The 2026 Spring roster was made public by BYU earlier this week in anticipation of spring camp. Only two players—defensive linemen Kendall Wall and Viliami Po’uha—switched positions from the 2025 squad.
Viliami Po’uha, formerly a defensive end and currently weighing 278 pounds, has switched to defensive tackle. Po’uha, the son of BYU defensive line coach Sione Po’uha, may be a natural fit at defensive tackle. Sione was a defensive tackle in the NFL.
Last season, Po’uha played in every one of BYU’s 14 games on defense, and he started the first four contests. He recorded more than 360 defensive snaps and a crucial sack against Iowa State. He was also credited with 17 total pressures, which was tied for fifth-most on BYU’s defense.
Redshirt freshman Kendal Wall will switch from defensive tackle to defensive end. Although Wall signed with BYU as a defensive tackle, his listed weight is only 240 pounds. His weight profile indicates that he is more likely to be recruited to the field as a defensive end.
In the Kalani Sitake era, BYU’s defensive line is the best it has ever been. That talent was mostly inexperienced last year. Now that BYU’s talented young defensive line has gained some experience, it’s time to perform.
Developing a strong defensive line would be the best thing BYU could do to advance. Despite how well BYU performed last season, the Cougars did not rule the trenches on defense. By having a strong defensive line, BYU may win a Big 12 title. The 2026 Spring roster’s defensive ends and tackles are shown below.
BYU Defensive Ends
- Nusi Taumoepeau – Sophomore
- Orion Maile-Kaufusi – RS-Sophomore
- Tausili Akana – RS-Junior
- Kendal Wall – RS-Freshman
- Bodie Schoonover – RS-Senior
- Vincent Tautua – RS-Freshman
- Siosefa Brown – RS-Freshman
- Hunter Clegg – Sophomore
- Kinilau Fonohema – RS-Sophomore
- Braxton Lindsey – Freshman
- Adney Reid – Freshman
These defensive ends possess it when we discuss the defensive line talent at BYU. Hunter Clegg, Braxton Lindsey, Tausili Akana, and Nusi Taumoepeau were four-star prospects. Several other players, including Adney Reid, Kini Fonohema, Bodie Schoonover, and Sefa Brown, chose BYU over several offers from P4 schools.
This group had talent, but they were really young last season. They are, to be honest, still a young bunch. We anticipate that they will have a higher output in 2026, nevertheless, given their increased expertise.
BYU Defensive Tackles
- Viliami Po’uha – Junior
- Maverick McManus – RS-Freshman
- Keanu Tanuvasa – RS-Senior
- Kelepi Latu-Finau – RS-Freshman
- Anisi Purcell – RS-Senior
- Justin Kirkland – RS-Senior
- Ulavai Fetuli – RS-Freshman
- Nehemiah Kolone – Freshman
- David Tangilanu – Freshman
One of the more seasoned groups on the roster will be the defensive tackles for BYU. Keanu Tanuvasa, Justin Kirkland, and Anisi Purcell, all redshirt seniors, will make up the top three players in the rotation. Viliami Po’uha is also expected to be included in the rotation.
Keep an eye on two young freshmen in Ulavai Fetuli and Nehemiah Kolone behind those four. As a genuine freshman, Fetuli saved his redshirt by playing 34 snaps across three games. Nehemiah Kolone chose BYU over a number of P4 schools. He is currently listed as weighing 268 pounds. The starting tackle pair of the future might be Kolone and Fetuli.
