BYU isn't afraid to play underclassmen, but Faletau Satuala doesn't play like a freshman

PROVO — Jay Hill hasn't been afraid to play his underclassmen, either as safeties coach or defensive coordinator, during BYU's 7-0 start to the 2024 season.

If they're ready, they're ready, and Hill and head coach Kalani Sitake have been no respecters of class or scholarship status when making personnel decisions for the 11th-ranked Cougars.

Among the examples are two regular starting safeties Crew Wakley and Tanner Wall, both walk-ons with some experience with the program who have started in defensive backfield for the No. 30-rated total defense in the FBS, including a top-25 pass efficiency defense. Micah Harper, Raider Damuni and Talan Alfrey have also played key roles in their time at BYU in the safety spot.

But so is a group of rising rookies.

Perhaps the only thing more surprising than a defensive secondary that has started — and excelled with — players like Wakley and Wall has been the emergence of freshmen Faletau Satuala, Tommy Prassas and Jonathan Kabeya in Hill's defense.

"Coach Hill always tells us to be ready," Satuala told KSL.com before the Cougars left for Saturday's Big 12 road tilt at UCF (1:30 p.m. MDT, ESPN). "But everyone in our room is always competing for a spot, competing for playing time. It kind of shows that coach is going to put the right people in at the right time. I just trust in him when he puts me in at the right time, Tommy at the right time, or Tanner. He knows when we need to be in, and what situations we're best at."

Satuala has played in six of seven games of his freshman season at BYU, a remarkable start considering the former four-star recruit was leading Bountiful to a 10-5 season en route to Region 5 Co-MVP and All-American Bowl honors less than a year ago.

The 6-foot-4 nephew of former BYU linebacker Jeff Holtry played in 12 snaps in the Cougars' most recent 38-35 win over Oklahoma State. And though he wasn't perfect — Hill candidly admits that no one on his defense was as BYU gave up a season-high in points — the second-year defensive coordinator in Provo didn't hesitate to call his number, either.

"Faletau's a special player; he was one of the best players in the country last year coming out of high school," Hill said. "He's what I talk about with him and Tommy Prassas, in that they are legit, really good freshmen who are pushing for playing time in a group that has got a lot of guys that have started games for us.

"I don't want to say it's a balancing act, but the best players have to continue to rise to the top. I see great things in those young freshmen, Faletau being one of them. He's done a lot of great things since he's been here, and he's only going to continue to get better."

Satuala made his first tackle against Kansas State, posted two more against Baylor as BYU won its first-ever Big 12 road game, and had another against the Cowboys. But he is one of the freshmen who recognizes his mistakes — and what he can learn from them — as much as anyone.

Case in point: On one of Oklahoma State star Ollie Gordon's touchdowns against the Cougars, Satuala was turned into a meme by some Oklahoma State fans when the reigning Doak Walker Award winner hurdled over him on his way to the end zone.

Don't feel bad, rookie; he's done that to plenty of college athletes, right?

"That was probably my real 'welcome to college football' moment," he said with a laugh, before adding, "Stuff like that is going to happen."

His teammates have helped pull him up, too.

"In our safety room, we're all really close," Satuala said. "Everyone trusts each other, and we all really push each other to be better. We're not afraid to ask each other what to do with certain plays. And overall on the defense, coach Hill always tells us, if you do your job, the plays are going to come to you.

"Everyone's just unselfish. ... We know what is best for the team, and what helps the whole team."

That unselfish play will be key for BYU against a UCF team with the third-best rush offense nationally and the Knights' own star running back in RJ Harvey, who leads the Big 12 with 6.69 yards per carry for 890 yards and 11 touchdowns.

"Everyone just wanted to make plays so bad that it might have gotten a little bit selfish," Satuala said. "But I think everyone's turned in, and we're going to put in a lot more work this week to be prepared, knowing that everyone just has to do their job and trust each other."

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