BYU Football: Projected 2-deep depth chart for 2017
By Zach Bigalke
Defensive Line
Starting tackles: Kesni Tausinga, Tevita Mo’unga
Backups: Handsome Tanielu, Merrill Taliauli
Tevita Mo’unga showcased his skills in the center of the defensive line last season. Mo’unga played in all 13 BYU games and helping shut down Wyoming in the Poinsettia Bowl. He will fill the nose guard spot alongside Kesni Tausinga, who featured in 12 games last year. With another year under each player’s belt, regular starting time should only improve their games.
We will also see plenty of work from guys like Handsome Tanielu, Merrill Taliauli, and Keanu Saleapaga. Tanielu and Taliauli are penciled in at the backup spots on the depth chart. Taliauli started the first seven games last year before suffering a season-ending injury. Tanielu saw action in 12 games and earned a start against Cincinnati. Both could challenge Tausinga and Mo’unga for reps.
Starting ends: Corbin Kaufusi, Sione Takitaki
Backups: Trajan Pili, Uriah Leiatau
After redshirting last season, junior Sione Takitaki returns to help bolster the BYU defensive line and help transform the group into a more productive unit. Takitaki played 17 games as a freshman and sophomore between 2014 and 2015. During that time, he notched 6.5 sacks and 11 tackles for loss in a reserve role. He could snatch the starting position at one end.
The other side will likely be manned by Corbin Kaufusi. Getting his first playing time last season as a sophomore, Kaufusi started five games and looks to build on that in 2017. Redshirt sophomore Trajan Pili and redshirt freshman Uriah Leiatau are the likeliest to land the two backup spots, though there are several strong challengers behind them. BYU should be much better than 53rd nationally in sacks this season thanks to a deep group of ends.