BYU rounds out 2024 signing class with pair of Bay Area LBs 'who can play right away'

PROVO — When BYU head coach Kalani Sitake, linebackers coach Justin Ena, and the rest of the Cougars' coaching staff that were occasionally tasked with recruiting Oakland-area prospects Naki Tuakoi and Sefo Akuila, they saw a pair of linebackers who excelled at rushing the passer and could benefit BYU right away.

They also saw two teammates with high-level Division I offers they could recruit together.

"They are also great friends," Sitake said of the Bay Area duo that were the Cougars' two newest high school signings on Wednesday's national signing day. "They have similar skill sets, and they wanted to remind us that they can play offense, as well. I like that they are ready to play right now; our linebacker group has tons of talent, and we added talent like Jack Kelly who can get after the quarterback, be disruptive and make plays. These guys coming out of high school can do that for us."

The Cougars signed the bulk of their 31-player recruiting class for 2024 during the early signing period in December, but added a few late surprises from the high school ranks on the traditional first Wednesday in February. That includes a pair of teammates from Fremont High in the Bay Area in Akuila and Tuakoi.

Akuila was previously committed to Arizona, but took an official visit to BYU in December and made the move after Jedd Fisch moved from the Wildcats to Washington. The 6-foot-3, 230-pound linebacker was an All-Metro honorable mention by the San Francisco Chronicle who also spent time at quarterback, receiver, defensive end, defensive back, linebacker and punter during his high school career.

Tuakoi, a three-star recruit by 247Sports rated the No. 32 prospect in California, was a first-team Oakland Athletic League selection who had interest from Stanford, Arizona, Michigan State, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Oregon, USC, Utah and Washington State, among others.

"They can get after the quarterback," Sitake said of the duo, "and they're talented enough right now that they can play right away."

The former Stanford commit and his high school teammate join a recruiting class of 25 high school recruits and six transfers, highlighted by Laguna Beach (Calif.) tight end Ryner Swanson and Bountiful High safety/linebacker Faletau Satuala, who signed during the early signing period but publicly committed during the All-American Bowl in San Antonio.

The two-way player who also played basketball and lacrosse for the Redhawks was rated the No. 2 overall recruit in Utah after accumulating 86 tackles with six interceptions as a senior in 2023 to go along with 54 catches for 799 yards and 13 touchdowns en route to Region 5 co-MVP and first-team all-state honors.

While Satuala could "probably play a lot of positions," Sitake said, he'll start out working with defensive coordinator Jay Hill in the safety room.

He's got so much knowledge of the game, but the natural instincts that he has, I think he'll fit exactly what we want in this defense," Sitake said. "He's a guy that is going to find his way on the field. He's got so many unique abilities that are natural to him."

The Cougars also welcomed back eight returned missionaries and/or grayshirts as part of the 2024 class, including six Utah natives, as well as the son of former BYU star and 11-year NFL veteran Chris Hoke and a former Provo High running back and safety who returned from a church mission as a 250-pound defensive tackle:

• Jovesa Damuni, RB, Ridgeline HS (Providence, Utah)
• Cody Hagen, WR, Corner Canyon HS (Draper, Utah)
• Pokaiaua Haunga, RB, Timpview HS (Provo, Utah)
• Dallin Havea, DT, Provo HS (Provo, Utah)
• Sione Hingano, OL, Chandler HS (Chandler, Ariz.)
• Nathan Hoke, LB, North Allegheny HS (Pittsburgh, Pa.)
• Dominique McKenzie, WR, Pine View HS (St. George, Utah)
• Noah Moeaki, TE, American Fork HS (American Fork, Utah)

The group of newcomers also include four transfers, including four-star Weber State addition Jack Kelly from Kearns and former Baylor and USF quarterback Gerry Bohanon.

Add it all up, and the Cougars' additions in 2024 rank No. 57 nationally by 247Sports and the No. 45 class in the service's composite rankings — just behind Pittsburgh, Michigan State and fellow Big 12 foe Kansas.

Bohanon and Western Michigan transfer Treyson Bourguet will add to a quarterback room that also includes incumbents Jake Retzlaff, Cade Fennegan, Nick Billoups and Ryder Burton, as well as incoming freshman Noah Lugo, as the Cougars enter spring practices Feb. 29 without a designated starting signal caller following the departure of Kedon Slovis.

But Bohanon is as excited to compete along with the rest of them, Sitake added.

"This is going to be a battle, and you have to win the spot," he said. "I don't know who is going to be the starting quarterback; I have no idea right now. All you can offer is the chance to compete. … He wants to be a part of this program, he didn't make any demands, and he's fitting in really well in the quarterback room right now with Jake and everyone else."

Related topics