14 Newcomers Listed as Starters on BYU's Depth Chart for Sam Houston State

Newcomers make up a large chunk of the names on BYU's first depth chart

It's game week for Kalani Sitake and the BYU football program. On Monday, BYU released the official depth chart for the season opener. Excluding specialists, eight newcomers were named outright starters on the depth chart and another six newcomers were named co-starters. In total, 27 newcomers were named on BYU's first depth chart in 2023 - seven of those are true freshman.

Outright Starters - Newcomers (8)

1. Kedon Slovis - QB
2. Aidan Robbins - RB
3. Paul Maile - OL
4. Eddie Heckard - CB
5. Kamden Garrett - CB
6. AJ Vongphachang - LB
7. Isaiah Bagnah - DL
8. Jackson Cravens - DL

Co-Starters - Newcomers (6)

1. Caleb Etienne - OL
2. Weylin Lapuaho - OL
3. Ian Fitzgerald - OL
4. Keelan Marion - WR
5. Darius Lassiter - WR
6. Jojo Phillips - WR

Another 13 newcomers were listed on the depth chart as backups.

Backups - Newcomers (13)

1. Jake Retzlaff - QB
2. Deion Smith - RB
3. LJ Martin - RB
4. Mata'ava Ta'ase - TE
5. Jackson Bowers - TE
6. Simi Moala - OL
7. Marcus McKenzie - CB
8. Raider Damuni - S
9. Crew Wakley - S
10. Harrison Taggart - LB
11. Ace Kaufusi - LB
12. Siale Esera - LB
13. Nuuletau Sellesin - DL

Below is the full depth chart and analysis.

*Bold font indicates newcomers on the roster

Quarterback

1. Kedon Slovis
2. Jake Retzlaff

No surprises here at the starting quarterback spot. Kedon Slovis was named the starter clear back in the Spring. Slovis will be the guy as long as he's healthy.

After Kedon Slovis, Aaron Roderick named JUCO transfer Jake Retzlaff as the backup quarterback. Retzlaff makes throws from all arm angles while maintaining accuracy, and now that he has won the backup job, he has the leg up to be the starting quarterback in 2024.

Running Back

Credit: BYU Photo

1. Aidan Robbins
2. Deion Smith
3. LJ Martin

UNLV transfer Aidan Robbins will start at running back for BYU. Robbins ran for 1,000 yards last season for the Rebels. Robbins has been the presumed starter since he signed with BYU clear back in December.

Another running back that will factor in is Colorado transfer Deion Smith. Smith led the Buffaloes in rushing last season, and BYU brought him in to make an immediate impact.

For those that didn't follow Fall camp, true freshman running back LJ Martin was one of the surprises of camp. A few weeks ago, Roderick gave a glowing review of the true freshman. "LJ Martin is a standout in camp so far," Roderick said. "He's one of the best players on this team. He will play this year. He's a very good football player."

LJ will factor in. He's simply too good to keep off the field even as a true freshman.

Wide Receiver

1. Kody Epps OR Parker Kingston OR Jojo Phillips

1. Keanu Hill OR Keelan Marion

1. Chase Roberts or Darius Lassiter

Aaron Roderick and Fesi Sitake have been transparent in naming the top six at wide receiver: Kody Epps, Keanu Hill, Chase Roberts, Keelan Marion, Darius Lassiter, and Parker Kingston. The surprise on the depth chart is true freshman Jojo Phillips who was named a co-starter in week one.

Tight End

1. Isaac Rex
2. Mata'ava Ta'ase
3. Jackson Bowers

Veteran Isaac Rex will be the starter at tight end against Sam Houston State. Aaron Roderick announced that SUU transfer Mata'ava Ta'ase has won the backup job. Ta'ase started out at eighth-string on the depth chart after walking on this year. Ta'ase has climbed all the way up to second on the depth chart and will play a role in 2023.

Four-star true freshman and Arizona native Jackson Bowers will be next in line.

Offensive Line

Left Tackle
1. Kingsley Suamataia
2. Simi Moala

Left Guard
1. Weylin Lapuaho OR Ian Fitzgerald

Center
1. Connor Pay OR Paul Maile
2. Peter Falaniko

Right Guard
1. Paul Maile OR Connor Pay
2. Tyler Little

Right Tackle
1. Caleb Etienne OR Brayden Keim

Roderick named Kingsley Suamataia, Connor Pay, and Paule Maile as three of the starting offensive lineman for week one. BYU hasn't communicated whether Pay or Maile will start at center. Roderick also said Caleb Etienne would likely start at right tackle. Weylin Lapuaho and Ian Fitzgerald are among the other players competing for the final starting spot.

Defensive Backs

Cornerback
1. Eddie Heckard
2. Mory Bamba
3. Marcus McKenzie

Nickel
1. Kamden Garrett
2. Caleb Christensen

Strong Safety
1. Ethan Slade
2. Raider Damuni OR Crew Wakley

Free Safety
1. Malik Moore
2. Tanner Wall OR Chika Ebunoha OR Preston Rex

Cornerback
1. Jakob Robinson
2. Evan Johnson

Jay Hill named Jakob Robinson, Eddie Heckard, and Kamden Garrett as the top three cornerbacks coming out camp.

The safety group suffered two injuries during camp: Micah Harper and Talan Alfrey. Without Micah Harper and Talan Alfrey in the secondary, walk-on Ethan Slade was named the starter at strong safety.

Linebackers

Outside

1. Max Tooley
2. Ammon Hanneman OR Chaz Ah You

Mike

1. Ben Bywater
2. Harrison Taggart OR Ace Kaufusi OR Siale Esera

Sam
1. AJ Vonphachanh
2. Isaiah Glasker OR Fisher Jackson

Max Tooley, Ben Bywater, and AJ Vonphachanh are locks to start for BYU against Sam Houston State. Behind those three, a lot of young players and newcomers are listed as backups.

Defensive Line

Defensive End
1. Isaiah Bagnah
2. Nuuletau Sellesin OR Michael Daley

Defensive End
1. Tyler Batty
2. Blake Mangelson OR Bodie Schoonover

Nose Tackle
1. Atunaisa Mahe OR Caden Haws
2. Joshua Singh

Defensive Tackle
1. Jackson Cravens
2. John Nelson
3. David Latu

Isaiah Bagnah, Jackson Cravens, and Tyler Batty will start along the defensive line. Atunaisa Mahe is a candidate to take that fourth spot - he was named a co-starter alongside Caden Haws.

Specialists

Place Kicker
1. Will Ferrin OR Matthias Dunn

Punter
1. Ryan Rehkow
2. Landon Rehkow

Kick Returners

1. Hobbs Nyberg
2. Talmage Gunther
3. Keelan Marion
4. Parker Kingston

BYU didn't name a starting kicker between Will Ferrin and Matthias Dunn.

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