Expectations are high this year for the BYU Cougars as they look to build off last year's 11-2 season and No. 13 ranking. ESPN currently ranks Kalani Sitake’s squad No. 10 in their way-too-early rankings, which is the top spot among Big 12 teams.
BYU has realistic aspirations to win the Big 12 this upcoming season then make some noise in the College Football Playoffs. While the Cougars will be returning some key starters from last year and other players on last year’s team will “make the leap” in 2025, BYU is going to need to get immediate production from this year’s transfer class. Here are the three impact transfers who could lift BYU beyond the team’s already lofty expectations:
Keanu Tanuvasa, defensive tackle
Career stats: 24 games, 50 tackles, 13 TFL, 4.0 sacks
The importance of Tanuvasa’s transfer from Utah to BYU can’t be overstated. While defensive coordinator Jay Hill and his staff have done a superb job adding talent and depth at linebacker and in the secondary, the defensive line was thin. This was especially true for the interior defensive line. Tanuvasa is a difference-making game wrecker whom The Athletic recently projected as a late first round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Tanuvasa’s ability to plug rushing lanes, collapse the pocket, and require double teams is going to free up BYU’s talented linebackers to wreak havoc. The Cougars defensive end unit is largely unproven, and the attention Tanuvasa will attract from opposing offensive lines will give them more opportunities coming off the edge. Tanuvasa’s impact will transcend his individual stats. As I've written before, Tanuvasa will elevate BYU's entire defense.
Andrew Gentry, offensive tackle
Career stats: 26 games at offensive line and special teams
The 6-foot-7, 327-pound offensive lineman was one of the nation’s most coveted recruits coming out of high school in 2020. He was the No. 88 player nationally and the No. 8 offensive lineman in the country. He could have essentially picked any school, and he chose the Michigan Wolverines. At Michigan he appeared in 26 games with limited offensive snaps and a host on special teams. He appeared in all 15 games for Michigan’s 2023 national champion team.
Gentry served a two-year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, so between that and his three years at Michigan, the guy is experienced. BYU’s offensive line lost both of last year’s starting tackles in Caleb Etienne and Braden Keim. The Cougars didn’t necessarily have any firm starters at tackle, and Gentry is the kind of plug-and-play guy who at minimum can stabilize the offensive line while having the potential to elevate it.
Carsen Ryan, tight end
Career stats: 29 games, 29 receptions, 400 yards, 4 TDs
After two years at UCLA and one season with Utah, Carsen Ryan will step in as the unquestioned starting tight end for BYU this year. The American Fork product was the No. 306 recruit in the nation and No. 15 tight end in the class of 2022. While his college stats through three seasons don’t jump off the page, Ryan fills a massive hole in BYU’s offense.
Ryan is an effective blocker and pass catcher. Last year the Cougars got very little from their tight ends. BYU’s tight end packages often tipped defenses off to either a run or a pass play depending on which player took the field. Ryan gives BYU an effective every-down tight end and a solid target for Jake Retzlaff to open up the middle of the field in the passing game.