Lapuaho, all 6-foot-4 and 310 pounds of him, is expected to resume his slot as BYU’s starting left guard after being unavailable due to an undisclosed injury through the first two games played this season. It’s a role Lapuaho is very adept in fulfilling, having started in 23 games since transferring to BYU from Utah State after starting for the Aggies as a freshman.

“It’s huge. Weylin is a very good football player,” said BYU Offensive Coordinator Aaron Roderick of Lapuaho’s return to the lineup. “He’s played a lot of good ball for us. He’s a great leader and he brings some toughness and edge to our football team.”

Lapuaho sat out the initial fall practice sessions, returned to action briefly, before opting to rest his ailment for most of August and through the first two weeks of the regular season. Coaches indicated the former Bingham Miner would be evaluated over the bye week, and if everything looked good, he’d suit up when the Cougars traveled out east to face the Pirates.

Lapuaho provided a clean enough bill of health to again be listed on top of this week’s depth chart at left guard, as it were, and he couldn’t be more excited.

“This could be my last year playing football, so I don’t want to leave anything on the table,” Lapuaho said following Tuesday’s practice session. “I’m trying to get out there and do my best, and try to get better at every little thing that I can.”

Even though he hasn’t been available to contribute on the field, Lapuaho has maintained a strong presence in all the other team functions, lending plenty of knowledge to his less-experienced fellow offensive linemen. He’s also been able to observe how his teammates have fared so far this season and general likes what he’s seen.

“I’ve been very proud of them and the standard they’ve set is definitely raised from last year,” Lapuaho noted. “Their energy, their playing whistle-to-whistle, and just their communication upfront has all improved. I just want to join with them and hopefully add to all the great things they’re doing.”

Lapuaho’s interior position has been filled primarily by Sonny Makasini and SUU transfer Kyle Sfarcioc, both of whom have generally filled in admirably. At the two tackle positions, Lapuaho likes what he’s seen from new starters Andrew Gentry and Isaiah Jatta, both of whom have received high marks from outside grading services, such as Pro Football Focus, which has Jatta as its highest-graded offensive lineman in the country so far this season.

“It doesn’t really surprise me,” Lapuaho said of how Jatta has graded out through two games played this season. “He’s been working his tail off every day and battling through his own nagging injuries, but he’s been balling. He takes every little detail very serious. From his hand placement and everything else, he’s very serious and meticulous in his approach and it’s definitely paying off.”

Lapuaho also likes what he’s seen from Gentry, both on and off the field.

“He adds a lot to what we do with what he learned at Michigan and he’s just another great player with a lot of great experience,” Lapuaho said. “It’s a great group and we all love playing for one another and working together to become the most dominant unit we can.”

Lapuaho will likely add considerably to the group’s production, considering his talent and overall experience, beginning this Saturday versus what he believes is a very good East Carolina defensive front.

“They do a lot of things well and we’re going to have to be on top of everything,” Lapuaho said. “It’s our first road game of the year and I’m just grateful to reach the point where I can get back out there and help in whatever way I can.”