BYU Football: Seven Cougars named to Phil Steele All-Independent Team

Phil Steele released his All-Independent Team on Wednesday, and seven BYU Football players earned either First Team or Second Team honors.

One disadvantage of BYU Football’s independence is the lack of All-Conference awards. But writer Phil Steele has fixed that to a small degree.

Steele releases his All-Conference teams, including an All-Independent team. And seven Cougars earned those honors.

Four BYU players earned First Team honors – Corbin Kaufusi, Sione Takitaki, Austin Hoyt, and Matt Bushman.

Three Cougars were named to the Second Team – Isaiah Kaufusi, Rhett Almond, and Mitch Harris.

Four of the players awarded are seniors, but Bushman, Isaiah Kaufusi, and Harris will be back in 2019.

Corbin Kaufusi led the Cougars in both sacks (8.5) and tackles for loss (9.5), among 56 tackles, two tipped passes, and a blocked kick.

Takitaki had 99 tackles to pace BYU, including eight tackles for loss, two sacks, and a forced fumble.

Hoyt has played in every game but one over his four-year career, and anchored the offensive line as a tackle.

Even though Bushman played sparingly during the first part of the season, the sophomore still led the team with 459 yards and scored two touchdowns. His 18.4 yards per catch was by far the best of any Cougar pass-catcher.

Isaiah Kaufusi worked his way into the starting lineup as the season progressed. The sophomore linebacker had 50 tackles, six tackles for loss, and two interceptions.

Almond handled nearly all of the punting duties for the Cougars in 2018. He averaged 40.3 yards per punt, including a 57-yarder, and pinned 17 punts inside the 20.

Harris handled long-snapping duties throughout the season, and the junior should pick up where he left off in 2019.

Even though the Cougars had a better season in 2018, they actually had more All-Independent players in 2017. Last season four BYU players earned First Team honors and six earned Second Team honors.