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BYU senior running back Christopher Brooks

Courtesy BYU Photo

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BYU senior defensive back Matthew Criddle

Courtesy BYU Photo

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BYU senior defensive lineman Lorenzo Fauatea

Courtesy BYU Photo

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BYU senior defensive back Kaleb Hayes

Courtesy BYU Photo

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BYU senior fullback Houston Heimuli

Courtesy BYU Photo

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BYU senior defensive back Chris Jackson

Courtesy BYU Photo

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BYU senior running back Lopini Katoa

Courtesy BYU Photo

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BYU senior tight end Lane Lunt

Courtesy BYU Photo

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BYU senior defensive back De'Angelo Mandell

Courtesy BYU Photo

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BYU senior linebacker Pepe Tanuvasa

Courtesy BYU Photo

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BYU senior defensive lineman Alden Tofa

Courtesy BYU Photo

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BYU senior defensive lineman Earl Tuioti-Mariner

Courtesy BYU Photo

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BYU senior offensive lineman Joe Tukuafu

Courtesy BYU Photo

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Below are biographies of BYU’s 13 seniors who will be leaving the program after the season as well as a list of 24 juniors who, due to an additional COVID year of eligibility, may or may not return in 2024.

2022 BYU FOOTBALL SENIORS (13)

2 Christopher Brooks, 6-1 230 RB from Oceanside, Calif.

Joined BYU in January 2022 as a mid-year transfer from Cal, where he rushed for 1,734 yards and 14 touchdowns in his career. … Has played in eight games for the Cougars this year, rushing for 459 yards and five touchdowns on 76 carries (6.0 yards per carry). … Logged a 100-yard rushing game (135 yards) in the opener agaisnt South Florida.

17 Matthew Criddle, 6-1 195 DB from Highland, Utah

Criddle is a walk-on who graduated from Lone Peak High School in 2014. … Served a church mission to Ecuador and was at Snow College before coming to Provo. … Has played in 47 games for BYU and recorded 31 tackles (16 solo) along with an interception last season against Idaho State. … Older brother Ben was a starter at cornerback for the Cougars (2005-07).

55 Lorenzo Fauatea, 6-4 310 DL from West Valley City, Utah

Fauatea was a three-star recruit for the BYU recruiting class of 2017. … In 43 games played, Fauatea has totaled 60 tackles (34 solo) with five sacks, three forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and four quarterback hurries. … Received his bachelor’s degree in sociology in 2022. … Is married to Chastina Fauatea.

18 Kaleb Hayes, 6-0 195 DB from San Bernadino, Calif.

Joined BYU as a transfer from Oregon State in 2021. … In two seasons with the Cougars, Hayes has 55 tackles (49 solo) and played in 21 games, starting 18 at cornerback. … Best game was a seven-tackle performance this season against East Carolina.

35 Houston Heimuli, 5-11 265 FB from Bountiful, Utah

Heimuli came to BYU as a grad transfer from Stanford in 2022. … Served a church mission to Indianapolis (2015-17). … Has played in 10 games this season. … His father, Lakei, played for BYU (1983-86) and was the starting fullback on the 1984 National Championship team. … Graduated with a Human Biology degree from Stanford.

16 Chris Jackson, 5-10 184 WR/DB from Pomona, Calif.

Joined the Cougars in 2020 as a transfer from Mt. San Antonio College (Calif.). … Has played in 25 games for BYU. … As a receiver caught 10 passes for 61 yards. … Has also totaled five tackles (four solo). … Played in all 13 games in 2021 and 25 games in his career. … Changed his number to 29 to play defensive back.

4 Lopini Katoa, 6-1 210 RB from American Fork, Utah

Rushed for 1,653 yards and 25 touchdowns as a senior at American Fork in 2014. … Served a church mission to Independence, Missouri (2015-17). … Has played in 56 games in his BYU career, starting 14. … Has 1,791 yards rushing, 803 yards receiving and scored 27 touchdowns. … Rushed for a career-high 116 yards against East Carolina on Oct. 28. … Is married to Kayla Katoa.

80 Lane Lunt, 6-4 235 TE from Pima, Ariz.

Transferred from Eastern Arizona in 2020. .. Served a church mission to Kennewick, Wash. (2016-18). … Has appeared in 25 games. … Is married to Ashton Riner, who won an NCAA javelin championship in 2022.

5 D’Angelo Mandell, 6-1 192 DB from San Diego, Calif.

Part of BYU’s recruiting class of 2017. … Has played in 51 games in his career, starting 24. … Has totaled 77 tackles (48 solo) and three tackles for loss. … Best game was six tackles against Oregon on Sept. 17. … Is majoring in Family Life.

45 Pepe Tanuvasa, 6-1 245 LB from Tigard, Ore.

Transferred from the Naval Academy to BYU in 2019. … Has played in 35 games in his career, starting 10. … Has made 92 tackles (43 solo) with eight tackles for loss, four sacks, one interception and seven quarterback hurries. … Is majoring in Finance. … Married to Kazna Tanuvasa, an all-conference volleyball player at Utah Valley.

51 Alden Tofa, 6-4 277 DL from West Jordan, Utah

Was part of the BYU recruiting class of 2017. … Has played in 45 games for the Cougars, starting one. … Has 37 tackles (12 solo) with five tackles for loss, one sack and one fumble recovery. … Is majoring in Exercise & Wellness. … Married to Sadie Tofa.

91 Earl Tuioti-Mariner, 6-4 288 DL from Topeka, Kansas

Part of the BYU recruiting class of 2014. … Has played in 46 games in his career, starting 15. … Has totaled 48 tackles (22 solo) with four tackles for loss, three sacks and two quarterback hurries. … Served a church mission to Cape Town, Africa (2014-16). … Married to Lindsay Tuioti-Mariner. … Cousin to former Cougar defensive lineman Travis Tuiloma.

52 Joe Tukuafu, 6-4 300 OL from Glendale, Utah

Served a church mission to Cordoba, Argentina. … Transferred to BYU from Utah State. … Has played in 31 games in his Cougar career, starting 16. … Is majoring in History.

Juniors/Others being honored (24)

Chaz Ah You

Clark Barrington

Bayden Cooper

Blake Freeland

Jaren Hall

Britton Hogan

Jackson Kaufusi

Harris LaChance

Hayden Livingston

Atunaisa Mahe

Jackson McChesney

Puka Nacua

Jake Oldroyd

Keenan Pili

Alema Pilimai

Morgan Pyper

Gunner Romney

Gabe Summers

Max Tooley

George Udo

Masen Wake

Payton Wilgar

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