshman in 2021. He racked up 474 yards on 28 catches including 5 touchdowns. Those numbers are more impressive in context - UConn struggled to find consistent production at quarterback that season. The Huskies played five different quarterbacks and threw for less than 2,000 yards. In total, Marion accounted for 24% of UConn's receiving production that season. For context, Puka Nacua led the Cougars in receiving in 2022 and he accounted for 19% of BYU's receiving production.

He missed most of the 2022 season due to an injury that he suffered against Utah State in the season opener.

We believe Marion will emerge as a weapon in BYU's offense in 2023 and could even push the top three in the rotation. Returning players like Kody Epps, Keanu Hill, and Chase Roberts will be fixtures in the rotation. That hasn't changed since the end of last season. However, BYU's offense likes to rotate 4-6 receivers, so there's a path to immediate playing time if Marion can digest the playbook and gel with Kedon Slovis. He will compete against much better competition at BYU than he did at UConn, but we believe Marion's ability to both get open in tight spaces and make contested catches will translate to the P5 level. 

8. Atunaisa Mahe - DL

Veteran Atunaisa Mahe has been a fixture along BYU's defensive line dating back to 2019. Mahe is a candidate to have a breakout year as a senior thanks to a new defensive staff and new defensive scheme that will maximize his skillset. In his BYU career, Mahe has played in 33 games, tallying 61 total tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss and 3 sacks.

Mahe was consistently mentioned as a standout in Spring practices. In the opinion of this author, Mahe will be one of two starters along the interior defensive line. Mahe is not big for an interior defensive lineman at only 6'1, but he is quick and creative at the line of scrimmage. In a defensive that won't just ask lineman to eat blocks anymore, Mahe has the potential to shine.

7. Chase Roberts - WR

The second wide receiver on our list, Chase Roberts looked like the wide receiver of the future after a standout performance against Baylor in 2022. Roberts led all receivers with 122 receiving yards on 8 receptions, including a toe-tap touchdown at the end of the first half.

Roberts battled injuries in early October that restricted his production. With a clean bill of health and a budding connection with Kedon Slovis that was developing during Spring, Roberts is a candidate to have a breakout sophomore campaign in 2023. 

6. Micah Harper - DB

You could argue that Micah Harper had a breakout season in 2022, and you'd probably be right. After starting the season as a backup to Ammon Hanneman, Harper took over the starting job where he started the last nine games in 2022. Harper made an immediate impact, totaling 62 tackles and 2.5 tackles for loss. He also forced a pair of fumbles last year.

Harper returns as a starter in 2022. In a new defense and a new scheme, we expect Harper to take another step forward and become a leader of the BYU defense.

5. Kody Epps - WR

Fresh off his appearance at Big 12 Media Days, Kody Epps goes into the 2023 season as an undisputed starter. There was a three-game stretch in 2022 where Epps elevated his game and looked like BYU's next great wide receiver. The three-game stretch included games against Utah State, Notre Dame, and Arkansas. In those three games, Epps tallied 311 receiving yards and 4 touchdowns. The game against Arkansas was his last full game of the season.

Epps has the ability to lead BYU in receiving yards and receiving touchdowns if he can stay healthy. Epps was leading BYU in receiving last year before he suffered a season-ending injury at Liberty.

 You can check out his 2022 highlights below.

4. Jakob Robinson - DB

Jakob Robinson has quietly become one of the most important players on BYU's defense. Robinson came to BYU after transferring from Utah State in 2021. In his first year in Provo, Robinson appeared in 12 games and he tied for the team lead in interceptions with three. In 2022, Robinson finished with 51 tackles, 5 PBUs, and a game-winning stop against SMU in the bowl game.

In the Spring game, Robinson intercepted a Kedon Slovis pass and he had another interception in the 7v7 period. Robinson is undersized, but he is one of the best athletes on the team and one of the best tacklers in space. Robinson started five games in 2022. We expect him to become a full-time starter and a key member of BYU's secondary.

3. Eddie Heckard - DB

Credit: BYU Photo

Speaking of defensive backs, Weber State transfer Eddie Heckard has the opportunity to elevate his NFL Draft stock in 2023. Heckard opted to return to college football for one more season to showcase his skills against P5 competition. Like Robinson, Heckard will start and he will be tasked with shutting down some of the best Big 12 wide receivers. 

Heckard is also one of the most experienced players on the roster, and most notably he has experience in Jay Hill's defense. If you're a BYU fan, familiarize yourself with no. 5 on defense.

2. Tyler Batty - DL

Defensive end Tyler Batty has been a starter for a few years now. He's also been a leader of the defense for over a year. So what will make 2023 a breakout season? We believe Tyler Batty's production will see a material uptick in Jay Hill's scheme. Batty's skillset is a perfect fit for a 4-3 scheme that needs the defensive ends to get after the quarterback. 

Batty tallied four sacks as a freshman, a personal best. Don't be surprised to see him set a new career best in 2023.

1. Kingsley Suamataia

Credit: BYU Photo

After transferring from Oregon last year, Kingsley Suamataia started 12 games at right tackle. With Blake Freeland off to the NFL, Suamataia will slide over to the left tackle spot where he is projected to start. Suamataia is receiving first-round NFL Draft buzz and for good reason. He has the size, athleticism, and physicality of an NFL tackle.

Suamataia could be an all-conference selection by season's end, and he could wind up being one of the top tackle prospects in the 2024 NFL Draft. We expect 2023 to be a breakout campaign for the former Orem native.

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