This week Kalani Sitake and his staff signed 18 football commits for the class of 2025. It includes some home runs, including offensive tackle Austin Pay (89 rating at 247 Sports), running back Lamason Waller (88), linebacker Tyler Payne (88), and edge Ulavai Fetuli (88), among others.
And with BYU being BYU, eight of the 18 signees will serve missions before enrolling in Provo. While this can be an additional variable to consider in roster building, it’s encouraging to see that Sitake & Co. continue to sign some of the top LDS recruits in the nation.
While we won’t see some of the class of 2025 until the 2027 season, it also means we get to look back at some of the top talents who signed two years ago, served missions, and will now join the team in 2025. Here’s a quick breakdown of some of the top 2023 recruits who will don the royal blue next year.
Ethan Thomason, tackle, 89 rating (at 247 Sports)
Top competing offers: Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas A&M, Nebraska, Utah
At 6-foot-8 and 325 pounds, Thomason was literally a massive get for BYU back in 2023. Based on his 247 Sports profile he had at least 20 Power Four offers and could have played in the SEC or Big 10 if he chose. BYU has a long history of producing NFL-caliber offensive linemen, and Thomason could be the next in the pipeline.
Saimone Davis, defensive end, 86 rating
Top competing offers: Kansas State, Kansas, Indiana, Virginia
In a declaration that should have Cougar fans excited, back in 2023 BYU recruiting insider Jeff Hanson called Davis “the best prospect BYU fans aren’t talking about.” He has a solid offer sheet with multiple Power Four offers. Defensive coordinator Jay Hill desperately needs to upgrade the defensive line and generate more pressure. Davis could be part of the answer if he can quickly knock off the mission rust.
Matthew Frederick, tight end, 86 rating
Top competing offers: Army, Navy, Nevada, New Mexico
At 6-foot-5 and 230 pounds before his mission, Frederick already had a nice frame to play tight end at the college level. After having served a two-year mission he should be able to add to that frame. BYU is suddenly thin at the tight end spot with Keanu Hill and Mata'ava Ta'ase out of eligibility, Ryner Swanson leaving on a mission, and former four-star recruit Jackson Bowers entering the transfer portal. Despite not having any Power Four offers other than BYU, Frederick might be called upon sooner than later to contribute.
Talitui Pututau, defensive tackle, 85 rating
Top competing offers: Arizona State, Colorado, Utah State, Weber State
Jay Hill also needs to bolster the interior defensive line, and Pututau can help. At 6-foot-5 and 255 pounds before his mission, the former West High School star will need to get back into football shape and bulk up to withstand the rigors of playing in the trenches of the Big 12.
Motekiai Mounga, defensive line, 84 rating
Top competing offers: UNLV, New Mexico State, Hawaii, Southern Utah
The former Timpview star had good size before his mission, measuring at 6-foot-3, 250 pounds. His offer sheet isn’t as stellar as BYU fans might hope with no other Power Four offers, but he was a silent commit to the Cougars as early as 2021 and that could have caused some schools to back off. Now back home from a mission Mounga could help reinforce a defensive line that needs rebuilding.
Owen Borg, linebacker, 84 rating
Top competing offers: Colorado, San Diego State, Utah State, Air Force, Nevada
After starring at Corner Canyon, tackling machine Owen Borg stayed local by signing with BYU. The Cougars have a solid linebacker room right now with Isaiah Glasker and Harrison Taggart. Impact transfer Jack Kelly is a redshirt junior with NFL potential and it remains to be seen if he will return. Underclassmen Aisea Moa and Miles Hall made contributions in 2024. Borg should have more time to adjust to post-mission life than some of the other members of the class of 2023 by joining a positional group where BYU has a lot of strength.