BYU Football: 3 breakout candidates for 2022 season

Nov 27, 2021; Los Angeles, California, USA; BYU Cougars wide receiver Keanu Hill (1) celebrates after a touchdown against the Southern California Trojans in the second half at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

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Before the 2021 season, Keanu Hill played in four career games and had seven career catches for 110 yards and a touchdown. He was simply just a role player and added depth to the receiver room, but he stepped up in a big way in 2021.

The former two-star prospect was ranked in the 300s in terms of receivers in the 2019 class so it’s safe to say he was overlooked by everyone in the FBS. But BYU gave him a shot.

And thankfully the Cougars did give him a shot because he is becoming a revelation in Provo. He had a solid redshirt freshman season in 2021, catching a career-best 18 passes for 343 yards and two touchdowns. He is growing into a star receiver for the Cougars and a priority target for Jaren Hall at quarterback.

BYU is bringing back Puka Nacua and Gunner Romney who each had over 500 receiving yards last season but the Cougars lost Neil Pau’u and Samson Nacua and that’s where Hill will come in.

Hill has a shot to become one of the best breakout receivers outside the Power Five this season.

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