On paper, it looks like the BYU football team’s defense has some gaping holes to fill.

Four starting defensive linemen (Tyler Batty, John Nelson, Blake Mangelson and Isaiah Bagnah) and two starting defensive backs (Jakob Robinson and Marque Collins) graduated, while another starting safety (Crew Wakley) transferred.

But while replacing those athletes might appear to be a daunting task, Cougar defensive coordinator Jay Hill doesn’t appear overly concerned.

He had a big list of names he brought up when he talked about his defensive after practice at the indoor practice facility in Provo on Monday, many of whom will be needed to step into some of those spots that were vacated by departing players.

He started with senior linebacker Jack Kelly, who he said has “looked like an absolute stud.” Kelly, Harrison Taggart and Isaiah Glasker make up the core of the BYU returners, although Glasker isn’t currently an active participant in spring camp.

“Glasker had a minor surgery on his wrist,” Hill said. “We just want to make sure he is not getting any contact on that. He’ll be fine for the fall. He’s running around and looking good right now.”

Obviously the Cougar defensive line is an area that needed to evolve but Hill said athletes are showing what they are capable of.

He started by talking about Utah transfer Keanu Tanuvasa, who Hill said has made BYU more stout inside. But he had others to talk about as well.

“I like the additions we just added,” Hill said. “There are some really good players we just got. Tausili Akana looks really good right now. Logan Lutui looks good at defensive end. Ephraim Asiata has gained some weight. We have guys stepping up. Keanu is an absolute stud and I like where he is at.

“There have been some defensive tackles emerge as well. JT (John Taumoepeau) is playing well now. We added some new guys and Anisi Purcell looks really good. Time will tell but I like where we are heading.”

He also said having cornerback Mory Bamba return makes a big difference for the Cougar secondary.

“Having Mory Bamba back is a big deal,” Hill said. “Losing Jakob Robinson and Marque Collins, you don’t want to replace all three of the guys who have played a lot. Him coming back helps solidify one of those spots. Jonathan Kabeya has looked outstanding through three practices, so hopefully he’ll continue doing what he’s doing. Trey (Therrian) Alexander has looked good. I see that group stepping up.”

Another area that could be concerning with so many veterans moving on is the loss of leadership, but Hill said he has no concerns in that area at all.

“One thing I love about our defense right now is that we have great leadership, between Keanu and Logan Lutui in the front, Jack Kelly and Isaiah Glasker in the backer group and Tanner Wall in the secondary,” Hill said. “There are a lot of good leaders on this defense, maybe even more so than last year just because they are a year older and I think they’ve really bought into the culture and what we are trying to do.”

Because how he sees things shaking out, he doesn’t expect to have many of his guys moving between different positions.

“Some of the new guys have a chance to bump around,” Hill said. “Ephraim Asiata could play some linebacker, for example. But right now we are trying to get them cemented in the positions they are playing, so I don’t see a lot of that movement.”

He also noted that while there is still a chance the Cougars might look to shore up a position group through the transfer portal, for the most part they are focused on the guys who are already in Provo.

“As spring ball goes on, if there are any injuries or we feel strongly a group need help, we could still do that,” Hill said. We saved a spot just in case but for the most part we don’t see ourselves going there much.”