BYU Football: Projected 2-deep depth chart for 2017

Linebackers

Starting outside linebackers: Fred Warner, Francis Bernard
Backups: Morgan Unga, Isaiah Kaufusi

BYU is in great shape this season. The team returns all three of its starting linebackers from 2016. Fred Warner has continued to excel after transitioning from the 3-4 defense favored by Bronco Mendenhall. The team shifted toward a 4-3 look once Kalani Sitake took over as head coach. Despite the shift, Warner led all BYU defenders as a junior with 86 total tackles, including 10.5 for loss. He will lead a unit that should look even better after adjusting to the scheme change.

At weakside linebacker, Francis Bernard started 12 games after transitioning from running back. Bernard seamlessly moved to defense, getting an interception and a sack in his first career start against Arizona. He also played big against Mississippi State, notching 16 tackles in that game. The pair will be backed up by a deep depth chart that features Morgan Unga and Isaiah Kaufusi as the backups.

Starting middle linebacker: Butch Pau’u
Backups: Johnny Tapusoa

Butch Pau’u is the third of three returning starters at linebacker for BYU. The middle linebacker finished second on the team in tackles despite playing just 10 games last season. In eight starts, Pau’u locked down his starting role heading into 2017. He will be backed up by promising sophomore Johnny Tapusoa, who saw action in nine games as a freshman last year.