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BYU junior defensive lineman Joshua Singh (99) runs a drill during spring camp in Provo on Thursday, March 14, 2024

Aaron Cornia, BYU Photo

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BYU junior defensive lineman Joshua Singh (99) walks across the field with his teammates during spring camp in Provo on Saturday, March 16, 2024.

Jaren Wilkey, BYU Photo

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BYU junior defensive lineman Joshua Singh (99) rushes Cougar quarterback Jake Retzlaff during spring camp in Provo on Tuesday, March 26, 2024.

Aaron Cornia, BYU Photo

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Orem's Joshua Singh (92) attempts to tackle a Salem Hills runner during the 5A football semifinals at Rice-Eccles Stadium on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2019.

Ari Davis, Special to the Daily Herald

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BYU senior defensive tackle Joshua Singh is hard to miss. Listed at 6-foot and 285 pounds, he is a load in the middle of the Cougar defense.

But as BYU prepares for the 2025 season, it’s probably accurate to say Singh has been a little bit overlooked.

The former Orem High star played in all 13 games for the Cougars last fall, notching 10 tackles and 1.5 tackles for a loss as a part of the BYU defensive line rotation.

Since two of the tackles — John Nelson and Blake Mangelson — have graduated and are now preparing for pro football opportunities, this looks like it could be a big year for Singh.

But in general the Cougar interior defensive linemen who have getting the most attention during BYU’s spring camp have been junior Keanu Tanuvasa (a transfer from Utah), senior John Taumoepeau and even junior Anisi Purcell (a transfer from Southern Utah).

Does that bother Singh?

No, he chooses to see the positives.

“I think that’s what’s fun about football,” Singh said after practice on Monday. “At any position, you are always fighting for a spot. They are going to bring in guys to beat me out because it’s always a competition. You’ve got to enjoy it. There’s always another guy coming, so you go play and let your playing do the talking.”

That mentality highlighted why Cougar head coach Kalani Sitake said BYU knows just how valuable Singh is because he improves the team in a variety of ways.

“He’s one of our best leaders,” Sitake said. “He’s always been about the team. He’s been able to teach the guys who have come through. With younger guys and even newcomers who don’t know the scheme, he’s able to put extra time in there. I’ve been really thankful that Josh has been with us for a long time, and he’s been bought in. He’s all BYU.”

Sitake also expects the senior to be a key piece for the Cougar defense this fall.

“He did some really good things for us last year,” Sitake said. “I think he’s done some really good things this spring, and he’s earning more and more trust from (defensive coordinator Jay Hill) and myself. We’ll see if he can take the next step, but it’s going to be a lot of competition at that position. He knows that and I think it helps everybody get better.”

Singh said that the BYU culture of growth and improvement includes building each other up, even when guys are competing for playing time.

“We continue to build that culture every day, every week,” Singh said. “We have a focus, whether it be serving another guy or helping someone out or just doing the little things right, where we always want to build that culture.

“New guys come in every year, freshmen and transfers, and the first thing we want to develop is our culture. We go to eat together, we go do activities together, we go bowling together. We want to build that not just the friendship on the field but the brotherhood off the field as well. When you develop that, it’s hard to beat.”

He saw last year just valuable being a tight-knit group can be during the grind of the season.

“It all translates,” Singh said. “This past year’s team was the closest I’ve ever been on, and we’re building that for this year’s team right now and earlier than we had. I can’t wait to see what we do this fall.”

He took a moment to think about everything he has learned on his football experience, from his days at Orem High through his college career.

“I love the journey,” Singh said. “It’s been a lot of ups and downs, but its alway just helped me become a better man, on and off the field. I’m not the biggest guy. I’m not the lengthiest guy in my room, but I just play and work to refine my technique and keep sharpening my skills.”

He thought for a moment when asked what advice he would’ve given himself as a young Tiger player a few years ago, and then said it would be to focus on his own improvement.

“I would say don’t worry about all the other things,” Singh said. “Focus on your 20 square feet on the field and keep improving, and good things will come your way.”

He believes the BYU defensive line unit has made some nice progress this spring and will be a force to be reckoned with when the games roll around at the end of August.

“As a unit, we’ve been a lot more consistent and a lot more disruptive,” Singh said. “I feel like this group is also really athletic compared to years past and we are doing a lot more in general. We are able to try new things and we’re doing new stunts, so it’s really nice.”