PROVO, Utah – Sol-Jay Maiava-Peters led BYU football to a bowl game victory in relief of an injured Jaren Hall at quarterback.

In 2023, there won’t be an encore performance at the QB spot for the New Mexico Bowl Offensive MVP. Maiava-Peters is switching from Aaron Roderick’s quarterback room to join Harvey Unga and the running backs.

Sol-Jay Maiava-Peters is moving to running back

BYU head coach Kalani Sitake discussed the 2023 quarterback unit with Cougar Sports Saturday on KSL NewsRadio. The eighth-year headman noted Maiava’s move.

“The only one that won’t be in the mix of the QB competition will be Sol-Jay because he’s moving to running back,” Sitake said to KSL Sports.

BYU overhauled its quarterback unit with the departure of Jaren Hall to the NFL. Pitt and USC transfer QB Kedon Slovis joins the program as a graduate transfer. BYU also added junior college signal-caller Jake Retzlaff and Springville High’s Ryder Burton.

Former Corner Canyon High standout Cole Hagen also joins the QBs after greyshirting last year.

New Mexico Bowl Offensive MVP: Sol-Jay Maiava-Peters 🏈 ✨ #BYU #GoCougs #BYUFootball pic.twitter.com/AhOKUWRY5a

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) December 18, 2022

Maiava’s former QB colleagues, Cade Fennegan and Nick Billoups, will continue to compete at quarterback in 2023.

During the New Mexico Bowl, Maiava showed an ability to make plays with his legs. The former three-star recruit who pulled in offers from Michigan and Oregon early in his prep career ran for 96 yards in the 24-23 win over SMU.

BYU football running back unit snapshot

Maiava joins UNLV transfer Aidan Robbins and heralded high school signee LJ Martin as newcomers at running back. The returning lettermen include Hinckley Folau Ropati, Miles Davis, and Mason Fakahua.

2023 will be Maiava’s fourth year in the BYU football program. Due to the COVID year in 2020, he could still have two more years of eligibility after 2023 in his collegiate career.

BYU kicks off spring practices on March 6. Fans will be able to watch Maiava-Peters and the new-look BYU squad in a spring scrimmage on March 31. The spring season will conclude on April 15.

Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for KSLsports.com and hoMitch’she Cougar Tracks Podcast (SUBSCRIBE) and Cougar Sports Saturday (Saturday from 12–3 p.m.) on KSL Newsradio. Follow Mitch’s coverage of BYU moving to the Big 12 Conference on Twitter: @Mitch_Harper.

Follow @Mitch_Harper