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BYU sophomore safety Tanner Wall makes a tackle during the game against Southern Utah at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023.

Courtesy BYU Photo

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BYU defenders (from left) Tyler Batty, Tanner Wall, Ben Bywater and Blake Mangelson run off the field after getting a stop during the game against Arkansas at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville, Arkansas, on Saturday, Sept. 17, 2023.

Courtesy BYU Photo

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“Take the bet on yourself.”

That’s the best piece of advice for walk-ons, according to BYU junior safety Tanner Wall.

“Trust the process and be willing to do whatever it takes to make your dreams come true and accomplish the goals you have for yourself,” Wall said Tuesday after practice. “This is definitely a place where that is possible because there are coaches who believe in players. They’ve made the promise that the best guys are going to play. If you are a walk-on who grinds until you are the best guy, then you are going to be rewarded. So my message is to out-work everyone around you and find ways to improve that other people might not be doing.”

It’s advice that Wall has lived by, coming in as a walk-on from Arlington, Virginia, and spending time as a receiver before moving to the secondary in 2023.

Now he’s been named the starting free safety for the Cougar defense heading into the 2024 season.

“I’m really excited,” Wall said. “I’m grateful I was able to come back from an injury and recover fully. I feel really good out here, flying around with the boys. It was a heated battle in our room with lots of great players. I think it has elevated all of us to play better.”

BYU defensive coordinator Jay Hill said Wall earned the job by how he went about his business since returning from being hurt.

“I like the whole group but Tanner has been super-consistent,” Hill said. “He shows up every day. He had a great summer and he has graded out well. I’m excited to watch him play.”

It’s not been an easy road for Wall, although he acknowledged that BYU’s NIL approach has helped him out financially, but he said coming in as a walk-on and fighting for opportunities has helped him grow.

“It adds to my character as a player and as a leader,” Wall said. “I think my teammates realize that I’m always going to come in, put my head down and do whatever it takes help us be better and to win. I come with that approach every day and I want to inspire that in them as well.”

Wall said he felt like his time on the offensive side of the ball helped him develop his football IQ and understand how teams will look to attack a defense.

“That’s definitely helped me slow the game down as I’m playing back there,” Wall said. “I’ve also watched a lot of film. Jay Hill is one of the most knowledgeable coaches I’ve been around, so watching film with him has helped me understand and slow the game down. When I’m out there, I just feel super-comfortable. I can play loose and have a lot of fun.”

Wall does bring some experience to the position, having started three games in 2023. But he feels better prepared heading into 2024.

“I’ve learned to trust what I’m seeing a lot more,” Wall said. “I definitely believe in myself as a tackler, as someone who will come down and make the plays that need to be made. I also think I read the field well and understand where quarterbacks are trying to attack. I’m looking forward to building on that.”

He’s had a number of big successes in his life recently beyond just being named the starter, including marrying his wife Corinne in May, graduating in finance and preparing to begin his master’s in business administration graduate program.

But right now his main focus in on playing football, starting with Saturday’s game against Southern Illinois at LaVell Edwards Stadium (6 p.m. MT, ESPN+).

“I’m so amped up,” Wall said. “I feel like I’ve got to tone it down a little bit to not mentally exhaust myself or waste any energy before we get to the game. I’m super-excited.”