BYU’s pass rush took a real step forward in 2025, and nobody around the program sounds interested in calling that good enough.
The Cougars climbed from 122nd nationally in sacks in 2024 with 20 to 62nd last season with 30. That jump matters. But on Monday, several BYU coaches and players made it clear they want a much louder number attached to the 2026 defense.
Defensive coordinator Kelly Poppinga said he’s “a big numbers guy, a big stats guy,” but sacks aren’t the metric he’s chasing most closely. He’s more concerned with the kind of broader disruption that shows up in the ugly parts of a game: fewer than 3 yards per carry allowed, under 33% on third-down conversions and no more than 45% touchdowns once opponents reach the red zone.
Even so, the expectation inside the building is rising fast. New rush ends/outside linebackers coach Chad Kauha’aha’a said his group hasn’t set a specific sack target yet, but he believes that room should produce more than 25 sacks on its own.
“Again, it is about creating havoc plays, being in the backfield, and getting our names called,” he said. “That’s what we want out of that position. We want excitement out of that position.”
Senior defensive tackle Keanu Tanuvasa went even further, saying the Cougars “should have around 50 sacks this year.”
That kind of confidence starts with how BYU is building its front. Kauha’aha’a now oversees a hybrid group made up of outside linebackers and defensive ends, and he described the job as one that demands versatility on every snap.
“I tell my guys we have the toughest job on the field. We’re the only group that has to play the run, play the pass and in various situations (cover) the back end,” Kauha’aha’a said.
He pointed out that the defensive line can stay locked into run duty, while the edge players have to handle more moving parts - especially the F position, the field-side backer/edge role. In his view, that’s exactly what makes the group valuable.
“The (defensive) line is going to play the run the whole time. They play up front.
There’s a lot of moving parts, too, especially the F position that we have, the field side backer/edge, whatever you want to call it,” he continued. “It’s a tough position to play, but we got a lot of good players that can do it.”
That room will feature Isaiah Glasker in the base package, with sophomore Nusi Taumoepeau projected to start at the F spot when BYU leaves base looks. Kauha’aha’a said Taumoepeau is “fully healthy and fully cleared” after missing contact drills in spring camp.
The depth chart behind them is part of the pitch for why this group can make a bigger splash. Kauha’aha’a listed junior Tausili Akana, redshirt freshman Kendal Wall, freshman Braxton Lindsey, sophomore Hunter Clegg and freshman Vince Tautua as players to keep an eye on.
“We got a lot of depth in that room, so we gotta make a statement,” Kauha’aha’a said.
He had especially strong words for Lindsey and Clegg.
“We got Braxton Lindsey, who, oh boy, he’s gonna be a good surprise for everyone,” the coach said. “And then at the B spot, we got Hunter Clegg starting in the base package, obviously more of a run-stopper guy.”
Poppinga’s role will stretch beyond the coordinator title this season. He’ll also coach the inside linebackers, with assistant linebackers coach Tyus Moe helping in that room. That group includes Isaiah Glasker, Siale Esera, Jake Clifton and Cal transfer Cade Uluave.
The staff also leans on Gary Andersen, the former Utah State, Wisconsin and Oregon State head coach, who now serves as BYU’s chief consultant to the head coach and senior defensive consultant.
Kauha’aha’a said moving into his new role has been straightforward.
“It was a smooth, easy transition (to rush ends/outside linebackers coach),” he said.
That fit makes sense given his background. He said he teaches his players to rush the passer and drop into coverage, which mirrors the way he coached at Wisconsin and Oregon State. His résumé also includes stops at USC, Boise State, Utah, Utah State and Weber State, along with a playing career at Utah from 1993-96.
The internal belief around the defense seems to be spreading beyond the coaches. Tanuvasa said center Bruce Mitchell described the linebackers and edge players in almost comic-book terms.
“Bruce walked up to me the other day and said, ‘You have the Avengers back there, with Cade (Uluave), with Glasker, and with Nusi,’” Tanuvasa said.
“He said, ‘I don’t know how we are going to be able to block all of them, or let alone have some area on the field to throw the ball to.’”
Glasker had his own blunt assessment of what it’s like up front with Kirkland and Tanuvasa taking up space inside.
“I have never seen a dude (Kirkland) like that before. He and Keanu working together is - you are in for a long movie.”
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