After losing key pieces and leaders from BYU's 2024 offensive line, backups, transfers and freshmen have some big shoes to fill.
Offensive line coach TJ Woods spoke to the Daily Universe after Monday's spring practice to discuss the current state of the Cougars' offensive line.
What will be the starting unit?
While Woods didn't give a specific answer on who the starting five on the line will be, here is what it appears to be based on media observations and previous interviews with coaches:
| Left Tackle | Isaiah Jatta — Senior |
| Left Guard | Weylin Lapuaho — Senior |
| Center | Bruce Mitchell — Junior |
| Right Guard | Sonny Makasini/Austin Leausa |
| Right Tackle | Andrew Gentry — Junior |
| Next Man Up | Kyle Sfarcioc — Junior |
When asked if their was a set starting lineup already, Woods said "that won't be until fall camp. We got a lot of battles right now, and to be honest, we've got a lot of depth that I don't think we had last year at this point in time."
Woods added that "both tackle positions," are open for battle right now.
Transfer performances
Andrew Gentry, who transferred to BYU from Michigan this offseason, was the biggest transfer addition for the Cougars' offensive line. He has performed well so far in camp, and will likely be a day-one starter.
But one name that flew under the radar was Kyle Sfaricoc, who transferred from Southern Utah. In his time at SUU, he didn't allow a single sack in over 1,400 snaps. Sfaricoc was one of the best tackles in all FCS.
Expect Sfaricoc to be in and out of the starting lineup, filling in holes at multiple positions.
"He's playing a lot of guard right now," Woods said. "The plan is to move him to center also ... just in the rotation."
What freshmen have stood out the most?
The two freshman that Woods highlighted were Ethan Thomason and Andrew Williams, praising Williams more specifically.
"If there's one standout now, I would saw Andrew Williams is doing a pretty good job," Woods said.
Williams is an athletic, three-star recruit out of Missouri.
As of today, its not looking like many freshmen will see the field, but if it ever does get to that point, Williams is a guy to keep an eye on.
Learning curves with a new unit
Losing three veteran leaders is never an easy obstacle, and the Cougars' offensive line has had to adjust without their familiar faces.
"When you lose Connor (Pay), Brayden (Keim), and Caleb (Etienne), those are all three big shoes to fill," Woods said. "Not only from a playing standpoint, but from a leadership standpoint.
"The biggest piece is chemistry. When you dance with somebody and then you dance with somebody else, it's a different dance. You got to get used to dancing with that person."
Cougar coaches are still experimenting with which units work best, and filling the shoes of last year's group is no easy task. The offensive line group is a unit that will be ever evolving until week one of the 2025 season.