BYU's Darius Lassiter has a big half of football ahead, and then (perhaps) an even bigger decision

SAN ANTONIO — Darius Lassiter was down to one half of his college football career, prepared to leave for the NFL after petitioning for (and receiving) an extra season of eligibility and helping to send his BYU team out with a 10-2 regular season.

But after he sits for the first half of the Cougars' Alamo Bowl against No. 23 Colorado (5:30 p.m. MST, ABC), and plays through the second half, he'll face a big decision: whether to let his last year stand, or run it back again.

Lassiter is one of five BYU players who could potentially return for another senior season after a federal judge ruled in favor of Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia to grant the former junior college player extra eligibility.

The NCAA is appealing the preliminary injunction but not before informing its member schools that the association was unilaterally granting all players who would have otherwise exhausted their eligibility another year in 2025 if they spent at least one year playing non-NCAA football (junior college on NAIA) in that time.

"I think that there's still a lot that's out there to be decided on exactly what that ruling is," BYU defensive coordinator Jay Hill said, "but we do have a few really good players that fall into that on both sides of the ball, and we would be very excited to get those guys back, if we can."

He hasn't made a decision yet, but the thought of returning has crossed his mind, the 24-year-old Lassiter admitted after practice Thursday at Division III Trinity University.

"We've talked about it a little bit," he said. "But the main focus is to be ready for the bowl game, and then we'll talk about it after the bowl game if it's something I'd like to do."

Granted one less half of football because of his involvement in a fight during the second half of the Cougars' 30-18 win over Houston, Lassiter is keeping his sole focus on the Buffaloes, potentially matching up with Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter, and connecting with quarterback Jake Retzlaff.

If Lassiter needs any advice — which he probably doesn't — he can look to one of his teammates who recently made a similar decision.

Chase Roberts had previously thought to end his college career this December, when he was set to graduate from BYU and would have been 24 after playing three seasons and serving a two-year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Calgary, Alberta.

Instead, the 6-foot-4 redshirt junior announced late last week that he was going to "run it back" and return for another run at a Big 12 championship.

"I prayed about it and took it to God, and it felt like the right thing to come back and go win a Big 12 championship. That's going to be the goal," Roberts said. "I'm excited to come back and be a part of this team again. I love my brothers, and it's going to be fun. We're focused on this game, and it's going to be the first game of the (2025) season."

If he had Lassiter's ear — again, another significant "if" — or any of his other teammates mulling a return, Roberts would have them consider what another year in college could do for them.

"Especially at BYU, it's such a special place," said Roberts, who is graduating with a business degree. "You've got to really go to prayer about it, though, and go to God and ask what is going to help you become what he wants you to become.

"For me," he added, "it was staying one more year at BYU, to build me into the man he wants me to become. I need one more year here, and I need one more year to play football and then to reach my goals as a football player and as a man, as well."

Another year for Lassiter, whose dad Kwamie played in the NFL with the Cardinals, Chargers and Rams, would be a significant boost for BYU's offense. The senior had 679 receiving yards and four touchdowns after sitting out the season opener against FCS Southern Illinois — second only to Roberts, who had 843 yards and four touchdowns in 12 games.

Offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick knew there were "some compelling reasons" for Roberts to return to BYU for another year. So an extra season of Lassiter would follow a similar pattern.

"Usually the third and fourth year of a quarterback is when they have a special season," said Roderick, noting Retzlaff will be in his third season at BYU in 2025. "As you're progressing and learning, that third year is the magic. … And I think the chance to play with Jake as a third-year QB is pretty attractive for any receiver."

The returning quarterback in Retzlaff played a key role in Roberts' decision, as well.

"Having Jake back another year, being able to have that connection and work in the offseason, it's going to be so fun," he said. "I think it's only going to up our play as a team and also our opportunities to go play at the next level as well."

But first, Lassiter's focus remains on Colorado and one more half with the Cougars in 2024.

"I've got to make an impact, whether we're up 20 or down," he said. "I've got to go in, and I know what the coaches expect of me to do as soon as I get the opportunity to do it. I've just got to go back out there and execute."

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