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BYU Football: Scouting the Schedule – Boise State

By Shaun Gordon

LAS VEGAS, NV - DECEMBER 16: Quarterback Brett Rypien #4 of the Boise State Broncos looks to pass against the Oregon Ducks during the Las Vegas Bowl at Sam Boyd Stadium on December 16, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Boise State won 38-28. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - DECEMBER 16: Quarterback Brett Rypien #4 of the Boise State Broncos looks to pass against the Oregon Ducks during the Las Vegas Bowl at Sam Boyd Stadium on December 16, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Boise State won 38-28. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images) /
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BOISE, ID – OCTOBER 20: Quarterback Taysom Hill #7 of the Brigham Young Cougars passes around the defense of defensive end Sam McCaskill #94 of the Boise State Broncos during second half action on October 20, 2016 at Albertsons Stadium in Boise, Idaho. Boise State won the game 28-27. (Photo by Loren Orr/Getty Images)
BOISE, ID – OCTOBER 20: Quarterback Taysom Hill #7 of the Brigham Young Cougars passes around the defense of defensive end Sam McCaskill #94 of the Boise State Broncos during second half action on October 20, 2016 at Albertsons Stadium in Boise, Idaho. Boise State won the game 28-27. (Photo by Loren Orr/Getty Images) /

The Defense

Defensive Line

The entire starting defensive line is back for the Broncos, led by Durrant Miles. As a junior, Miles had four tackles for loss, two sacks, and an interception.

David Moa (Sr.) will line up opposite Miles, with Sonatane Lui (Jr.) in between them.

Chase Hatada (Jr.) saw plenty of action last year as well, and he’ll serve as the primary backup at end, and expect Emmanuel Fesili (Jr.) to back up Lui at nose tackle.

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Linebacker

The loss of Vander Esch will hit this unit hard. Curtis Weaver (So.) earned Freshman All-American honors last year, and he’ll anchor one outside spot, but he’ll be pushed by senior Jabril Frazier, who owned that spot before Weaver exploded onto the scene.

Tyson Maeva (Jr.) will return as the starter in the middle, with transfer Tony Lashley (Sr.) and redshirt freshman Ezekiel Noa battling for the backup spot.

The other outside spot is still a battle between Blake Whitlock (Sr.) and Riley Whimpey (So.).

Secondary

Four out of last year’s five starters are back for the Broncos. Tyler Horton (Sr.) and Avery Williams (So.) have the corners locked down. Both players finished with more than 40 tackles and a pair of interceptions in 2017.

Both safeties are back. Kekoa Nawahine (Jr.) is the leading returning tackler, and he’ll look to build on that at strong safety. At free safety is DeAndre Pierce (Jr.), who finished last season with 83 tackles, including 4 for a loss, and an interception.

A pair of sophomores will man the nickleback spot. Kekaula Kaniho will likely get the starting nod, but he’ll be pushed by Desmond Williams. Both saw significant action last year.

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