The BYU Cougars have once again established themselves as a respectable challenge for any foe in the country since hitting a low point in 2017. With 29 wins over the last three seasons and seeing two quarterbacks drafted in that span, the program is looking to reach double-digit wins in 2023. We’re taking a look at BYU’s 2024 NFL Draft prospects ahead of the season.
BYU Cougars Roster and Depth Chart Changes
Hopes were high for the Cougars to follow up their explosive 2021 season with another leap. With quarterback Jaren Hall headlining an offense that was one of the most efficient in the nation, the Cougars matched offensive expectations. But the defense utterly failed to do the same, dropping from fourth in scoring in 2020 to 97th in 2022.
Changes came in droves this offseason, with Hall and leading wide receiver Puka Nacua getting drafted. Leading rusher Christopher Brooks graduated, signing with the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent. The Cougars lost 20 players in the transfer portal on top of three players drafted.
Twenty-one players entered the program from around the country, revamping key positions on both sides of the ball. The backfield will feature productive veterans in quarterback Kedon Slovis and running back Aidan Robbins. Meanwhile, the defensive line will benefit from Isaiah Bagnah and Jackson Cravens, who are solid but not surefire NFL prospects.
BYU NFL Draft Prospects
Kedon Slovis, QB
After debuting with a stellar freshman season at USC in 2019, throwing for 30 touchdowns and 3,502 yards while completing almost 72% of his passes, Slovis simply hasn’t been able to parlay his game into continued growth. He remained efficient at USC over the next 15 games of his career there thanks to a penchant for taking checkdown passes, but his impact disappeared.
Slovis then moved on to Pitt for 2022 and struggled to replicate the success of his predecessor, Kenny Pickett. His completion rate plummeted, completing under 58% of attempts and throwing only 10 touchdowns to nine interceptions. Watching Slovis was almost foreign to the confident, accurate thrower we saw so many years ago.
It’s hard to blame BYU for giving Slovis another shot. Though he’s not a creative player who can improvise while on the move or while under pressure, Slovis can keep an offense moving downfield and limit his mistakes. If he can bounce back to any meaningful level, he’ll be considered for all-star games and the 2024 NFL Draft.
Aidan Robbins, RB
After notching only seven carries across two years at Louisville, Robbins broke out in his lone season at UNLV. The massive 6’3″, 230-pounder totaled 1,134 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2022, producing as a rusher and a receiver.
As with most big backs, Robbins isn’t someone who cuts smoothly or efficiently on outside zone reads. He’s someone who has to get downhill quickly and is more than willing to play to his strengths. Giving Robbins a crease on any power play can lead to a big play as he bowls through arm tacklers with ease.
Robbins brings value as a pass catcher with a clear upside as a blocker as well. He won’t be a starter in the NFL with his lack of agility, but he can push to be a Day 3 pick for teams wanting to punish defenses that have built smaller fronts.
Kingsley Suamataia, OT
A mauling tackle prospect with excellent athletic tools, Kingsley Suamataia will undoubtedly be in the mix to land in the first round next season. He’s shown off top-notch strength, projecting as an immediate impact run blocker in any scheme.
Suamataia is still raw in pass protection though. He’s prone to overextending with his upper body and struggles to keep defenders within his grip. Both of those are fixable techniques.
Ben Bywater, LB
One of the more productive defenders in the nation, Ben Bywater’s frame more closely resembles a safety than a true linebacker. This gives him very good closing speed and comfort in space. However, his lack of power and struggle to scrape across blockers may limit him to nickel packages as a weakside linebacker or big safety at the next level.
BYU Cougars Schedule
- Week 1
BYE - Week 2
Sept. 2: vs. Sam Houston Bearkats - Week 3
Sept. 9: vs. Southern Utah Thunderbirds - Week 4
Sept. 16: at Arkansas Razorbacks - Week 5
Sept. 23: at Kansas Jayhawks - Week 6
Sept. 29: vs. Cincinnati Bearcats - Week 7
BYE - Week 8
Oct. 14: at TCU Horned Frogs - Week 9
Oct. 21: vs. Texas Tech Red Raiders - Week 10
Oct. 28: at Texas Longhorns - Week 11
Nov. 4: at West Virginia Mountaineers - Week 12
Nov. 11: vs. Iowa State Cyclones - Week 13
Nov. 18: vs. Oklahoma Sooners - Week 14
Nov. 25: at Oklahoma State Cowboys - Week 15
BYE
