All-Independent Accolades abound for 2020 Cougars

PROVO, Utah — Coming off an 11-1 season in 2020, BYU has placed a combined 24 players on the Phil Steele All-Independent Teams for offense, defense and special teams.

Six players from BYU's high-powered offense were named to the first team, including five who also earned All-America recognition this postseason. James Empey, who was a first-team All-Independent honoree last season, is again the first-team center joined by offensive tackle Brady Christensen, quarterback Zach Wilson, receiver Dax Milne, running back Tyler Allgeier and tight end Isaac Rex.

Christensen, a second-team All-Independent pick last year, headlines BYU’s All-American contingent on offense with 11 All-America awards this year. Wilson and Milne have also been named to All-America teams, while Allgeier has received All-America honorable mention and Rex garnered Freshman All-America honors this season.

On defense, three Cougars—linebacker Isaiah Kaufusi, defensive tackle Khyiris Tonga and cornerback Chris Wilcox—earned first-team honors. Kaufusi is a repeat honoree after being a second-team Phil Steele pick last year.

2020 All-American kicker Jake Oldroyd, freshman punter Ryan Rehkow and kick returner Caleb Christensen received first-team honors on special teams,

Four Cougars were named to the Phil Steele All-Independent Second Team on offense—running back Lopini Katoa, receiver Neil Pau’u and offensive linemen Clark Barrington and Chandon Herring—while seven Cougar defenders made the All-Independent Second Team, including linebackers Keenan Pili, Max Tooley and Payton Wilgar; safeties Troy Warner and Zayne Anderson; and defensive linemen Zac Dawe and Bracken El-Bakri. Long snapper Britton Hogan also earned second-team accolades.

In all, BYU had a combined 12 players earn first-team awards on offense, defense and special teams, while a dozen Cougars also received second-team recognition. See below for more information the BYU's 2020 All-Independent honorees.

FIRST TEAM—BYU PLAYERS

OFFENSE

QB ZACH WILSON (6-3, 210, Jr.)

No. 8 in Heisman Trophy voting
PFF All-America Second Team & Phil Steele All-America honorable mention
Manning Award Finalist
Walter Camp Player of the Year Semifinalist
Maxwell Award Semifinalist
Davey O'Brien Semifinalist
National Rankings
- No. 2 – points responsible (264)
- No. 2 – passing touchdowns (33)
- No. 2 – passing efficiency (196.4)
- No. 2 – completion percentage (.735)
- No. 3 – passing yards per attempt (10.99)
- No. 3 – passing yards (3,692)
- No. 3 – points responsible for per game (22.0)
- No. 4 – rushing TDs by a QB (10) — No. 20 among all positions
- No. 7 – passing yards per completion (14.95)
- No. 8 – total offense (328.8)
- No. 9 – passing yards per game (307.7)
Top-rated QB among Independents in 11 NCAA categories

WR DAX MILNE (6-1, 190, Jr.)

PFF All-America Second Team & Phil Steele All-America Third Team
Burlsworth Trophy Finalist
Belitnikoff Award Semifinalist
Six 100-yard receiving games
National Rankings:
- No. 4 – receiving yards (1,188)
- No. 6 tie – catches (70)
- No. 18 tie – receiving touchdowns (8)
Top WR among all Independents in receiving yards, yards per game and receptions per game

RB TYLER ALLGEIER (5-11, 220, So.)

No. 8 in nation in rushing yards (1,130) and rushing yards per carry (7.53)
No. 9 in nation in rushing TDs (13) and No. 13 in total TDs (13)
No. 1 among all Independent players in rushing yards (1,130), rushing yards per game (102.7), rushing yards per carry (7.53) and all-purpose yards (118.55) and top running back in rushing touchdowns (13)

TE ISAAC REX (6-6, 247, Fr.)

Freshman All-American (The Athletic)
No. 1 (tie) in the nation – receiving TDs among all TE (12)
No. 1 (tie) in the nation – scoring by any TE (72 points)
No. 3 overall in nation – receiving TDs (12)
National Rankings among freshmen Tight Ends:
- No. 1 – receptions (37)
- No. 1 – receiving yards (429)
- No. 1 – receiving touchdowns (12)
- No. 1 tie – total touchdowns (12)
- No. 1 tie – scoring by non kickers (72 points)

OL BRADY CHRISTENSEN (6-6, 300, Jr.)

Left tackle named to 11 different All-America teams to date in 2020, including six first-team honors
Set BYU record for most All-America awards in a single season
Key member of 2020 Joe Moore Award semifinalists (BYU offensive line unit)
Achieved 96.0 grade at LT by PFF—setting new PPF record for highest graded season by OL player (Penei Sewell 95.5 in 2019)
Only allowed two pressures on 293 pass blocking regular season snaps
BYU offensive line ranks No. 8 in nation for fewest sacks allowed (12 sacks in 12 games)
Helped BYU offense rank No. 4 in scoring (43.5), No. 7 in total offense (522.2), and No. 8 passing offense (322.1), while adding 190.1 yards rushing per game
Part of offensive line that created many explosive play opportunities, helping BYU rank No. 1 for the most plays of 30 or more yards and No. 2 for the most plays of 10+ yards

OL JAMES EMPEY (6-4, 303, Jr.)

2019 All-Indy center and anchor to BYU’s Joe Moore Semifinalist OL unit in 2020
BYU offensive line ranked No. 8 in nation for fewest sacks (12 in 12 games)
Helped BYU offense rank No. 4 in scoring (43.5) and No. 7 in total offense (522.2)
Called protections/blocking for Cougars ranked No. 8 in nation with 322.1 passing yards per game and ground attack that added 190.1 yards rushing
Part of offensive line that created many explosive play opportunities, helping BYU rank No. 1 for the most plays of 30 or more yards and No. 2 for the most plays of 10+ yards

DEFENSE

LB ISAIAH KAUFUSI (6-2, 215, Sr.)

Lott Impact Trophy Semifinalist
Captain of BYU’s No. 9 ranked defense; No. 3 scoring defense
Ranked No. 3 in the nation in fumbles recovered (3)
83 tackles (team leader)
4.0 sacks (team leader)
4.5 tackles for loss; 3 forced fumbles, 1 INT (returned for TD)
Recorded stats in every defensive category except blocked kick and safety
Has five career INTs, including a pick-6 against Texas State on 10/24/2020

DT KHYIRIS TONGA (6-4, 321, Sr.)

Anchor to BYU’s defense making significant impact far beyond recorded stats, allowing Cougars to stop the run and apply pressure in the backfield often with only a three-man front while dropping eight players
Made 36 tackles, with 2.5 sacks and 2.5 tackles for loss and three QB hurries
With unique athleticism for such a big man, he made 5 pass breakups from his DL position, and chased down a ball career from behind to forced a fumble
Helped strong BYU defense in 2020 rank No. 4 in scoring defense (15.3), No. 12 in total defense (317.4), No. 19 in rushing defense (119.9) and No. 24 in passing defense (197.5)

CB CHRIS WILCOX (6-2, 195, Sr.)

BYU’s best cover corner blanketed opponent receivers, often keeping opponent QBs from throwing his way
Made 18 tackles with 1 pass breakup
Helped strong BYU defense in 2020 rank No. 4 in scoring defense (15.3), No. 12 in total defense (317.4), No. 19 in rushing defense (119.9) and No. 24 in passing defense (197.5)

SPECIAL TEAMS

PK JAKE OLDROYD (6-1, 195, So.)

Lou Groza Award Finalist
2020 All-American (2nd team The Athletic, 3rd Team AP, Phil Steele)
Perfect 13-13 field goals in 2020 - the most by an FBS kicker without a miss this season.
More than half of those kicks came from at least 40 yards out, including three from over 50.
- 4-4 FG of 40-49 yards
- 3-3 FG of 50-plus
Made more 50-yard field goals in a perfect season than any FBS kicker since at least 2004.
- Holds BYU record for PATs in a row (72)
60 of 62 extra points in 2020
National Rankings:
- No. 1 tie – field goal percentage (1.000, but most made of any, 13 of 13)
- No. 2 – PATs made (60)
- No. 6 – scoring among kickers (99 points)
Top kicker among all independents in FG%, Points and tied No. 1 for most FG per game
Executed amazingly accurate surprise on-side kick from a regular running kickoff approach to change the momentum in BYU’s comeback win at Houston

P RYAN REHKOW (6-5, 240, Fr.)

Averaged 45.1 yards per punt on 28 kicks but didn’t meet the minimum per-game attempts required by the NCAA to be listed among the national leaders
Season-long boot was 61 yards while sending 8 punts over 50 yards.
Placed 16 punts inside the 20-yard line while having only one touchback
His tremendous hang time limited returns, forcing 14 fair catches and giving BYU a 41.9 net punting average to rank No. 17 in the nation and No. 1 among Independent teams
Great athlete who on rugby-style call on fourth down, ran 49 yards to convert a first down

KR CALEB CHRISTENSEN (5-9, 193, Fr.)

Named Boca Raton Bowl Special Teams MVP in BYU’s 49-23 win over UCF
Averaged 20.6 yards on 16 kick returns with a long of 31 yards in 2020

SECOND TEAM—BYU PLAYERS

OFFENSE

RB LOPINI KATOA (6-1, 210, Jr.)

Key playmaker at running back who was second on team with 444 rushing yards averaging 5.3 yards per carry
Versatile player who was also a weapon adding 293 receiving yards out of the backfield
Ran for 5 touchdowns and added 3 more receiving scores for 8 total TDs
Helped BYU offense rank No. 4 in scoring (43.5), No. 7 in total offense (522.2), and No. 8 passing offense (322.1)

WR NEIL PAU’U (6-4, 215, Jr.)

Had 45 catches to rank No. 2 on team, with 603 receiving yards ranking No. 3 on the team
Recorded 4 receiving touchdowns
Helped BYU offense rank No. 4 in scoring (43.5), No. 7 in total offense (522.2), and No. 8 passing offense (322.1)

OL CLARK BARRINGTON (6-6, 3-2, So.)

2019 All-Freshman honorable mention earned full-time starting role at left guard on BYU’s Joe Moore Semifinalist OL unit in 2020
BYU offensive line ranked No. 8 in nation for fewest sacks (12 in 12 games)
Helped BYU offense rank No. 4 in scoring (43.5), No. 7 in total offense (522.2), and No. 8 passing offense (322.1)
Consistently tough in the interior helped BYU ground attack add 190.1 yards rushing
BYU OL was key to creating many explosive plays in 2020, BYU ranks No. 1 for the most plays of 30 or more yards and No. 2 for the most plays of 10+ yards

OL CHANDON HERRING (6-7, 310, Sr.)

Versatile athlete started at RT, RG and LG on BYU’s Joe Moore Semifinalist OL unit in 2020
Helped BYU offensive line ranked No. 8 in nation for fewest sacks (12 in 12 games)
Helped BYU offense rank No. 4 in scoring (43.5), No. 7 in total offense (522.2), and No. 8 passing offense (322.1), while adding 190.1 yards rushing per game
BYU OL was key to creating many explosive plays in 2020, BYU ranks No. 1 for the most plays of 30 or more yards and No. 2 for the most plays of 10+ yards

DEFENSE

LB KEENAN PILI (6-3, 233, So.)

Made 72 tackles, No. 2 on team, while sharing team-high of 37 assisted tackles with Isaiah Kaufusi, adding 2 TFLs from middle linebacker spot
Named Boca Raton Bowl Defensive MVP after BYU’s 49-23 win over UCF
Helped strong BYU defense in 2020 rank No. 4 in scoring defense (15.3), No. 12 in total defense (317.4), No. 19 in rushing defense (119.9) and No. 24 in passing defense (197.5)

LB MAX TOOLEY (6-2, 215, So.)

Versatile defender for BYU had 44 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, 3 QB hurries, one interception, one pass breakup and one blocked kick
Helped strong BYU defense in 2020 rank No. 4 in scoring defense (15.3), No. 12 in total defense (317.4), No. 19 in rushing defense (119.9) and No. 24 in passing defense (197.5)

LB PAYTON WILGAR (6-3, 245, So.)

Key player in run and pass defense on a BYU defense rated in the top-10 most of the year
Made 57 tackles, No. 3 on team, with 5 tackles for loss, while adding a team-best 5 QB hurries, 4 pass breakups and forced a fumble
Helped strong BYU defense in 2020 rank No. 4 in scoring defense (15.3), No. 12 in total defense (317.4), No. 19 in rushing defense (119.9) and No. 24 in passing defense (197.5)

DL ZAC DAWE (6-4, 271, Sr.)

Led BYU in tackles for loss with 7.0 while teaming with Khyiris Tonga and Bracken El-Bakri to provide a stout 3-man front that was able to not only be effective in stopping the run and but also applying pressure on passing plays with only a three-man rush.
Added 43 tackles with 2 sacks, 2 QB hurries and 2 pass breakups while having a knack for making timely plays to end opponent drives
Helped strong BYU defense in 2020 rank No. 4 in scoring defense (15.3), No. 12 in total defense (317.4), No. 19 in rushing defense (119.9) and No. 24 in passing defense (197.5)

DL BRACKEN EL-BAKRI (6-3, 286, Sr.)

Tough and dependable defensive lineman who teamed with Khyiris Tonga and Zac Dawe to provide a stout 3-man front that was able to not only be effective in stopping the run and but also applying pressure on passing plays with only a three-man rush.
His 52 tackles was tops among defensive lineman while adding 2.5 sacks and 5 tackles for loss and 3 QB hurries
Helped strong BYU defense in 2020 rank No. 4 in scoring defense (15.3), No. 12 in total defense (317.4), No. 19 in rushing defense (119.9) and No. 24 in passing defense (197.5)

S TROY WARNER (6-1, 200, Sr.)

Team captain who started every game and was part of most snaps during the season helping direct BYU’s defense. He also started at corner back when needed as a defensive back who can play both positions.
Led BYU with 2 interceptions, the first of his career, while adding 29 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, 1 QB hurry and 2 pass breakups
Helped strong BYU defense in 2020 rank No. 4 in scoring defense (15.3), No. 12 in total defense (317.4), No. 19 in rushing defense (119.9) and No. 24 in passing defense (197.5)

S ZAYNE ANDERSON (6-2, 210, Sr.)

Team captain was a critical leader for BYU in 2020, playing in 11 of 12 games (missed one due to injury)
Made 41 tackles while adding 2 pass breakups
Helped strong BYU defense in 2020 rank No. 4 in scoring defense (15.3), No. 12 in total defense (317.4), No. 19 in rushing defense (119.9) and No. 24 in passing defense (197.5)

SPECIAL TEAMS

LS BRITTON HOGAN (6-3, 200, So.)

Consistently provided on-target short and long snaps in his first-year as first-string snapper for the Cougars.
With 62 PATs and 13 FGs and 28 punts he helped BYU score points and change field position without mistakes.
Helped BYU offense rank No. 4 in scoring (43.5) in 2020.