BYU Football Roster Reveals Newcomers Who Arrived For 2021 Season
Aug 5, 2021, 11:59 AM
(Photos courtesy of Getty Images)
PROVO, Utahย – Another fall camp beginning means another wave of newcomers joining the BYU football roster.
BYU updated its 2021 football roster on Wednesday night, hours after players arrived for check-in day. The team is set to take the practice field on Thursday morning for the first practice of Camp Kalani.
Here are the newcomers that have joined the BYU football roster this fall. This list doesn’t include newcomers who were part of the BYU program this past spring or previous season.
Newcomers on the 2021 BYU Football roster
Listed in alphabetical order
Maguire Anderson, Wide Receiver
A preferred walk-on from Florida, Anderson is the son of former BYU WR RJ Anderson. Anderson is a dual-sport athlete who also excelled in soccer during his prep career.
๐ตโช๏ธSignedโช๏ธ๐ต#NationalSigningDay @BYUfootball @CoachRoderick @Jasen_AhYou @MitchellHSFB pic.twitter.com/saWsS8F7ZG
— Maguire Anderson (@MaguireAnderso1) February 4, 2021
Nick Billoups, Quarterback
Billoups transferred to BYU after a year with rival Utah. A prep standout out of San Clemente, California, Billoups was a walk-on with the Utes, where he was switched to safety this past spring. He will compete at QB during camp at BYU.
Worked with several very good Utah HS QBs and both Jaren Hall and Nick Billops from BYU today in Spanish Fork Utah.
Jaren, Nick and Skyridge HS QB Mccae Hilstead getting in some 3 level throws on this rep. #becomeELITE @J_tom24 @_nickbilloups @mccaehillstead pic.twitter.com/0sjEhqz2b4
— QB Elite #becomeELITE (@qbelite) July 31, 2021
Ethan Erickson, Tight End
A former three-star recruit in the class of 2019, Erickson was a two-sport athlete at Kahuku High School. He served a two-year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Japan.
#BuiltNotBorn pic.twitter.com/UiHc8O7QA1
— Ethan Erickson (@ethan_erickson_) December 17, 2018
Cade Fennegan, Quarterback
Fennegan transferred to BYU after one year at Boise State. He entered the Transfer Portal after the July 1 cutoff date, so he will have to redshirt this year despite new NCAA rules that allow undergrad transfers a one-time waiver to play immediately.
Brock Gunderson, Offensive Line
Out of Cypress, Texas, Gunderson was a three-star recruit in the class of 2019. He received offers from Purdue, Air Force, Army, Utah State, UNLV, and others. For the past two years, Gunderson served a mission in El Salvador for the Church.
P- Paramount
R- Resilient
O- Opportunity
V- Valiant
O- Outstanding
Provo is the place to be#builtnotborn #wallofprovo pic.twitter.com/sAYnNfUJFD— Brock Gunderson (@brockgundie) December 17, 2018
Kaleb Hayes, Cornerback
Hayes transferred to BYU from Oregon State. He played in 17 games, starting in eight, over the past three years with the Beavers. Hayes arrives at BYU as a graduate transfer with two years of eligibility remaining.
Cade Hoke, Linebacker
Hoke is the son of former BYU and Pittsburgh Steeler great Chris Hoke. Hoke committed to BYU as a preferred walk-on; he then served a mission in Brazil.
I am excited to announce my commitment to further my football and academic career at BYU! I am thankful to everyone who has helped me to get where I am today! #GoCougs @byulamb @kalanifsitake pic.twitter.com/EoBHxvfDZ1
— Cade Hoke (@cadehoke20) November 2, 2018
Tyler Little, Offensive Line
Little’s path to BYU is a unique one. He hasn’t played a down of football since middle school.
Tyler Little isn't your typical #BYU Football recruit.
๐โก๏ธ๐#BYUFootball #GoCougs https://t.co/TfJ5T0wKBr
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) June 25, 2021
After serving a mission for the Church, Little was originally going to enroll at a Junior College to play basketball. However, the JUCO he was set to attend canceled its basketball season due to COVID-19. Little then enrolled at Butte College for the winter/spring semester and took on football after being nudged in that direction by a friend. Little has great athleticism but is a raw prospect that needs to learn the game of football.
Cooper McMullin, Offensive Line
McMullin committed to BYU as a preferred walk-on back in June. He prepped at San Marcos High School in California.
It has been a journey, but I have found my home. God has shown me the way and I could not be more grateful. GO COUGS!! โฆ@BYUfootballโฉ โฆ@SanMarcosFBallโฉ pic.twitter.com/4R5DvrLb4z
— Cooper McMullin (@McmullinCooper) June 19, 2021
Puka Nacua, Wide Receiver
Nacua comes to BYU via Washington out of the Transfer Portal. He has the opportunity to be one of the top wide receivers for the Cougars this season and in the years to come.
For us momma๐ค๐ฝ pic.twitter.com/bYqUmiEOlE
— Puka Nacua (@AsapPuka) March 9, 2021
Samson Nacua, Wide Receiver
Older brother to Puka Nacua, Samson arrives at BYU after five years with the University of Utah. He has one season of eligibility remaining as a graduate transfer. He has a chance to contend for a starter role in the wide receiver room.
#BYU officially announces additions of Puka and Samson Nacua.
Kalani: โWe are very excited about the additions of Sampson and Puka. They are both experienced and talented receivers and come from an amazing family and a great bloodline of football players to come through BYU.โ
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) March 31, 2021
Cade Parrish, Offensive Line
Parrish was a late addition via Snow College. Once committed to the University of Arizona, Parrish has three years of college eligibility remaining.
Quenton Rice, Cornerback
Quenton Rice switches from wide receiver to cornerback in his first year at BYU, following his father’s footsteps. His dad, Rodney Rice, was a BYU great in the late 1980s.
Congratulations to Quenton Rice as he officially signs his LOI with BYU! #GoCougs #signingday pic.twitter.com/QCUpyVqahw
— Faith Football (@FL_Ftball) December 17, 2020
Chase Roberts, Wide Receiver
A former Under Armour All-American, Roberts returned home from his mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints this past March. He served his mission in Canada.
Chase Roberts returns from a mission coming up in March. He will miss spring ball this year. Will be interesting to see if he's able to contribute this fall. #BYU #BYUFootball @kslsports
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) February 3, 2021
Jakob Robinson, Cornerback
Robinson transferred to BYU after one year at Utah State. Will contend for immediate playing time in the secondary.
With the NCAA approving a one-time waiver, #BYU WR Puka Nacua and DB Jakob Robinson will be eligible immediately. https://t.co/pvpa7D3dfB
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) April 14, 2021
Dylan Rollins, Offensive Line
Rollins, the Montana Gatorade Player of the Year, is a rare Montana high school prospect to earn a scholarship from an FBS program.
Dylan Rollins
BYU, Offensive Line 2021-2025 pic.twitter.com/CrGajDUcgs— Random College Athletes (@RandomAthletess) August 2, 2021
Joshua Singh, Defensive Line
Singh received PWO offers from Utah and Washington before committing to BYU as a preferred walk-on this past December after completing his high school career at nearby Orem High.
GO COUGZ ๐ค๐ฝ๐ @BYUfootball @BYUFBRecruiting @kalanifsitake @Jasen_AhYou @coachtuiaki @JackDamuni @gsewell_sr pic.twitter.com/9jpIAkFt9p
— ๐๐จ๐ฌ๐ก๐ฎ๐ ๐๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ก (@joshsingh94) February 14, 2021
Viliami Tausinga, Linebacker
A signee in the class of 2018, Tausinga was officially announced by BYU this past May. He will begin his career with the linebackers. Could be a prospect that competes at the defensive line eventually in his BYU career.
The time it takes to get #BYU recruiting classes to matriculate into school is always interesting to me.
Look at #BYU's 2018 class.
Zach Wilson and Dax Milne are in the NFL.
Viliami Tausinga will have his first college practice this August.#BYUFootball @kslsports
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) June 8, 2021
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:ย @Mitch_Harper.