The BYU Cougars will kick off the 2025 season in 84 days against Portland State. As we continue counting down the days until kickoff, today we will profile the player who wears No. 84 - freshman wide receiver Kila Keone.
Kila Keone's background
After prepping in Honolulu, Hawaii, freshman Kila Keone joins a loaded BYU wide receiver room this year. He wasn't among the most heralded recruits in BYU's class of 2025, but at 6-foot-4 and 175 pounds he possesses great height for the position. He also spent some time at Lone Peak High School, so he has some local ties to the Provo area. Keone is reportedly a preferred walk-on with the Cougars.
Keone's recruiting profile at 247 Sports is lighter than most of the receivers on BYU's roster, hence the walk-on status. His profile doesn't report any other Division 1 offers. The seven scholarships he has on record include places like Portland State, San Diego, and Southern Virginia.
Keone's potential impact in 2025
While there's nothing in Keone's background that screams Day 1 starter, BYU fans can have faith in wide receiver coach Fesi Sitake. Fesi has long proven that he has an eye for talent who can meet players where they are and build them into solid contributors. While this process can sometimes take years - especially for zero star recruits like Keone - it can happen. Let's trust Fesi on this one.
BYU's wide receiver room is both talented and deep. Even when putting Keone up against underclassmen like Cody Hagen, Jojo Phillips, Lamason Waller, and Tei Nacua, it's hard to see any real path to making the depth chart.
And that's okay.
Successful freshmen seasons for preferred walk-ons usually mean redshirting, getting stronger, learning the system, and getting reps with the practice squad. Kila Keone is chasing his dream at BYU - and kudos to him for that! - and 2025 will likely be a season of learning and growing in his long-term journey.