BYU ace DB opts out of Jay Hill’s Michigan lure to stay in Provo

As Kyle Whittingham and his new Michigan staff continue raiding Utah’s roster up in Salt Lake City, BYU has managed to keep one of its key defensive pieces home in Provo despite the departure of Jay Hill to Ann Arbor.

Defensive back Evan Johnson has opted to stay at BYU, quieting speculation he might follow Whittingham, Hill, and several of Utah’s impact players to the University of Michigan. The 6‑foot, 185‑pound corner will return for his junior season, where he’s poised to emerge as a leader on what should again be a strong Cougar defense.

The promotion of Kelly Poppinga to defensive coordinator likely played a major role in Johnson’s decision. Poppinga is a BYU lifer and a well‑regarded players’ coach, having lived the grind himself as a former Cougar linebacker who led the team in tackles his senior year. And while Jay Hill earned plenty of praise during his time in Provo, there’s little indication the defense should regress with Poppinga taking over.

Johnson, a Monterey, Calif. native, posted five interceptions, a touchdown, and 47 total tackles in 2025. A similar performance in 2026 could push him into Day 2 or Day 3 NFL Draft conversations, though scouts currently project him as a UDFA.

That upside surely made Johnson an attractive target for Hill as he builds out Michigan’s roster. A program with Michigan’s track record developing NFL talent would tempt almost any rising prospect. Which makes BYU’s ability to keep its core players intact all the more noteworthy; especially as Utah watches several of its standouts head for the exits.