David Nixon wreaked havoc on the field with Kelly Poppinga for two seasons at BYU. The pair of linebackers combined for 277 tackles, including 31.5 tackles for loss during a 24-month stretch between 2006-07 when the Cougars went 22-4.
Nineteen fast years later, Poppinga is preparing to run his first spring practice as BYU’s defensive coordinator and linebackers coach. Head coach Kalani Sitake elevated the former assistant to succeed Jay Hill, who left the Cougars to join Kyle Whittingham’s new staff at Michigan.
Poppinga inherits enormous expectations and a veteran defense that is on their own impressive 23-4 run over the last two seasons. Nixon expects the success to keep flowing.
“When you talk about Jay Hill leaving, no doubt it’s a loss. Jernaro (Gilford) as well. But for the coaches left behind, these are guys that have been an integral part of what those game plans were,” Nixon told the “Y’s Guys” livestream show this week. “They understand what his defense was trying to accomplish and now they are probably going to put their own spin on it. I think they have some fresh ideas that maybe they had to suppress a little. I’ve challenged (Kelly). He’s excited. He’s learned a lot from different coordinators along the way.”
Playing and developing under Bronco Mendehall’s tutelage, and with star Cameron Jensen lining up next to them in 2006 and Bryan Kehl in 2007, the Cougars’ linebacker-led defense was nearly unbeatable.
BYU finished 11-2 in 2006 and routed Oregon 38-8 in the Las Vegas Bowl. The defense allowed just 14.7 points per game with 24 sacks. In 2007, the Cougars went 11-2 again and knocked off UCLA 17-16 in the Las Vegas Bowl. That BYU defense allowed 18.5 points per game with 32 sacks.
As an assistant, Poppinga has been schooled by Mendenhall, Sitake and Hill and additionally mentored by Gary Andersen, who remains on the BYU staff as a senior analyst.
Last season, the No. 11 Cougars allowed 19.1 points per game with 30 sacks. Every mover and shaker is back except for NFL targets Tanner Wall (safety) and Jack Kelly (linebacker). Poppinga replaced Kelly with Cal’s Cade Uluave, the No. 1-rated linebacker in the transfer portal. BYU also retained Raider Damuni and Faletau Satuala to secure the safety spots.
“I think K-Pop brings the same aggressiveness and mentality that Jay had. I think they were aligned when it comes to the physicality and accountability on the defensive side of the ball,” Nixon said. “If I’m Kelly, I’m licking my chops. I think this defense is going to be elite next year.”
Replacing Kingston
The unexpected loss of receiver Parker Kingston gives spring practice a jolt of urgency on offense.
“The story of spring ball is on offense, getting guys out there getting reps to replace Kingston, who is absolutely dynamic. There is no doubt about it,” said Nixon, a BYUtv football analyst. “Trying to find guys who can step up and be that dude. I wouldn’t be surprised going into the fall to see a lot of Bear (Bachmeier) and LJ (Martin) similar to last year and a lot of play-action off of that and that’s where you find your open receiver.”
New faces
Including Uluave, the Cougars will kick off practice next Friday with 33 newcomers. With Carsen Ryan graduated, USC transfer Walker Lyons and Oregon transfer Roger Saleapaga II bring immediate strength to the tight end position. Oregon transfer Kyler Kasper is expected to add instant help to the receivers room.
In addition, freshmen Enoch Watson (quarterback), Jaron Pula (receiver), Legend Glasker (receiver) and Devaughn Eka (running back) are all eyeing opportunities to make early contributions.
“There are a lot of those pieces that have to understand this offense,” Nixon said. “I think that’s where spring ball reps are huge. You can go into the playbook and watch film to try and learn it all, but you have got to get out there in live reps, especially against a solid defense. That’s how you really learn and demonstrate whether you are a playmaker or not.”
Nixon’s top 5 games of 2026
BYU will play seven home games this fall, beginning Sept. 5 against Utah Tech. The Cougars will face five opponents on the road. Here is David Nixon’s top 5 games on the slate.
5. Arizona at BYU, Sept. 12: “It’s the second game of the year. It’s a game where you set the tone. Arizona isn’t a cakewalk. I like those Big 12 games early in the season because you are still fresh out of camp and you are not banged up yet.”
4. BYU at Kansas, Nov. 21: “Second-to-last game of the year. This one scares me a little bit. BYU has struggled against Kansas. Kansas is in our head a little bit. I don’t love playing at Kansas that late in the season. I feel like the weather can get really weird there. That’s the last road test to pass. If you get that one, hopefully BYU is in the Big 12 championship game again. That is a tricky one.”
3. BYU at TCU, Oct. 3: “You look at what BYU did to them last year (44-13), that’s a revenge game. You don’t get smacked like that and take it easy. They will have it circled on their calendar. TCU on the road, I’ve played in that stadium. It’s loud. That’s a tough road game.”
2. BYU at Utah, Nov. 7: “It’s a really interesting game. Everything builds up to that game and to think what could be on the line there, especially this year with what the Utes have coming back as well, I put Utah at No. 2.”
1. Notre Dame at BYU, Oct. 17: “When you talk about having Notre Dame in your stadium, BYU has waited for them to come to (Provo). The fact that BYU was able to get them this year is just awesome. I put that above the Utes. As hard as that it is for me to say because I love that Utah game, I think you have to put Notre Dame up there.”
Dave McCann is a sportswriter and columnist for the Deseret News and is a play-by-play announcer and show host for BYUtv/ESPN+. He co-hosts “Y’s Guys” at ysguys.com and is the author of the children’s book “C is for Cougar,” available at deseretbook.com.