BYU Football 2023 Spring Game Preview

What to watch for as BYU caps off spring football going into the 2023 season

BYU is preparing for the 2023 college football season, the school's first year as a member of the Big 12 Conference after making the move last offseason, ending the program's 12-year run as an independent football power.

The Cougars are coming off an 8-5 campaign last season, starting 4-1 with a win over ranked Baylor and a loss to ranked Oregon, but a four-game losing streak midseason derailed the season before an impressive four-game win streak to cap it off.

BYU fell out of the AP top 25 football rankings in mid-October and never returned to the poll, but finished with a 1-point win over SMU in the New Mexico Bowl.

Kalani Sitake returns to his eighth season as BYU head coach in the company of third-year offensive play-caller Aaron Roderick and defensive coordinator Jay Hill, who is making his debut on the Cougars' coaching staff.

Here's what you should be watching for as BYU caps off spring football.

BYU Football 2023 Spring Game Preview

What to watch as BYU Football caps off spring

1. Overhaul on Defense

The addition of Jay Hill as defensive coordinator was a notable move for BYU. Hill spent nine seasons as head coach of Weber State, leading that school to four straight conference titles and six FCS playoff appearances in a row.

Hill played at Utah and served as an assistant coach on defense, where he built on his philosophy, and now he plans to overhaul BYU's defense in his image.

Expect the Cougars to focus more on speed and power starting at the line of scrimmage. In contrast to the team's broadly more conservative approach in recent years, Hill wants to re-craft the entire scheme, getting more proactive, generating pressure against quarterbacks, and confusing passers in the pocket.

2. Who is Kedon Slovis?

BYU has enjoyed quality quarterback play the last few seasons after watching Zach Wilson and Jaren Hall help define the position for the program.

But with Hall out of the picture, the Cougars needed an answer and believe they found one in veteran transfer Kedon Slovis, originally from USC and then from Pitt.

Slovis had a very promising freshman outing at USC but has not maintained that production since then. In total, he has almost 10,000 passing yards and 68 touchdown passes, but was held back somewhat by Pittsburgh's offensive scheme a year ago.

Keep an eye on the backup QB race, too, if Slovis decisively wins the starting job. JUCO transfer Jake Retzlaff, who passed for 4,596 yards and 44 TDs a year ago, and Cade Fennegan will compete for the spot.

3. Position Battles

Running back: UNLV transfer Aidan Robbins appears to be the favorite to inherit the starting role. He ran for over 1,000 yards last season but is unavailable this spring after having wrist surgery. LJ Martin, a 4-star prospect, will arrive in the summer. Miles Davis and Hinckley Ropati are career reserves but have a shot to make an impact and both have shown signs of big-play ability.

Offensive line: Three of BYU's blockers look to be set, leaving the versatile Lisala Tai as an option to move into guard or right tackle. Missouri State transfer tackle Ian Fitzgerald has five years' experience and will be in the mix for an OT position. Utah State transfer Weylin Lapuaho is a name to watch as he figures into the two-deep depth chart on the interior of the line.

Cornerback: Weber State transfer Eddie Heckard will start in one corner, but there's a competition for the other one going on. Mory Bamba and Evan Johnson are two returning players to watch for the position in addition to Marcus Mckenzie, who is returning from his mission, and JUCO transfer Jayden Dunlap. Jakob Robinson has experience at safety and nickel but could figure in the competition, as well.

How to watch BYU spring football

March 31st 👇👇 pic.twitter.com/rXelWdfSuK

— BYU FOOTBALL (@BYUfootball) February 3, 2023

2023 BYU Football Schedule

Sept. 2 vs. Sam Houston

Sept. 9 vs. Southern Utah

Sept. 16 at Arkansas

Sept. 23 at Kansas

Sept. 29 vs. Cincinnati

Oct. 14 at TCU

Oct. 21 vs. Texas Tech

Oct. 28 at Texas

Nov. 4 at West Virginia

Nov. 11 vs. Iowa State

Nov. 18 vs. Oklahoma

Nov. 25 at Oklahoma State

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