BYU’s run of flipping Utah players continued this week.
After taking four-star edge rusher Hunter Clegg from the Utes, defensive coordinator Jay Hill added star defensive tackle Keanu Tanuvasa to BYU’s tally.
Tanuavasa entered the transfer portal on Dec. 23 — after previously saying he’d stay in Salt Lake City. The All-Big 12 honorable mention was one of Utah’s core defensive pieces for the future.
Hill wanted to make the defensive line a priority in this transfer cycle.
The Cougars, fresh off an 11-2 season, are losing most of their starting production from a year ago. Defensive ends Tyler Batty, Logan Lutui and Isaiah Bagnah are all leaving. So too are John Nelson and Blake Mangelson on the interior.
That means the Cougars have to promote from within and add from the portal.
Tanuvasa started 19 games for the Utes and had 17 tackles last year. The redshirt sophomore has two years of eligibility remaining.
In BYU’s win over Utah this year, Tanuvasa had a season-high four tackles.
This is the third Utah player to transfer to BYU this month. The offense signed tight end Carsen Ryan, who was supposed to start for the Utes in 2025.
