Six BYU players named to Phil Steele All-Independent Teams

Six BYU football players were named to the Phil Steele All-Independent Teams on Monday.

The Cougars had two first-teamers on offense and one defensive first-team selection. BYU added an additional second-team selection on offense and defense along with one second-team special teams honoree.

Center James Empey and tight end Matt Bushman were named to the first team on offense. Empey has started every game at center for the past two seasons and earned freshman All-America recognition in 2018. Bushman, another former freshman All-American in 2017, leads BYU in receiving yards for the third consecutive year, with 597 entering the bowl game.

Left tackle Brady Christensen also made the second team on offense after starting every game the past two seasons as well.

On defense, Dayan Ghanwoloku earned first team honors with 60 total tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, 2.0 sacks, two interceptions, two fumble recoveries and one forced fumble.

Linebacker Isaiah Kaufusi was named to the second team. Entering the bowl game he has 53 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, two interceptions, two fumble recoveries and is tied for the team lead with five pass breakups.

Long snapper Mitch Harris was also selected to the second team. Harris has been the primary long snapper for the past three years for the Cougars.

BYU plays the Hawai’i Rainbow Warriors on Tuesday, Dec. 24 in the SoFi Hawai’i Bowl.