Phil Steele names 11 Cougars to Independent All-Conference Teams

ALBUQUERQUE, New Mexico — While BYU prepares to take on SMU in the New Mexico Bowl on Saturday, 11 members of the football team were named today to the 2022 Phil Steele Independent All-Conference Teams for offense, defense and special teams. 

Led by left tackle Blake Freeland, who was also named to the Phil Steele All-American Honorable Mention Team, five BYU offensive standouts were named Independent All-Conference First Team. Joining Freeland on the first team was quarterback Jaren Hall, tight end Isaac Rex, running back Chris Brooks and wide receiver Puka Nacua. 

Three additional Cougars were named to the second team, including wide receiver Kody Epps, offensive left guard Clark Barrington and offensive right tackle Kingsley Suamataia. 

On defense, BYU linebacker Ben Bywater and safety Micah Harper were named to the Phil Steele Independent All-Conference Second Team, while Ryan Rehkow was named the Independent All-Conference First-Team punter. 

Rex was named to the Phil Steele Independent All-Conference First Team for the third time, having previously been honored in 2020 and 2021. Hall, Nacua, Freeland, Barrington and Rehkow were also repeat selections, having been named to one of the Phil Steele Independent All-Conference Teams in 2021.

Freeland has received post-season All-America honors in 2022 from The Associate Press, Pro Football Focus and Phil Steele. 

Cougars selected to the Phil Steele Independent All-Conference Teams

First Team Offense
QB   Jaren Hall
RB   Chris Brooks
WR  Puka Nacua
TE   Isaac Rex
OT   Blake Freeland

Second Team Offense
WR   Kody Epps
OG   Clark Barrington
OT    Kingsley Suamataia

Second Team Defense
LB   Ben Bywater
S     Micah Harper

First Team Special Teams
P     Ryan Rehkow

Phil Steele All-American Honorable Mention Team
OT   Blake Freeland