PROVO — BYU's first player availability report of the 2025 season produced a few significant additions.
The Cougars listed four players as "out" on Wednesday's initial report, which was released late Wednesday night ahead of the Cougars' conference opener Saturday at Colorado (8:15 p.m. MDT, ESPN).
Here's a look at the Cougars' full report:
OUT
- Jonathan Kabeya, CB
- Jojo Phillips, WR
- Sione Moa, RB
- Choe Bryant-Strother, LB
QUESTIONABLE
- Logan Payne, RB
- Kinilau Fonohema, DE
PROBABLE
- Faletau Satuala, S
- Enoch Nawahine, RB
- Ethan Erickson, TE
- Justin Kirkland, DT
The Buffs' report includes eight players listed as "out," meaning a 0% chance to play, three more "doubtful," two considered "questionable," and seven "probable" — including quarterback Kaidon Salter.
Colorado was also noticeably thin at cornerback, with RJ Johnson considered out and Makari Vickers questionable for Saturday's tilt.
BYU defensive coordinator Jay Hill previously said Kabeya's absence would extend for at least another week. Phillips had surgery for an apparent collarbone injury after the Cougars' 27-3 win over Stanford in Week 2, and Bryant-Strother is expected to miss the season after a practice injury.
Moa's addition to the "out" list is new, after the running back ran for 28 yards on seven carries in BYU's 34-13 win over East Carolina, and also caught three passes for 24 yards for 87 all-purpose yards of offense.
The availability report is a conference-wide requirement, distributed via the Big 12 based on reports from each team's medical staff — usually under the direction of each team's head athletic trainer.
Each team will submit four availability reports throughout the week, which for Saturday kickoffs means Wednesday, Thursday and Friday by 8 p.m. MDT before the final report no later than 90 minutes prior to kickoff.
Players may be designated "available," "probable," "questionable," "doubtful" and "out." Only players listed with another designated must be listed as "available" if their status changes to such.
The designations aren't just for physical reasons, as some coaches have noted — many privately, but a few publicly.
"That's for gambling purposes," Colorado coach Deion Sanders said. "It ain't got nothing to do with us; it's for gambling purposes. That's my thoughts."
BYU offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick hinted Tuesday after practice that the Cougars would likely have a few close calls based on early week practices, and how they are responding to training and treatments.
"We've got some guys who are banged up," Roderick said, "and we'll hopefully find out in the next 24 hours who we will be available and who is not. We took a few lumps in the last game."
One player not listed on the report is Justin Kirkland, the former Roy High defensive tackle and Oklahoma State transfer who hasn't played in the first three games.
Asked if Kirkland would be available for Saturday's game, Hill responded with an emphatic "yes" after the one-time Utah Tech defensive lineman practiced for the first time last week (albeit in limited reps).
The 6-foot-3, 340-pound defensive tackle was listed among the top interior tackles with senior John Taumoepeau, with Utah transfer Keanu Tanuvasa the starting nose tackle.
He joins a group of interior defensive lineman that also includes Southern Utah transfer Anisi Purcell, Weber State transfer Kaufusi Pakofe and freshman Ulavai Fetuli.
"I think they're playing very well," Hill said of his defensive linemen. "There are definitely some things to clean up. There are certainly some good things we're doing, but we've got a lot of areas to improve, too."
