12 BYU Players Named to Preseason All-Big 12 Teams by Preview Magazines

The college football season is fast approaching. Some of the first college football national preview magazines have been released to the public, and multiple

The college football season is fast approaching. Some of the first college football national preview magazines have been released to the public, and multiple BYU players have been named to preseason All-Big 12 teams. Between Athlon Sports and Phil Steele, 12 BYU players have been named to various All-Big 12 teams. Those players and their preseason all-conference designations are listed below.

Aidan Robbins - RB

Phil Steele: First-team offense

Athlon: Second-team offense

UNLV transfer Aidan Robbins is the only BYU player that has been named to a first-team All-Big 12 selection. Robbins was named to the first-team offense by Phil Steele and the second-team offense by Athlon Sports. Robbins comes to BYU from UNLV after running for more than 1,000 yards last season.

Kingsley Suamataia - OL

Credit: BYU Photo

Athlon: Third-team offense

Phil Steele: Fourth-team offense

Kingsley Suamataia has been named by both Athlon and Phil Steele as a preseason all-conference offensive tackle. Suamataia has been projected as a first-round draft pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Despite being ranked 23rd overall among top draft-eligible players by Phil Steele, Kingsley Suamataia was only a fourth-team selection by Phil Steele.

Ben Bywater - LB

Phil Steele: Third-team defense

Athlon: Fourth-team defense

After racking up 200 tackles over the last two seasons, Ben Bywater was named to the third-team all defense by Phil Steele and the fourth team by Athlon. In last year's bowl game against SMU, Bywater had a pick-six that changed the course of the game and led to a BYU victory.

Hobbs Nyberg - PR

Phil Steele: Fourth-team specialists

Athlon: Fourth-team specialists

BYU punt returner Hobbs Nyberg was a fourth-team selection by both Phil Steele and Athlon. Nyberg had a career-long 42-yard punt return to set up a touchdown against Notre Dame last season.

Ryan Rehkow - P

Phil Steele: Second-team specialists

BYU punter Ryan Rehkow was a second-team selection by Phil Steele. 

Kody Epps - WR

Athlon: Third-team offense

Kody Epps is the lone BYU wide receiver to receive preseason all-conference recognition. Epps returns in 2023 after racking up 459 receiving yards and 6 touchdowns last season.

Connor Pay - OL

Athlon: Fourth-team offense

Multi-year starter Connor Pay was named to the fourth-team offense by Athlon Sports. Pay will be one of just two returning starters along the offensive line for BYU.

Tyler Batty - DL

Athlon: Fourth-team defense

Defensive lineman Tyler Batty was a fourth-team selection by Athlon Sports. Batty has the potential to take a big step forward in 2023 in a new defensive scheme. Over his career, Batty has tallied 9.5 sacks and 17.5 tackles for loss. 

Micah Harper - DB

Athlon: Fourth-team defense

Micah Harper started out the 2022 season as a backup. A few games into the season, he earned a spot in the starting lineup and was one of the best players on the BYU defense.

Isaac Rex - TE

Phil Steele: Fourth-team offense

Veteran tight end Isaac Rex was named to the fourth-team offense by Phil Steele. Before suffering an injury in 2021, Rex was one of the best weapons on BYU's offense. If he can return to form, he will be a big-time weapon for new quarterback Kedon Slovis. 

Max Tooley - LB

Phil Steele: Fourth-team defense

The second of two BYU linebackers to make one of Phil Steele's All-Big 12 teams, Max Tooley was one of BYU's best defensive playmakers last season. Tooley finished with 57 tackles and 3 interceptions last season. He returned two of his three interceptions for touchdowns.

Eddie Heckard - DB

Credit: BYU Photo

Phil Steele: Fourth-team defense

The second transfer on our list - Eddie Heckard was a fourth-team All-Big 12 selection by Phil Steele. Heckard comes to BYU with one season of eligiblity remaining and many years of experience in Jay Hill's defensive scheme.

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