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Utah transfer Keanu Tanuvasa is adding considerably to BYU's defensive tackles

BYU Photo

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BYU's Keanu Tanuvasa (57) reaches for Stanford quarterback Ben Gulbranson at LaVell Edwards Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025.

Courtesy BYU Photo

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Ever since he arrived at BYU, Keanu Tanuvasa has been in the center of it all.

Sure, the 6-foot-4, 300 pound defensive tackle transfer from Utah was assigned the critical defensive center position of nose tackle throughout his initial season at BYU, but it goes beyond even that. Through most media functions Tanuvasa speaks both elegantly and enthusiastically, perhaps as well as anyone within the Cougar football program currently.

During the most recent team interview sessions, which took place at the close of this year’s practice session, Tanuvasa was again tabbed as one of the eight Cougar players presented to the media, and he predictably embraced the opportunity.

“I love BYU and the standards and culture it represents, so it’s easy to speak about something you believe in,” Tanuvasa said. “I mean, look around this room and the great players that I have to surround me, along with the great coaches. I love everything about BYU and I’m proud to represent everything it stands for.”

So it makes sense that it was Tanuvasa making himself central when rallying his defensive teammates when it was announced Jay Hill would be leaving his defensive coordinator post at BYU to join Kyle Whittingham at Michigan in the same capacity. Hill made his move official on the very first day of January and Tanuvasa immediately went to work with more than several current defensive players indicating it was the former Ute standout who led the initiative to bring everyone back.

And it worked, too.

Even though Hill left as an immensely popular and effective defensive coordinator, BYU’s defense returns this coming season largely intact with Tanuvasa’s efforts playing at least some part in all of it.

“Keanu reached out to me almost immediately,” confirmed BYU safety Faletau Satuala, who was pegged as one of the players perhaps most-likely to follow Hill to Michigan. “He kind of took charge of rallying everyone to stay, and it was great to have that.”

As mentioned, it was due to Tanuvasa’s belief, not only in the culture of BYU, but in the actual talent level, which he considers fairly formidable.

“I would say that we have probably the greatest depth of of teams that I’ve been on, and that’s saying something, considering I was a part of a depth on a Utah team that won a PAC 12 championship,” Tanuvasa said. “Look at our team. I could speak to my position group, but I could speak to any position group just as optimistically.”

And sure enough, he began to list them off, touching on every position group and the names that will rise to the forefront this season. With the safeties, it’s known names like Satuala, Raider Damuni and Tommy Prassas, sure, but Tanuvasa is also familiar with relatively unfamiliar names like Canon DeVries, and spoke knowingly and enthusiastically about the developing talent at a position a lot of defensive linemen are typically unfamiliar with.

But knowing about each and every position group, much like the safety position, exemplifies who Tanuvasa is and the role he’s embraced. And like any good leader, he’s quick to credit others.

“I think it’s a testament to BYU winning culture, not just in the last two years, but overall. It’s also a testament to the attitude of the players and the atmosphere that’s here,” he said.

As for his specific role within the defense, it’s likely to change a bit this season, and that’s a good thing.

Due to some unanticipated losses up front, specifically the relative unavailability of Oklahoma State transfer Justin Kirkland due to lingering injury issues, Tanuvasa was charged to play at nose tackle. It was a role he took on relatively well, although it perhaps stunted at least some of his otherwise outstanding playmaking abilities.

This season Kirkland looks to be a full go along with other significant pieces, which should free Tanuvasa up to make even more plays than he did a season ago.

“Last year was was amazing, and I wouldn’t discredit it at all. I learned a lot and needed to go through a lot to be where I am today,” Tanuvasa said. “But now with guys like Justin Kirkland, who are healthy and are playing a true nose guard, because that’s what he’ll play in the NFL, it’s been freeing. I mean, I mean not just mentally, but with the physically in my role.”

Indeed Kirkland, and his 340 pound base should chew up a lot of would-be blockers that will free up Tanuvasa. But the same goes for a group which includes Anisi Purcell, who played through a severe hand injury for most of last season, Viliami Po’uha, exciting newcomer Uluvai Fetuli, among others, which should all help to form a strong base of BYU’s defense.

“I get to play almost really as free as I’ve ever been in that (off-the-ball) technique, which means I’m immediately in the backfield, immediately into a path,” Tanuvasa described enthusiastically. “I’ll rush if I need to. I got guys I can rotate with that I know will be barely less of a drop off, if at all, and it just switches it up throughout the game … So it forces a lot of great freedom on my behalf, and it really excites me for the for this season.”

Considering the stellar play and leadership Tanuvasa showcased throughout last season, Cougar fans should be excited as well.