Whether it be the middle of the college football season, the dog days of summer or the outset of spring camp, recruiting is an ever present part of college football.
There is no such thing as an offseason, and for head coach Kalani Sitake and company, finding the next batch of Cougars is always a priority.
With that in mind, here is a look at BYU’s 2022 recruiting class, with prospects listed according to reporting by 247 Sports, Rivals and the Deseret News.
(All commitments at this point are verbal and non-binding.)
Kaden Chidester
TE — Richfield (Richfield)
6-8, 240
Not rated — 247 Sports
Not rated — Rivals
Offered by BYU on June 16, Chidester committed to the program the following day. Chidester has been a standout basketball player for the Wildcats, but after talking to BYU defensive coordinator Ilaisa Tuiaki and first-year offensive line coach Darrell Funk, he elected to pursue a future in football, with all indications being that he could play in the trenches on either line or at tight end.
Richfield head basketball coach Rand Jane’s comments on Chidester:
“Kaden is a great young man and a hard worker. On the court, he is always communicating with his teammates. He is key to our success defensively. He will bring a big body and a great work ethic to BYU. I am proud of him and wish him all the best.”
Cannon DeVries
ATH — Weber (Pleasant View)
6-0, 160
★★★ — 247 Sports
★★ — Rivals
The 13th-highest rated prospect in Utah — he is rated the 114-best athlete in the country — DeVries chose the Cougars over offers from Colorado and Weber State (he has also received interest from UCLA and Nevada).
DeVries was a do everything kind of player for the Warriors as a junior. On offense, he hauled in 25 passes for 538 yards and eight touchdowns, averaging 59.8 yards per game. On the ground, DeVries added 162 yards and a touchdown. For his career, DeVries is averaging 6.8 yards per carry.
Defensively, DeVries has proven a ballhawk. Last season he recorded 32 tackles and seven interceptions.
Braxton Fely
DL — Timpview (Provo)
6-2, 240
★★★ — 247 Sports
★★ — Rivals
The 23rd-best recruit out of Utah, Fely chose BYU over offers from Air Force, Army, Colorado State, San Jose State and Utah State. Rated the 176th-best defensive line prospect in the country, Fely accounted for 56 tackles and three sacks as a junior for Timpview last season. In his T-Birds career, per the Deseret News’ high school sports database, Fely has racked up 89 tackles and six sacks.
Timpview head coach Andy Stokes’ comments on Fely:
“Braxton understands work. He practices every day just like he plays Friday nights, and he holds others to that same expectation. Whether it is in the weight room, on the practice field or on game day, you will get the same effort from him. He is the kind of athlete you want to build your culture around.”
Brooks Jones
ATH — American Leadership Academy (Queen Creek, Arizona)
6-6, 200
★★★ — 247 Sports
Not rated — Rivals
A dual-sport athlete — he also plays basketball — Jones was offered by BYU on May 17 and committed just under a month later, on June 16. Rated the 44th-best recruit in Arizona by 247 Sports — he is also rated the 177th-best athlete in the country — Jones’ only offer, thus far, is courtesy of the Cougars.
At American Leadership Academy, Jones plays for former BYU quarterback Max Hall (offensive coordinator) and Heisman Trophy winner Ty Detmer (head coach).
Jarinn Kalama
ATH — Wasatch (Heber City)
6-3, 200
★★★ — 247 Sports
★★ — Rivals
Considered the 30th best overall recruit in the state of Utah, Kalama played both wide receiver and safety for Wasatch last season, his first year in Heber City. Statistically, he was one of the Wasps’ most important and explosive offensive playmakers, totaling 54 receptions for 553 yards and 12 touchdowns. In truth, he might be more gifted as a defender and he finished last season with 18 tackles and two interceptions.
Wasatch head coach Steve Coburn’s comments on Kalama:
“Jarrin was a large part of our team success in 2020, helping to lead us to the Region 8 championship. He started in all three phases of the game. Offensively, we did what we could to get the ball in his hands, he was the punt and kick returner and a free safety on defense. Jarrin was a difference maker for us. At BYU, he will bring the versatility that coach Sitake looks for in his players.”
Maika Kaufusi
S — Alta (Sandy)
6-3, 170
★★★ — 247 Sports
★★ — Rivals
The younger brother of two Cougar defenders, Jackson and Isaiah (who just finished his BYU career), Maika has been a key player for the Alta Hawks since he stepped foot on campus. As a junior last season — despite suffering a broken collarbone that forced him to miss the majority of the season — Kaufusi totaled seven receptions for 135 yards and a touchdown while playing wide receiver and added eight tackles as a safety. As a sophomore, he had 37 tackles and an interception.
Alta head coach Alema Te’o’s comments on Kaufusi:
“Maika is a 4-year starter and a tremendous athlete that has great work ethic. Maika will fall in line with his older brothers Jackson and Isaiah at BYU, but I believe he is the more talented, which I’m sure his brothers will agree. Maika is primed to have a big year in the fall after missing most of the season last year due to a broken collar bone. Expect big things from him.”
Liutai Kinikini
ATH — West (Salt Lake City)
6-3, 195
★★★ — 247 Sports
★★ — Rivals
Rated the 17th best player in the state of Utah, Kinikini chose the Cougars over an offer from Weber State. As a junior last season, Kinikini played on both sides of the ball. On offense, he had one reception for 39 yards and a touchdown and also recorded one carry for 10 yards. Defensively, Kinikini tallied three tackles, two against Woods Cross and another against American Fork.
West head coach Olossa Solovi’s comments on Kinikini:
“Liutai is the ultimate teammate. He always does what’s best for the team without hesitation. What he can do on the field is a representation of who he is off the field. Liutai is a humble, hardworking and respectful young man. We love him and his family!”
Noah Moeaki
OLB — American Fork (American Fork)
6-3, 205
★★★ — 247 Sports
★★★ — Rivals
A long-time Cougar commit — Moeaki pledged to BYU in April of 2019 — Moeaki chose BYU over Utah, Utah State, Air Force and San Diego State. Rated the eighth-best recruit in the state of Utah and the 49th-best outside linebacker in the country, Moeaki was a key contributor on the American Fork defense as a junior last season.
He finished the year with 36 tackles, sixth-most by any Caveman, and added a sack and an interception, as American Fork advanced to the quarterfinals of the 6A state tournament.
Cooper Ross
TE — Heritage Academy (Mesa Arizona)
6-5, 245
★★★ — 247 Sports
★★ — Rivals
The seventh commit to BYU for 2022, Ross was offered by the Cougars on June 15 and committed on the same day. Rated the 100th-best tight end in the country and 40th overall recruit out of Arizona, Ross was actually offered a scholarship by BYU defensive coaches, specifically defensive coordinator Ilaisa Tuiaki, raising the possibility of a position change once he arrives in Provo.
Micah Wilson
ILB — Corner Canyon (Draper)
6-2, 195
★★★ — 247 Sports
★★ — Rivals
Ranked No. 21 in Utah, Wilson has picked up where his brothers Zach and Josh Wilson left off. As a junior last season, Wilson racked up 133 tackles and a half sack for the 6A state champion Chargers. Wilson’s tackles were the second-most recorded by any Corner Canyon player, behind only Harrison Taggart.
BYU offered Wilson on Dec. 19, 2020, his only offer thus far, and Wilson committed to the Cougars on April 20, 2021.
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