“This was the team in my backyard the whole time,” Cravens said Tuesday after practice. “Being able to play here is something I never imagined.”

After he graduated in 2018, his road took him to Utah and Boise State before he finally got his shot to become a Cougar.

“It was honestly a pretty easy decision — but it was surreal at the same time,” Cravens said. “My family can drive five minutes down the hill and come to a game. This is a great program and it was the best fit for me. It’s been awesome.”

Cravens brings a wealth of experience with him, having played in 27 total games where he has notched 70 total tackles, five tackles for a loss, three sacks, a forced fumble and a pass deflection.

Now he’s looking to make the most of his senior year by contributing to the BYU defensive tackle unit this fall.

“We’re in the second week now and the jumps we’ve made are visible in the film room,” Cravens said. “So as a whole with the D line, I think that we’ve made some huge jumps and as a defense as well.”

He said he likes what he has seen from his squad.

“We call ourselves alphas,” Cravens said. “I think that we lead the defense. Every great defense has a great line that can stop the run, and that’s what we emphasize. Then it’s just helping the guys in our back end. Everything’s just clicking for us right now. All I see is just a bunch of motivated individuals who have come together.”

BYU junior defensive lineman Caden Haws agrees with Cravens’ assessment, saying he likes where the tackles are at right now early in camp.

“We’re way further ahead than where we’ve been in years past,” Haws said. “I’m able to take a different perspective because I’ve been here a while. It’s way different. I’m really happy with where the D tackles are at.”

He sees the group having a good mix of returners and newcomers.

“I think our room in particular is probably the closest position group on the team,” Haws said. “We’ve got a lot of a lot of games played, a lot of leadership. It’s really cool. Everybody’s selfless and just is ready to do their job, ready to do whatever they’re asked to do.”

He feels like the expectations are clear and that is allowing his group to thrive.

“Everyone knows what we are doing every day,” Haws said. “Everything is clear and everyone has a good attitude. I don’t think anyone is coming out expecting to be a starter. I think the mentality has changed to where we are all out here competing and trying to be our best selves every day.”

That’s exactly what defensive tackles coach Sione Po’uha wants to see from the guys.

“Everybody’s on a different skill level,” Po’uha said. “Everybody has different strengths. So if everybody can bring their most elite self to the team, then that’s when it becomes really fun. Helping each individual person just become their best at what they do has always been the goal.”

Each player has individual areas of emphasis as well as the overall team objectives. Cravens said he is trying to prepare physically and mentally for the season.

“Just stay healthy, stay on a routine,” Cravens said. “That’s the best way to do it. What I’ve learned over my years is you have got to have your own routine and you’ve got to be focused. As a team, we really just need to show up. This place is a positive place and I think that really reflects on the players. People want to be here and people they want to play for their coaches.”

Jaren Wilkey, BYU Photo