I'm currently in the backseat of a car driving back from Boise and got nothing else to do but think about next years team. It's never to early right?

Quarterback:
Loss-Taysom Hill
Projected Starter-Tanner Mangum
Taysom has fought hard here at BYU and battled through 3 season ending injuries that have taken their toll. Even though he's made many mistakes he's put us in a position to win the game every week. However, excited to see what Tanner can do next year.

Running Backs:
Loss: Jamaal Williams, Algeron Brown
Projected Starter-Squally Canada JR
I think we take a big hit here losing Jamaal and also a GREAT blocker in Alge but I think Squally will keep getting better and be a pretty decent back next year as he showed last night.
Looks like El-Bakri will start at fullback and should be decent. Not sure who is below these two on the depth chart? Najee Harris?

Wide Receivers:
Loss: Nick Kurtz, Mitchell Juergens, Garrett Juergens, and Colby Pearson
Projected Starters: Moroni Laulu-Pututau JR, Jonah Trinnaman SR,
Beau Tanner and Aleva Hifo SO might be some who surprise some people. The coaches say they are the top two fastest players on the team and I think both could turn into the Mitchell Juergens of this year and the Mckay Jacobsens of the past. Doesn't look like anyone else is coming in for next year so this group should stay average. I think Moroni will be the "go-to" guy next year!

Tight Ends:
No losses
Projected Starter: Tanner Balderee SR He's turned into a decent tight end. Good blocker and a playmaker at times with a few TD passes.
One name I expect to turn some heads next year is Matt Bushman who just got off his mission. 3 star recruit with over 10 offers and his film looks good! 6'5" and him and Balderee could be a pretty good duo. I really hope the coaches utilize the tight ends more because I believe that was a big key to success for Max Hall and John Beck because they had guys like Johnny Harline, Andrew George, Daniel Coats, etc.

O-Line
Loss: Starters Andrew Eide, and Parker Dawe
Projected Starters: LT - Ului Lapuaho SR who is solid. LG- Keyan Norman SR who hasn't impressed too much C-Tejan Koroma SR who I think is our best lineman RG and RT are up for grabs. Hoping we can solidify the line because football games are won in the trenches and that's why Utah has been so good. We've lost multiple recruiting battles to them including one last year to Garrett Boles who is their best O-lineman this year. A couple years back we lost one to Stanford in Brandon Fanaika who is a JR and their best lineman this year. He's a Tight End but also a blocker at ND in Tyler Luatua who ended up staying at ND. We had a lineman 2 years ago Brayden Kearsley who has since transferred to Oregon State and is their top Lineman. These are big blows..
Guys I expect that could impact. Chandon Herring who is redshirting this year. Coaches have said good things about him. Maybe Motekiai Langi the big 400 LB who gets off his mission in 3 months. Expect Kalani to shoot for a couple JUCO guys for more depth next season.

Defense:
D-Line
Loss: Harvey Langi, Logan Taele, Sae Tautu
Projected Starters: Moses Kaumatule JR, Merril Taliauli JR, Handsome Tanielu SR (He hasn't played much this year but I think he will have a big impact next year)
Another guy that will be pretty good is Trajan Pili #98. He's had a sack in each of the last 3 games and is only a freshman. More of a rotation guy this year but the coaches will probably give him the nod at the right DE side next year. Should be a hidden gem! Most these guys both the ones we lose and those coming back seem the same to me. None really stand out as big playmakers. We rush 4 and hardly ever get pressure and our Secondary is paying for it big time in games like WV, Toledo, and Boise State

Linebackers:
Lose: Hopefully nobody but possibly Fred Warner if he goes to the NFL.
Projected Starters: Fred Warner SR,, Butch Pau'u JR, and Francis Bernard JR. Next year could be a historically year for these linebackers. Such a talented group of players and these 3 are all quick, good tacklers, and most importantly PLAYMAKERS. Can't wait to watch them ball out again. Other guys that should have an impact: Adam Pulsipher JR, Morgan Unga JR. Not sure of anyone else coming in or who is behind them? I've been wondering all year if it would be better if we played with a 3-4 defense and put Harvey Langi at LB. The 4-3 is good for stopping the run though.

Secondary:
Lose: Kai Nacua, Michael Davis
Kai is a ballhawk on defense and has been one of my favorite players to watch at BYU. Loves the game and is a baller. Hope he gets a chance at the NFL. Michael Davis (curious why he didn't play much last night) has speed and rarely gets beat over the top.
Projected Starters:
Troy Warner SO, Dayan Lake SO
Both have had their ups and downs this year but showed last night their potential. They should be a solid group of CB's for us next year.
Micah Hanneman SS and Matthew Hadley at FS. Should have some solid safeties in these two and our secondary should improve! McChesney and Isaiah Armstrong will play some big minutes next year.

Special Teams:
Loss: Jonny Linehan Such a funny guy on twitter and has had a great year. I don't know who is going to replace him. The dude's a legend and our special teams group is going to miss him.
Rhett Almond will probably be the projected starter? I know we have a few kickers on missions who apparently are solid but I don't know who they are. Also I talked to Jake Oldroyd the other day and he didn't get hurt in a game or practice. He tweaked his back a couple years ago in high school and it has been giving him a hard time ever since. He already received his redshirt and hopes to kick for BYU post-mission. Super nice kid and says nobody recruited him out of high school but he always dreamed of kicking at BYU so he sent BYU coaches his film 5 times haha and before fall camp sure enough they came calling.

What I'm getting at hear is the only real way to take our program to the next level is recruiting. Guys like Jamaal Williams, Michael Davis, Kai Nacua, Kyle Van Noy, Cody Hoffman were all decently recruited but NONE were above a 3 star recruit and were all just great athletes in high school that turned into stars! This is why in Kalani I trust. He knows this and is going to do all he can to find these guys. Although we have disadvantages not being in a P5 conference, honor code, etc Kalani is personable over the nest 2-3 years should find some diamonds in the rough and some big names will come to BYU. Even though our class this year doesn't have any flash to it I trust Kalani and he knows what positions we need to recruit and he WILL find those guys. The future is bright. Kalani is the man for the job. Go Cougs!