BYU Edge Rushers Poised for Breakout Season

Offensive tackle Andrew Gentry highlights two defensive ends who have taken "a big step forward"

Mar. 26, 2026 at 11:06pm

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BYU's defensive coordinator Jay Hill has focused on upgrading the talent along the defensive line, and those efforts are starting to pay off. Offensive tackle Andrew Gentry singled out two edge rushers - Tausili Akana and Hunter Clegg - as players who have made significant improvements and are poised for big seasons in 2026.

Why it matters

BYU's defensive line was an area of concern in recent years, but the influx of high-level talent and development of players like Akana and Clegg could transform the Cougars' pass rush in 2026. A stronger defensive front would be a major boost for the team as they look to compete for a conference title.

The details

Tausili Akana, a transfer from Texas, played a growing role on BYU's defense last season, seeing his snap count increase as the year went on. He had two key quarterback pressures that led to interceptions and recorded a sack. Akana has elite quickness off the edge, and after adding weight to get up to 235 pounds, he's poised for a breakout campaign. Hunter Clegg, a former four-star recruit who flipped from Utah, also impressed as a true freshman, playing the sixth-most snaps on BYU's defense. With a full offseason of training, Clegg could take a big leap forward in 2026.

  • Akana transferred to BYU in January 2026.
  • Clegg returned from his mission in December 2025 and began playing for BYU just 9 months later.

The players

Tausili Akana

A defensive end who transferred from Texas to BYU, Akana played a growing role on the Cougars' defense in 2025 and is poised for a breakout season in 2026 after adding weight to get up to 235 pounds.

Hunter Clegg

A former four-star recruit who flipped from Utah to BYU, Clegg played a significant role as a true freshman in 2025 and could have a breakout season in 2026 with a full offseason of training under his belt.

Jay Hill

BYU's defensive coordinator, who has made upgrading the talent along the defensive line a priority since being hired.

Andrew Gentry

BYU's offensive tackle, who faces the edge rushers in practice and highlighted Akana and Clegg as players who have taken a "big step forward."

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What they’re saying

“Tausili Akana has taken some big steps as a pass rusher, so getting those 3rd down and long distances, I mean Tasilli is going to be a problem off the edge, I think, for a lot of tackles this year. So I'm glad he's on our team and I don't have to block him in the game, but he's looking really good.”

— Andrew Gentry, BYU Offensive Tackle

“Hunter Clegg's also looking really good. He's taking a big step forward this year. But I feel really confident in our edges that we have...it's going to be fun to watch those guys and to see them disrupt some offensive linemen and to watch it from our perspective rather than having to go up against them every day.”

— Andrew Gentry, BYU Offensive Tackle

What’s next

BYU fans will be eager to see if Akana and Clegg can live up to the hype and provide a much-needed boost to the Cougars' pass rush in 2026.

The takeaway

BYU's focus on upgrading the defensive line appears to be paying dividends, with two young edge rushers in Tausili Akana and Hunter Clegg poised for breakout seasons. If they can deliver, it could transform the Cougars' defense and give the team a major advantage as they compete for a conference title.