10 Highest-Rated BYU Players After Eight Games

BYU is 8-0 and firmly in contention for the Big 12 title. The 2024 season is special as the Cougars have a chance to win the Big 12 and make the College Football Playoff. Here are the 10 highest-rated players through eight games according to PFF (minimum 80 snaps played).

BYU quarterback Jake Retzlaff is not only BYU’s highest-rated player through eight games, but also one of the highest-rated quarterbacks in the country. Retzlaff ranks second among Big 12 quarterbacks and 13th nationally among quarterbacks with at least 150 dropbacks. Retzlaff has been fantastic, especially in the last few weeks.

Retzlaff has improved in every aspect since last season. He runs the offense, makes good decisions, throws with power and accuracy with his hands, and protects the football. He has 10 big shots this season and is sacked only 14% of the time he’s under pressure. His ability to navigate the pocket has improved significantly over the past month. You can see his confidence grow as the season goes on.

Retzlaff will be key to BYU’s victory over Utah. If he defends the football, BYU has a great chance to beat the Utes.

BYU’s offense is much better with LJ Martin in the lineup. BYU’s offense has been very difficult to stop the last few games, and Martin is a big reason why. Martin’s ability to see running lanes and make defenders miss is on a level higher than other running backs.

In games in which Martin did not play, BYU’s offense gained 43% of its available yards (not counting trash time). In games Martin played, BYU’s offense gained 69% of its available yards. Martin makes this a championship-caliber offense.

Darius Lassiter is BYU’s leading receiver after eight games. He has 31 receptions for 504 yards and 4 touchdowns. Lassiter was great, especially after the catch. He leads all BYU receivers with 179 yards after the catch, averaging 5.8 yards after the catch per reception.

Lassiter cemented himself in BYU history with his winning touchdown over Oklahoma State.

The first BYU quarterback on the list is cornerback Evan Johnson. Johnson has been excellent as cover this season. He allowed receptions on 48% of his targets, the lowest percentage of BYU defenders with at least 40 tackles.

Johnson is only a sophomore, so he will be BYU’s starter on defense for the next few years.

The rise of Isaiah Glasker has been one of the biggest surprises of the 2024 season. Glasker went from playing sparingly during his first two years in the program to one of BYU’s top defensive players this season. Glasker added to the statistics in eight games. He has 20 stops (a tackle considered a “break” for the offense), which is tied for most players on the team. He has 14 quarterback hits, fourth most on defense. He has two interceptions, which are most tied to the defense. Glasker did a great job playing Jay Hill in 2024.

Chase Roberts has 31 receptions this season, a team-best. He has 497 receiving yards, just behind Darius Lassiter. Roberts was a go-to guy when BYU needed to move the chains. He accounted for a team-high 27 first downs.

Harrison Taggart was Jay Hill’s top 2024 cornerback. He also has 19 stops. Taggart was the glue that held BYU’s vastly improved defense together. Taggart, like others on this list, is a sophomore. He has the makings of a future BYU star.

Jacob Robinson has lived up to the preseason hype this season. He has the best tackle on BYU’s defense and is a great coverage player. Jay Hill used Robinson in a variety of ways. He was tasked with attacking the defender 24 times. He pressured the defender five times in 24 attempts.

Reserve midfielder Sione Moa is in the top 10. Moa, who has missed the last few games with an injury, was reliable in 86 snaps. Moa wasn’t outstanding in any one area, but he was above average in every aspect. Moa’s return will add depth to BYU’s defense.

Safety Faletau Satuala is the only true freshman ranked in the top 10. Satuala gets better and better as the season goes on. He had his first career interception last Saturday against UCF and had a career-high grade of 75.1. Satuala oozes potential – he’s a future star at BYU.