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BYU senior wide receiver Samson Nacua celebrates a touchdown during a game against Virginia at LaVell Edwards Stadium on Oct. 30, 2021. (BYU Courtesy Photo)

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BYU senior defensive end Uriah Leiataua answers questions during a media session in August of 2021. (BYU Courtesy Photo)

Jaren Wilkey/BYU

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BYU senior defensive back Jared Kapisi poses for a photo during Media Day in August of 2021. (BYU Courtesy Photo)

Ryan Campbell

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BYU senior wide receiver Samson Nacua during practice in August of 2021. (BYU Courtesy Photo)

Jaren Wilkey/BYU

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BYU senior wide receiver Samson Nacua poses for a photo during Media Day in August of 2021. (BYU Courtesy Photo)

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BYU senior defensive lineman Uriah Leiataua poses for a photo during Media Day in August of 2021. (BYU Courtesy Photo)

Ryan Campbell

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Senior Day has always been a little different for BYU football.

Mission service, transfers and redshirts usually bring together 15-20 players who started their careers in various recruiting classes for their final home game.

Last season, for instance, 17 seniors linked arms and walked the length of the field for one final moment at LaVell Edwards Stadium. A few weeks later, they were joined by NFL early entrants Zach Wilson, Matt Bushman and Dax Milne in saying goodbye to Provo.

This season the Cougars have just three seniors on the roster heading into Saturday’s home finale against Idaho State but there could be a dozen others who may opt to finish out their careers. A handful of players listed as juniors but finished with their schooling may decide to move on so the Cougars will honor some of them “just in case.”

Just another aspect of life that COVID-19 has altered.

One thing that hasn’t changed is the variety of flavors this year’s seniors represent. There’s a former walk-on (defensive back Jared Kapisi), one of the few remaining Bronco Mendenhall recruits (Uriah Leiataua) and a grad transfer from rival Utah (Samson Nacua).

Kapisi (a native of Hawaii) first joined the BYU program as a walk-on in 2014, then served a church mission to Scottsdale, Ariz. As a special teams and scout team contributor, Kapisi has totaled nine tackles during his career.

“It’s crazy to see how the culture has shifted,” Kapisi said. “I’m basically the only player on the whole team that was there in 2014 and to see how the culture has shifted to the brotherhood we have now. It’s such a big difference. You can see it on the field how everybody is happy when any other player makes a play. It’s been great to see it grow every year.”

Kapisi, who is majoring in supply chain management and unofficially acts as the team barber, could have left last season but chose to return. He said he felt there would be more opportunities for him to play in 2021.

“I relish any role I have on the team that can make a difference,” he said. “I don’t regret coming back.”

Leiataua – a 6-foot-4, 255-pound defensive end – is a quirky, laid-back personality who has been a hit during media interviews as a senior. Injuries have kept him from reaching some of his goals but he has still totaled 58 tackles (27 solo), nine tackles for loss, five sacks and two forced fumbles in his career, including a big hit and fumble recovery last week in the second half against Virginia.

Leiataua was a member of the recruiting class of 2016 out of Compton, Calif.

“There have been a lot of ups and downs since I’ve been here,” Leiataua said. “I remember when Kalani (Sitake) came in you could tell he was making adjustments every year. I really feel like he’s caught his stride the last few years. The freshmen coming in need to understand that this is a place where we want to be successful. I feel like after this year and next, a lot of the guys who experienced the ups and down will be gone. The new guys need to understand when come here it’s to work and cultivate a legacy.”

Leiataua (nicknamed “Lopa” by his teammates) said he got emotional watching fellow defensive teammates Khyiris Tonga, Zac Dawe, Bracken El-Bakri and Isaiah Kaufusi walk across the field in last season’s final home game against San Diego State.

“This year feels more satisfying than sad,” Leiataua said. “I feel grateful and I’m just trying to take it all in.”

Nacua is coming off his best game as a Cougar, matching his younger brother Puka with 107 receiving yards and a touchdown against Virginia.

Samson Nacua graduated from Timpview High School in Provo and played his first four seasons at the University of Utah, totaling 82 catches, 1,015 yards and 11 touchdowns in 45 games. When Puka Nacua was considering leaving the University of Washington, the brothers got together and decided playing on the same team would be cool.

Now, they are both in a BYU uniform and loving life.

“Everybody keeps talking about what it (playing your last game) feels like,” Samson Nacua said. “Coach Fesi (Sitake) talks about the little details and enjoying the little moments, soaking it all in. There are the best year’s you’re not going to get back. It really hasn’t hit me yet. It’s been crazy and it’s been a long ride with a lot of emotions.

“This year I’ve been battling a lot, both mentally and physically. To come out last week just shows that I’m just as good as Puka, I swear to you. It felt good to play some ball and show there would be no drop off even though Gunner (Romney) wasn’t able to play. It was an honor to fill that role and do my thing.”

Samson Nacua said playing with his brother this year has been “just like a movie.” He’s learned a lot about himself and appreciates the opportunities for service playing for the Cougars has provided.

His affect on the team with his positive attitude can’t be overlooked, either.

Why are you smiling all the time, Samson?

“Shoot, I don’t know,” he said. “There’s a lot on everyone’s plate and there’s a lot on my plate. No one is perfect and I’m far from perfect. All we can do smile because our culture is all about love and learning. I’ve learned so much about myself and those around me. I just want to see everyone smiling. At the end of the day I want to be a helping hand.”

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