When starting middle linebacker Harrison Taggart entered the transfer portal and eventually landed at Cal, most BYU fans saw the departure as a minor weakening of the Cougars’ defense in 2025.

Choe Bryant-Strother saw it as an opportunity. Having transferred to BYU last year after earning a sociology degree in four years at UCLA , Bryant-Strother appeared in nine games at outside linebacker in 2024, making 11 tackles while backing up standouts Jack Kelly and Isaiah Glasker.

The super senior, who is the half-brother of former BYU basketball great Elijah Bryant , played defensive end, outside linebacker and inside linebacker for the Bruins, so when Taggart left he approached BYU linebackers coach Justin Ena and defensive coordinator Jay Hill about moving inside full-time to what BYU

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