BYU Football: Position Preview – Defensive Line
By Ron Jensen
Interior Linemen
Nose Guard
Khyiris Tonga (6’4, 234, So) played in thirteen games and started two of them, recording 19 tackles in 2017. Coaches and the media can’t stop beaming about his abilities and potential for a future that most likely includes professional football at the highest level.
Merrill (Meti) Tauliauli (6’2, 305, Sr) also played in every game last season, starting two and tallying 27 tackles. Meti has proven to be a viable option here, and Cougar fans can rest easy knowing that there are two formidable players to man the position.
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Tackle
Tevita Mo’Unga (6’3, 350, Jr) started twice for the Cougars last season, but only played in three games. He made 7 tackles during these. Coaches held Tevita out of the spring scrimmage, and so it’s hard to predict where he’s at.
What is known, is that he looks very lean and toned. It can be implied that he’s gained a bit of quickness as a result. If that is the case, and he is able to maintain his previous strength, he could be a very pleasant surprise to this year’s front.
Lorenzo Fauatea (6’4, 300, So) will be his replacement. As a true freshman, he saw the field in three games where he had four tackles. Fauatea, who was recruited by Utah and Oregon State coming out of high school, should play a bigger role for the Cougars this season.
Many analysts are already predicting the defensive line to be a strength for BYU football in 2018. For me, there are just to many unknowns and inexperience to make such a claim. There’s no doubt the there’s a lot of talent, though.