BYU’s Top 10 Players After Eight Games

BYU is 8-0 and firmly in the hunt for the Big 12 title. The 2024 season has been special so far as the Cougars have a chance to win the Big 12 and make the College Football Playoff. Here are the 10 highest rated players through eight games according to PFF (minimum 80 snaps).

BYU quarterback Jake Retzlaff is not only BYU’s highest-rated player through eight games, he’s also one of the top-rated backs in the country. Retzlaff ranks second among Big 12 defensemen and 13th nationally with at least 150 sacks. Retzlaff has been fantastic, especially over the past few weeks.

Retzlaff has improved in every aspect since last season. He runs the offense, makes tackles, throws with arm strength and accuracy, and has protected the football. He has 10 big throws this season and is only sacked 14% of the time when pressured. His ability to navigate the pocket has greatly improved over the past month. You see his confidence grow as the season goes on.

Retzlaff will be key to BYU’s victory over Utah. If he defends the football, BYU will have a great chance to beat the Ukrainians.

BYU’s offense is much better with LJ Martin in the lineup. BYU’s offense has been very difficult to stop over the past few games, and Martin is a big reason for that. Martin’s ability to see running lanes and make defenders miss is a level above other backs.

In games Martin didn’t play, BYU’s offense gained 43% of its available yards (not including garbage time). In games where Martin played, BYU’s offense gained 69 percent of its available yards. Martin makes this offense championship-caliber.

Darius Lassiter is BYU’s leading receiver after eight games. He has 31 receptions for 504 yards and 4 touchdowns. Lassiter was great, especially after the catch. He leads BYU receivers with 179 yards per catch, averaging 5.8 yards per reception.

Lassiter made BYU history with his game-winning touchdown over Oklahoma State.

The first BYU defender on the list is cornerback Evan Johnson. Johnson has been great in coverage this season. He allowed receptions on 48% of targets, the lowest percentage of any BYU defensive back with at least 40 uniforms.

Johnson is a sophomore, so he will be a starter on BYU’s defense for the next few years.

The rise of Isaiah Glasker was one of the biggest surprises of the 2024 season. Glasker has gone from a rare player in his first two years with the program to one of BYU’s top players on defense this season. Glasker completed eight games. He has 20 stops (a tackle that is an “off” to the offense), tied for most on the team. He has 14 pressure defenders, fourth most on defense. He has two interceptions, the most on defense. Glasker was great for Jay Hill in 2024.

Chase Roberts has a team-high 31 receptions this season. He has 497 receiving yards, just behind Darius Lassiter. Roberts was the first guy when BYU needed to move the chains. He has a team-high 27 first downs.

Harrison Taggart was Jay Hill’s best defensive player in 2024. It also has 19 stops. Taggart was the glue that held BYU’s much-improved defense together. Taggart, like the others on this list, is only a sophomore. He has the makings of a future BYU star.

Jacob Robinson lived up to the preseason hype this season. He has the best tackle rating on BYU’s defense and has been great in coverage as well. Robinson was used by Jay Hill in a variety of ways. He was tasked with pushing the defender 24 times. He created five times the pressure of the defender in 24 attempts.

Reserve midfielder Sione Moa made the top 10. Moa, who has missed the last few games with an injury, was solid in his 86 snaps. Moa wasn’t spectacular in any one area, but he was above average in every aspect. Moa’s return will increase BYU’s defensive depth.

Safety Faletau Satuala is the only true freshman picked in the top 10. Satuala keeps getting better and better as the season progresses. He had his first career interception last Saturday against UCF and his career-high 75.1. Satuala exudes potential – he is a future star at BYU.