When it comes to understanding the college football scene in Utah, few can match Justin Ena’s expertise. A former BYU and NFL linebacker, Ena has made his mark across all six Division I schools in Utah, including Southern Utah, Weber State, Utah, Utah State, Utah Tech, and BYU. His journey also took him to Eastern Washington and San Diego State, following a four-year NFL stint with the Philadelphia Eagles and Tennessee Titans, primarily on special teams.
Recently promoted to BYU’s special teams coordinator by head coach Kalani Sitake, Ena steps into the shoes of Kelly Poppinga, who moved up to defensive coordinator. Poppinga’s departure followed Jay Hill’s transition to join Kyle Whittingham’s staff at Michigan. Ena’s familiarity with special teams is extensive, having previously coached them at Southern Utah and Utah.
Sitake praised Ena’s appointment, emphasizing his potential to maintain the high standards set by Poppinga. Ena, who shined for the Cougars from 1997-2001, is no stranger to special teams, having played under John Harbaugh in Philadelphia. Ena’s NFL experience has ingrained in him the importance of special teams, and he’s committed to ensuring his players excel when called upon.
BYU’s special teams have been pivotal in securing significant victories against teams like Utah and Kansas State. Ena acknowledges the challenge of maintaining this success but plans only minor tweaks, primarily in punt return strategies, which will adapt to the opposition’s punting.
The 2026 season will see new faces in BYU’s special teams lineup. Kicker Will Ferrin, punter Sam Vander Haar, long snapper Garrison Grimes, and punt returner Parker Kingston are moving on, making way for a fresh cohort of talented but inexperienced players.
Ferrin’s shoes, in particular, will be hard to fill. The competition for kicker is heating up between senior Matthias Dunn and freshman Ian Sanches, with returned missionary Brody Laga soon joining the fray.
Vander Haar’s departure, following the NCAA’s denial of his eligibility extension, opens the door for Fuller Shurtz. A redshirt freshman from Texas, Shurtz is a versatile athlete with a strong leg, ready to take on the punting responsibilities.
As for the punt return unit, Ena is exploring several options to replace Kingston, who scored three touchdowns on returns. Sophomore cornerback Cannon DeVries, along with running back Preston Rex and receiver Tiger Bachmeier, are in the mix, alongside freshmen receivers Legend Glasker and Terrance Saryon.
Ena draws inspiration from mentors like Poppinga, Sharrieff Shah, John Harbaugh, and Dave Toub, emphasizing a strong work ethic and dedication. He’s committed to instilling these values in his players, ensuring they contribute to BYU’s success on the field. Ena’s approach is clear: work hard, stay focused, and help the team win as many games as possible.