Best BYU Athletes/Coaches To Follow On Social Media
Mar 20, 2020, 2:54 PM | Updated: 3:00 pm
BYU basketball forward Gavin Baxter, Women's basketball guard Shaylee Gonzales, and football tight end/fullback Kyle Griffitts. (Photos courtesy of Deseret News)
(Photos courtesy of Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY – As we all try to figure out ways to entertain ourselves without live sporting events taking place, we are turning to other mediums to pass the time while we are at home. One of those great time fillers is social media.
With me being the BYU insider for KSL Sports, I naturally have to help you out and tell you the best BYU athletes to follow on Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok. Yesssah!
Top BYU Athletes/Coaches to follow on Twitter
Eric Mateos, BYU Football offensive line coach | @CoachMateos
Coach Mateos is in his second year as BYU’s offensive line coach and he’s carved out a nice niche as the best football coach to follow on Twitter. Whether he’s posting clips from a practice of his linemen at work or helping out people in the community, Mateos is putting out those good vibes on Twitter.
Hey friends in Salt Lake or Utah County. Do you know a single mom that’s having a hard time putting groceries on the table because of the coronavirus pandemic? If so, shoot me a DM explaining the situation. I’d love to buy groceries for a few struggling families. Good vibes! pic.twitter.com/llRWbWttMB
— Eric Mateos (@CoachMateos) March 17, 2020
Wash it down Brad!! @Brady_BYU pic.twitter.com/tlyWC84Rkj
— Eric Mateos (@CoachMateos) February 4, 2020
Kyle Griffitts, Wing Tight End/Fullback | @kgee42
Ask a lot of the offensive players in the program right now and they would tell you that senior Kyle Griffitts is a leader of the team in 2020. He’s also a leader on Twitter with his Bachelor tweets. Griffitts also gave us a video of his position teammates accompanied to the Full House theme.
OK I HAVE TO SAY IT, MADISON YOURE TOO INCREDIBLE AND HE DOESNT DESERVE YOU BUT HONESTLY HE DOESNT DESERVE HANNAH EITHER JUST GO GET VICTORIA BE BECAUSE YOU PETER DESERVE HELL FOR THE REST OF FOREVER
— Kyle Griffitts (@kgee42) March 10, 2020
Gavin Baxter, Men’s Basketball Forward | @gbax25
The NCAA needs to do right by guys such as Baxter who came back from a torn labrum to have an opportunity to play in the NCAA Tournament. But while he’s not hooping he’s giving everyone a COVID-19 Spotify playlist and updating us and what he is doing without ball.
This the vibe rn pic.twitter.com/ghy9ZCqWTu
— Gavin Baxter (@gbax25) March 14, 2020
Jack Damuni, Football Community Relations Coordinator |@jackdamuni
There is only one person in the BYU athletic department that warrants their own hashtag. That man is Jack Damuni or better known as #iamjackdamuni. He just had Twitter shook with his recent dance moves, I can only imagine the even better content we will continue to see during this quarantine from #iamjackdamuni.
Oh wow your boy #iamjackdamuni hit the million views club. I told my kids
“WELCOME TO MY WORLD”
😂😂😂 https://t.co/BT789pPTxz— Jack Damuni (@JackDamuni) March 14, 2020
Top BYU Athletes on Instagram
Paisley Johnson, Women’s Basketball guard | @paisleynikelle
Along with being a First-Team All-WCC baller on the court, Johnson recently became engaged to Men’s Basketball player Connor Harding. So we are here for all of that wedding prep content. Also, Johnson has some excellent pregame fits that are sure to impress.
Khyiris Tonga, Defensive Lineman | @khyiristonga
What a huge boost for the BYU football team to have Khyiris Tonga back for his senior season. A few months ago, it seemed highly likely that Tonga was headed to the NFL but now he’s back in Provo and along with getting ready for a big senior season, he’s giving fans great content on Instagram.
Recently, Tonga asked if there was anyone that could trim his hair so he could stay honor code compliant. Only at BYU.
Neil Pau’u, Wide Receiver | @neilpauu
Pau’u drops some gems on his Instagram stories, like the time when he revealed Tom Holmoe became an entertainer and revealed Kalani Sitake’s contract extension via t-shirt. But we’re also here to see Pau’u’s continue growth bouncing back from a setback last year. Heading into 2020, Pau’u looks to be one of BYU’s top wide receivers.
Chris Wilcox, Cornerback | @supercflash
Quality over quantity. Wilcox has always had a passion for football but off the field, he’s a talented music producer. Since Wilcox was young he’s had a love for music and he continues with that during the off-season. He will give snippets of his music producer abilities every once in awhile on the gram.
Top BYU Athletes on TikTok
Shaylee Gonzales, Women’s Basketball guard | @shayleegonzales1
The biggest social media influencer in all of BYU sports is probably Shaylee Gonzales. This past season, Shaylee redshirted as she recovered from an ACL injury she suffered the last summer. In her freshman season, she helped lead BYU to a second-round appearance in the NCAA Tournament. If BYU had a “Hype House” she would be the leader of the home.
@shayleegonzales1but can your teammate dunk?🤔 ##foryou ##viral ##basketball ##dunk♬ Woah – $WAVE
Tevita Ika, Wide Receiver | @thatboiversace
Walk-on wide receiver from nearby Provo High is a solid follow on TikTok. He’ll do the viral dances and even have some of his football teammates join in on the fun. Tevita’s brother Spencer Ika on the BYU Rugby team is another good follow on TikTok as well.
@thatboiversaceOne w some of the boys 🔥🤞 ##getloose ##fy ##foryou @kavika_koolaid32 @joetukuafu4 dc: @smitty4x 🙏🏾♬ Get Loose – Huncho Da Rockstar & K.Blasst
Zach McWhorter, Track & Field | @zach_mcwhorter
We had to include the man who had probably the most viral BYU athlete involved TikTok in Zach McWhorter who suffered a pole vaulting accident.
@zach_mcwhorterJumping into the weekend like…😎 100K likes and I’ll attempt a double-backflip! Vid creds @char_litttt ##foryou ##foryoupage ##polevault ##fyp♬ Fire – Louis The Child & Evalyn
Cosmo The Cougar | @cosmo_cougar
The best all-around athlete might be the mascot, Cosmo. Cosmo can dance, dunk, do crazy stunts, and it’s all captured on its TikTok page.
@cosmo_cougarDrip check!! ##gocougs ##fyp ##foryou ##foryoupage ##byu♬ THIS ISNT MY SOUND DONT HURT ME – esterdobrik
Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for KSLsports.com and host of the Cougar Tracks Podcast (SUBSCRIBE) and Cougar Sports Saturday (Saturday from 12-3 pm) on KSL Newsradio. Follow him on Twitter: @Mitch_Harper.
