About nine months later, Esera remembers the play well and breaks out in a big grin when asked about it.

“I can’t really explain it to people who have never played football, but it’s the best feeling there is,” Esera said. “When you step on to the field after missing it for so long, and then do be able to do what I did is an unbelievable feeling.”

The goal now for Esera is to make a lot more plays like the one against Colorado in abundance.

The only thing hindering from doing as much throughout last season, and unfortunately throughout most of his three years at BYU, has been a litany of injuries. The latest injury incurred was to his foot, which kept him out for most of the 2024 season before recovering in time to play against at full speed for the Cougar’s final game of the season.

Doing as much was sort of a bittersweet moment for Esera. The bitter coming with the prospect of not being able to repeat it for another nine months coupled with the sweetness of knowing what he’s again capable of the next time the Cougars do take the field of play.

“The sky’s the limit for him,” said BYU linebackers Coach Justin Ena. “He’s still young in football, and especially with his linebacker play, but his has all the potential in the world right now. It’s just him translating everything he’s acquired in the classroom and in the weight room on to the football field.”

Ena has observed the progress Esera has made through the offseason and is subsequently bullish on the redshirt sophomore’s ability to lead the defense from his middle linebacker position in the wake of last season’s starter, Harrison Taggart, opting to transfer to Cal.

“He’s modified his body and his foot looks really good,” Ena said. “Now it’s all about him being as strong and as violent as he is in the weight room where he’s seriously unstoppable.”

Aiding in Esera’s cause in becoming a dominant force in the middle of BYU’s defense is who is flanking him. Indeed outside linebackers Jack Kelly and Isaiah Glasker are generally regarded as two of the Cougar’s best position players at any position.

“It’s a blessing being able to play with guys like that,” Esera said. “Having their knowledge and athleticism on either side of me helps so much and it’s a blast being able to play with both of them.”

Off the field Esera has enjoyed his time at BYU immensely as he pursues his degree in business.

“My time at BYU has been amazing and I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else,” he said. “The bonds I’ve built here have been incredible and the academics is a big reason why I chose to come here in the first place. Everything has exceeded my expectations and I love everything about BYU.”

Building depth

Outside of Esera’s expected emergence are a group of young linebackers ready to fill in if necessary this season and develop into future leaders at the position.

As far as those being tasked to back up Esera are players like senior Choe Bryant-Strother and sophomore Ace Kaufusi.

“We moved Choe to middle backer to compete with Siale and he’s done a great job,” Ena said. “Ace Kaufusi can play at all three spots, which is a great thing to have, and he’s looked really good.”

Ena also pointed out Utah State transfer Max Alford has someone who has impressed playing at outside linebacker, along with freshman Pierson Watson, freshman Naki Tuakoi and sophomore Maika Kaufusi, among others.

Altogether it’s a linebacking group that many consider the top position on BYU’s entire team, a designation Ena appreciates, but doesn’t necessarily embrace.

“We’re experienced and deep, we feel, but we have a lot of work to do to be the type of unit we’re capable of,” Ena said. “We have to get better every single day, and that’s we own. We have to have that chip on our shoulder and it’s my job to get this group as motivated as possible to become a great unit.”