More than Half the BYU Football Roster Has Added Weight in Preparation for 2024 Season

Casey Lundquist | Jul 20, 2024

Brigham Young Cougars running back LJ Martin (27) / Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

The new and improved strength and conditioning program has been an area of focus for the BYU football program. Players up and down the roster have adjusted their bodies to prepare for the physical demands of Power Four football. The Big 12 conference slate took a physical toll on BYU last year. The Cougars struggled in the trenches on both sides of the ball, especially in the run game. Kalani Sitake and his staff have made public comments about the Big 12's physicality and how much BYU needs to improve in that area. The strength and conditioning and nutrition programs are key component of addressing that deficiency.

BYU has invested a lot more in strength staff and nutrition since accepting an invitation to join the Big 12 back in 2021.

There are 73 returning players on the BYU football roster and 40 of them have put on at least five pounds since the end of last season. Here is a list of the 40 players that have added at least five pounds since 2023.

𝐆𝐄𝐓 𝐓𝐎 𝐊𝐍𝐎𝐖: Dan Wilcox

Director of Football Nutrition pic.twitter.com/7oAQyeNNJq

— BYU FOOTBALL (@BYUfootball) April 24, 2024

1. Keanu Hill up +25 lbs. vs 2023
2. Ace Kaufusi up +25 lbs. vs 2023
3. Miles Hall up +25 lbs. vs 2023
4. Weston Jones up +25 lbs. vs 2023
5. LJ Martin up +20 lbs. vs 2023
6. Maika Kaufusi up +20 lbs. vs 2023
7. Landon Rehkow up +20 lbs. vs 2023
8. Kaden Chidester up +20 lbs. vs 2023
9. Jojo Phillips up +15 lbs. vs 2023
10. Isaiah Glasker up +15 lbs. vs 2023
11. Mory Bamba up +15 lbs. vs 2023
12. Kevin Doe up +15 lbs. vs 2023
13. John Nelson up +15 lbs. vs 2023
14. Marcus McKenzie up +13 lbs. vs 2023
15. Nuuletau Sellesin up +13 lbs. vs 2023
16. Isaiah Bagnah up +10 lbs. vs 2023
17. Chika Ebunoha up +10 lbs. vs 2023
18. Malae Tanuvasa up +10 lbs. vs 2023
19. Petey Tuipulotu up +10 lbs. vs 2023
20. Bodie Schoonover up +10 lbs. vs 2023
21. Anthony Olsen up +10 lbs. vs 2023
22. Blake Mangelson up +10 lbs. vs 2023
23. Joshua Singh up +10 lbs. vs 2023
24. Jayden Dunlap up +7 lbs. vs 2023
25. Jake Griffin up +6 lbs. vs 2023
26. Miles Davis up +5 lbs. vs 2023
27. Darius Lassiter up +5 lbs. vs 2023
28. Hinckley Ropati up +5 lbs. vs 2023
29. Parker Kingston up +5 lbs. vs 2023
30. Cole Hagen up +5 lbs. vs 2023
31. Koa Eldredge up +5 lbs. vs 2023
32. Evan Johnson up +5 lbs. vs 2023
33. Mason Fakahua up +5 lbs. vs 2023
34. Ethan Slade up +5 lbs. vs 2023
35. Dalton Riggs up +5 lbs. vs 2023
36. Siale Esera up +5 lbs. vs 2023
37. Jake Eichorn up +5 lbs. vs 2023
38. Brayden Keim up +5 lbs. vs 2023
39. Sam Dawe up +5 lbs. vs 2023
40. David Latu up +5 lbs. vs 2023

There are also a handful of players that want to play at a lower weight than they played at last year, headlined by Caleb Etienne, Raider Damuni, Aisea Moa, Keelan Marion, and Harrison Taggart,

1. Trevin Ostler down -25 lbs. vs 2023
2. Caleb Etienne down -10 lbs. vs 2023
3. Aisea Moa down -10 lbs. vs 2023
4. Sonny Makasini down -10 lbs. vs 2023
5. Raider Damuni down -10 lbs. vs 2023
6. Bruce Mitchell down -5 lbs. vs 2023
7. Lucky Finau down -5 lbs. vs 2023
8. Nason Coleman down -5 lbs. vs 2023
9. Enoch Nawahine down -5 lbs. vs 2023
10. Keelan Marion down -5 lbs. vs 2023
11. Harrison Taggart down -5 lbs. vs 2023