BYU Football’s Top 10 Players For 2021 Season

LAS VEGAS, Nevada – The BYU Football 2021 season has arrived. The long awaited season opener against the Arizona Wildcats is finally here.

All summer long on Cougar Sports Saturday, Mitch Harper and Matt Baiamonte have been counting down the top 10 BYU football players as voted on by the KSL sports staff.

We're back!! pic.twitter.com/EeWTbFtiAW

— BYU FOOTBALL (@BYUfootball) September 4, 2021

1. Tyler Allgeier

2020 stats: 1,158 rushing yards, 13 touchdowns.

It’s no surprise that Tyler Allgeier was voted top BYU player heading into 2021 after the season he had a year ago.

2. James Empey

2020 stats: Eight games played at Center.

It’s critical for offensive success that Empey anchors a line that loses multiple starters from 2020.

3. Isaac Rex

2020 stats: 37 catches with 12 touchdowns.

Rex was the breakout star of 2020 after seeing an increased role with the injury to Matt Bushman. It will be interesting to see how he follows up that season with a larger role in the offense.

4. Puka Nacua

2020 stats: Nine receptions for 151 yards and one touchdown at Washington.

Nacua gets the start alongside Gunner Romney and Neil Pau’u. It’s arguably the deepest and most talented receiver room in the history of BYU football.

5. Payton Wilgar

2020 stats: 29 tackles with five quarterback hurries.

New linebacker coach Kevin Clune loves Wilgar. He’s a versatile linebacker that will be used all over the field in 2021.

6. Jaren Hall

2020 stats: None. Did not play due to injury.

Only two quarterbacks started and finished the season healthy in the independence era. Zach Wilson last year and Taysom Hill in 2013.

Hall has never finished a game that he started. He’ll look to change that against the Wildcats.

7. Chaz Ah You

2020 stats: One tackle. He only played a few snaps against Navy in the opening game last season.

8. Keenan Pili

2020 stats: 72 tackles with one fumble recovery.

Pili was second on the team in tackles last season. The linebacker position is loaded with talent once again for defensive coordinator Ilaisa Tuiaki.

9. Jake Oldroyd

2020 stats: 13 of 13 field goals.

Oldroyd was a finalist for the Lou Groza award in 2020. His accuracy and range could prove to vital against a tougher schedule.

10 Gunner Romney

2020 stats: 39 receptions for 767 yards with two touchdowns.

Romney feels healthier than ever after getting married in the summer. His wife is a yoga instructor which has helped him become more flexible.

Soak it in Cougar fans. The 2021 BYU Football season is here.

You can hear Matt Baiamonte every Saturday on KSL Newsradio for Cougar Sports Saturday from 12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. or you can find him on Twitter here.