The BYU Cougars kick off the 2025 season in 44 days against Portland State. As we continue counting down the days until kickoff, today we will profile the player who wears No. 44 - sophomore defensive end Ephraim Asiata - by providing three interesting, fun facts:
Fun fact No. 1 - He was a big-time high school recruit
Coming out of Herriman High School in the class of 2024, Ephraim Asiata was a high three-star prospect with an 88 rating at 247 Sports. He was the No. 8 prospect in the state of Utah that year and the fourth highest rated player in BYU's class of 2024.
Fun fact No. 2 - He has NFL bloodlines
Ephraim's father, Matt, had an outstanding college career at Utah before carving out a solid five-year NFL career. Matt wasn't selected in the NFL draft but he went on to make the Minnesota Vikings roster in 2012 and spent his entire career there. In all he appeared in 74 career games, gaining 1,259 yards on 361 attempts (3.5 YPC) with an impressive 18 touchdowns. As a dual-threat back, the elder Asiata also had 101 career receptions for 722 yards and another score.
Ephraim's No. 44 with the BYU Cougars matches the number his father wore during this time with the Vikings.
Fun fact No. 3 - He could be a key rotational piece in 2025
As a true freshman last year, Ephraim appeared in 11 games and recorded two tackles. Any freshman that appears in that many games for a team that went 11-2, as the Cougars did last season, clearly has talent. At 6-foot-3 and just 210 pounds, he could stand to add some additional bulk to complement his speed coming off the edge.
Last year was a learning experience for Asiata, as most freshmen campaigns tend to be. It wouldn't be surprising to see him land on the two-deep roster this year behind presumed starters Logan Lutui and Bodie Schoonover. The starters are going to need rest, and injuries happen. When they do, underclassmen like Ephraim Asiata need to be ready when called upon, and it appears like he will be.