Building in the Trenches: BYU’s Offensive Line Revival Under TJ Woods

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In the ever-evolving world of college football, games are increasingly won at the line of scrimmage. For BYU head coach Kalani Sitake, that realization led to a pivotal decision following the 2023 season: part ways with veteran offensive line coach Darrell Funk and hire TJ Woods. That gamble appears to be paying off, as Woods has already made a measurable impact both on the field and in recruiting. In 2024, Woods helped elevate a middling offensive line into a key component of BYU’s impressive 11-2 season. Players like Caleb Etienne, Brayden Keim, and Connor Pay saw marked improvements in their technique and consistency before moving on.

“Etienne turned out to be a big part of the 11-2 season and was extremely productive,”

longtime BYU columnist Dick Harmon noted, attributing the leap to Woods’ player-focused development style. Looking ahead to 2025, the offensive line remains a work in progress. While the unit returns experienced players like Weylin Lapuaho, Bruce Mitchell, and Isaiah Jatta, it lacks standout stars. The additions of Kyle Sfarcioc from Weber State and Michigan transfer Andrew Gentry provide a boost, especially considering Gentry's four-star pedigree and reputation as a team leader. Still, questions remain about whether the group can gel quickly enough to handle the rigors of Big 12 competition. Where Woods has truly excelled is on the recruiting trail. In just over a year, he has flipped blue-chip recruits and secured pledges from some of the top high school linemen in the West. Four-star signees like Alai Kalaniuvalu (formerly committed to Oregon) and Bott Mulitalo (who held 13 Power Five offers) headline the class of 2026. Idaho’s Jax Tanner, the state’s Gatorade Player of the Year, also chose BYU over 19 P5 schools including Tennessee, USC, and Michigan.

According to Harmon, Woods’ ability to land top-tier linemen recalls the dominance of BYU’s offensive lines from the Roger French era in the 1980s and ’90s, when the Cougars routinely produced NFL talent and dominated the WAC. “Mulitalo and Kalaniuvalu are the future superstars in the bullpen for Woods,” Harmon wrote, suggesting that BYU’s offensive line might soon be a strength once again. BYU’s current rise in the Big 12 recruiting rankings signals a new era for the Cougars, one built in the trenches. While the 2025 unit may not be elite yet, Woods’ long-term vision is clear: develop talent, recruit relentlessly, and build a foundation for sustained success.