PROVO, Utah – The BYU football team opened up its second week of fall camp on Monday.
Today’s feature highlights veteran offensive line coach Darrell Funk and the Cougar offensive line, including Preseason All-Big 12 selection and Outland Trophy Candidate Kingsley Suamataia, along with Rimington Trophy Watch List honoree Connor Pay.
| 2023 BYU Offensive Line | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| # | Name | HT | WT | YEAR | HOMETOWN, PREVIOUS SCHOOL |
| 79 | Chidester, Kaden | 6-8 | 300 | Fr. | Richfield, UT / Richfield HS |
| 75 | Dawe, Sam | 6-3 | 305 | R-Fr. | Spanish Fork, UT /Spanish Fork HS |
| 56 | Eichorn, Jake | 6-5 | 295 | R-So. | Beaver, UT / Weber State |
| 76 | Etienne, Caleb | 6-8 | 330 | R-Jr. | New Orleans, LA / Oklahoma State |
| 68 | Falaniko, Peter | 6-3 | 315 | R-Fr. | St. George, UT / Pine View HS |
| 65 | Fitzgerald, Ian | 6-6 | 305 | R-Sr. | Hawthorn Woods, IL / Missouri State |
| 77 | Griffin, Jake | 6-5 | 285 | Fr. | Mesa, AZ / Red Mountain HS |
| 73 | Jones, Weston | 6-5 | 285 | Fr. | Romeo, MI / Romeo HS |
| 64 | Keim, Brayden | 6-9 | 310 | R-Jr. | Sandy, UT / Alta HS |
| 61 | Lapuaho, Weylin | 6-4 | 305 | So. | South Jordan, UT / Utah State |
| 60 | Little, Tyler | 6-6 | 295 | R-So. | Gridley, CA / Gridley HS / Butte College |
| 54 | Maile, Paul | 6-2 | 300 | R-Sr. | Salt Lake City, UT / Utah |
| 51 | Makasini, Sonny | 6-3 | 320 | R-Fr. | Provo, UT /Timpview HS |
| 69 | Moala, Simi | 6-7 | 310 | R-Sr. | Inglewood, CA / Utah |
| 74 | Ostler, Trevin | 6-4 | 310 | R-Fr. | Bountiful, UT / Bountiful HS |
| 55 | Paulo, Joseph | 6-8 | 330 | Jr. | College of San Mateo |
| 70 | Pay, Connor | 6-5 | 305 | Jr. | Highland, UT / Lone Peak HS |
| 78 | Suamataia, Kingsley | 6-6 | 325 | R-So. | Orem, UT/Orem HS |
*newcomer
Lost from 2022:Campbell Barrington, Clark Barrington, Blake Freeland, Harris LaChance, Donovan Hanna, Vae Soifua, Lisala Tai, Talin Togiai, Joe Tukuafu, Sione Veikoso
Coach Preview – Darrell Funk
In his third year as the BYU offensive line coach in 2023, Darrell Funk is a 35-year veteran of the coaching ranks, including 10 seasons as a coordinator.
A native of Fort Collins, Colorado, Funk joined head coach Kalani Sitake's staff in February 2021 to work alongside BYU offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick, passing game coordinator and receivers coach Fesi Sitake, tight ends coach Steve Clark and running backs coach Harvey Unga.
Funk has coached offensive line for 27 seasons, including overseeing the offensive fronts at schools like Michigan, Purdue, San Diego State, Colorado State and Ball State in addition to BYU.
In 2022, the Cougars averaged 31.3 points per game while totaling 426.3 yards per game, including 249.7 yards through the air and 176.6 yards on the ground. The BYU offensive line not only powered the run game but also ranked No 1 (PFF, 92.0) in pass protection grades overall and ranked No. 10 in the NCAA statistics for the least sacks allowed at one per game on average. Funk mentored 2022 All-American left tackle Blake Freeland and the offensive front was named College Football News All-Independent Offensive Line of the Year.
In 2021, left guard Clark Barrington earned All-America honors as BYU's offensive line was named to the Joe Moore Award midseason watch list for top offensive lines in the country. BYU finished the year with a top-25 ranking in 32 different offensive statistical categories. Among them, the Cougars ranked No. 3 in red zone touchdown percentage (74.55), No. 6 in most passing plays over 40 yards (18), No. 7 in longest plays overall of 40 or more yards (23), No. 8 in yards per play (6.77), No. 8 in fewest sacks allowed (15), No. 11 in red zone touchdowns (41), No. 12 in passing efficiency (158.66), No. 13 in fewest turnovers (12), No. 14 in passing yards per attempt (8.8), No. 17 in total offense (542.2 ypg), No. 20 in rushing touchdowns (30), No. 21 in total touchdowns (57) and No. 24 in rushing yards per attempt (5.11).