Roster Continuity is the Key to BYU Exceeding Expectations in 2024

Earlier this week, oddsmakers set BYU's win total at 4.5 for the 2024 season. Outside of the program, the expectations for this BYU football team are low - and

Earlier this week, oddsmakers set BYU's win total at 4.5 for the 2024 season. Outside of the program, the expectations for this BYU football team are low - and it's understandable. BYU stumbled to the finish line in 2023, losing five consecutive games to finish 5-7. That's not all. The Cougars have more questions than answers at quarterback and they have one of the more challenging conference schedules in 2024. 

Inside the program, however, BYU is confident that they can exceed the five-win season they had in their inaugural Big 12 season. What gives BYU confidence? Roster continuity. Roster continuity is something the Cougars severely lacked in 2023. When the Cougars kicked off the 2023 season against Sam Houston, they started 10 newcomers. As Aaron Roderick has noted multiple times this offseason, the lack of continuity impacted BYU's execution on offense, especially upfront. In Roderick's own words, BYU's staff underestimated the value of roster continuity in 2023 and they have adjusted their thinking for the 2024 season.

BYU brought in a staggering 60+ newcomers for the 2023 season. That number will be much smaller in 2024. Instead of looking to the portal to find players, BYU has focused its attention on roster retention. 

In an era where rosters are turning over at record levels, roster continuity has become a greater competitive advantage than ever before. BYU basketball is a great example of the benefits of roster continuity in college athletics. The Cougars have exceeded expectations in every way thanks to the development of individual players up and down the roster. Every player is better than they were the year before, and in aggregate, those improvements have turned BYU from a middling WCC team to an NCAA tournament lock.

According to oddsmakers, BYU football is expected to be in the bottom tier in the Big 12 next season. That sounds eerily similar to the basketball team who was picked 13th out of 14 teams.

BYU football will need to go by the same script to take a step forward in 2024. At quarterback, can a year of development and experience help Jake Retzlaff take a big step forward? If BYU is going to make it back to a bowl game, the quarterback play must be better. First, Retzlaff has the win the job. Experienced players like Gerry Bohanon and Treyson Bourguet will be competing to take the job from Retzlaff starting in Spring camp.

At wide receiver, BYU returns every starter from a year ago. In 2023, this group featured a lot of new faces. Going into 2024, the wide receivers should be one of the best position groups on the roster. Regardless of who is under center, this unit has the potential to be much improved. If one of the young guys like Jojo Phillips, Dom McKenzie, Cody Hagen, or Tei Nacua can crack the rotation and make this group even deeper, it could elevate them from good to great.

Credit: BYU Photo

As the roster currently stands, BYU is thin at running back. However, they have a clear-cut starter in LJ Martin. Martin led BYU in rushing as a true freshman last season. With a full year of college strength and conditioning under his belt, Martin is a candidate to take a big step forward in 2024.

Credit: BYU Photo

There are fewer answers at tight end. BYU lost veteran tight end Isaac Rex to the NFL. Keanu Hill has moved from wide receiver to tight end - he will factor into the rotation. BYU has a pair of four-star tight ends in Jackson Bowers and Ryner Swanson that will be given opportunities to win the job. True freshman Ryner Swanson, who enrolled early and will participate in Spring camp, might be the best pass-catcher already. There's a long list of tight ends with high potential, but a short list of tight ends with experience.

The offensive line will return three or four starters from a year ago. With a new coach leading this unit, this author expects a much higher level of cohesion and execution from this group.

On defense, can a year of experience combined with an infusion of talent help this unit take the next step? BYU's defense was undoubtedly better in 2023 than it was in 2022, but it still ranked in the bottom half of college football. If BYU's defense can become a top 50 defense, the path to bowl eligibility will be much clearer. 

BYU is betting on roster continuity in 2024. If that bet pays off, BYU will exceed expectations.

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