Do BYU and Utah both have a top 10 defensive secondary this season?
One news outlet thinks so.
Both the Utes and Cougars appeared on CBS Sports’ Blake Brockermeyer’s list of the top 10 defensive secondaries in the country, with Utah coming in at No. 7 and BYU at No. 10.
Those are the only two Big 12 programs on the list dominated by four SEC schools and also includes two from the Big Ten, another from the ACC, and independent Notre Dame coming in at No. 1.
It’s not a huge surprise to see Utah among a top 10 defensive secondary group — the Utes have been one of the country’s better programs at developing defensive secondary talent in the past decade-plus.
Currently, there are seven former Utah players who played cornerback or safety on an NFL roster.
The Utes’ current secondary is led by safety Jackson Bennee, who had a breakout sophomore season in 2025. The junior from Holladay had four interceptions a year ago — tied for fourth in the Big 12 — and started 11 games for Utah.
“Safety Jackson Bennee headlines the unit after recording four interceptions and nine passes defended last season. Bennee has excellent hands and play(s) with a ballhawk mentality. He impacts every phase of the defense and is one of my favorite safeties in the entire country,” Brockermeyer wrote.
There’s depth at safety with fellow returning starter Rabbit Evans back for his senior season, and local talent Nate Ritchie headed into his junior campaign after a season-ending injury made him miss half of the 2026 season.
At corner, Scooby Davis is also a returning starter — he had a pair of pick-sixs a year ago — and Utah has Rock Caldwell back as the likely option at nickel — he’s a player Brockermeyer said whose “instincts and range give him the potential to become a difference-maker.”
Transfers Elijah Reed (Akron), James Chenault (South Florida) and Nick Brown (Lamar) will compete for the other starting position.
A top 10 rating for BYU in the defensive secondary, however, is a bit more surprising, though it makes sense when looking at the talent the Cougars are returning at the back end of their defense.
The Cougars return three starters in the secondary, a group that includes safeties Faletau Satuala and Raider Damuni, along with cornerback Evan Johnson.
“Faletau Satuala is a massive free safety who looks more like a future NFL linebacker. He combines strong ball skills with a high football IQ, showing an advanced understanding of route concepts and offensive tendencies,” Brockermeyer wrote. “Satuala recorded three interceptions and forced two fumbles last season, making him one of the Big 12’s most intriguing defenders.”
Johnson, meanwhile, is the team’s corner who is coming off a breakout junior season that earned him honorable mention All-Big 12 honors.
“Johnson is a true ballhawk with the press-man ability, smooth backpedal and ball skills that should eventually earn him an NFL opportunity,” Brockermeyer wrote.
Cornerbacks Tre Alexander and Jonathan Kabeya are also expected to play major roles for the Cougars this season.
BYU will face who Brockermeyer rates as the No. 1-rated secondary when the Cougars host Notre Dame on Oct. 17 at LaVell Edwards Stadium.
The Fighting Irish’s headliners are cornerback Leonard Moore, as well as safeties Brauntae Johnson and Adon Shuler.
“The Irish boast the nation’s best secondary, led by the best cornerback in the country, Leonard Moore,” Brockermeyer wrote. “Moore, who had a historic true freshman season in 2024 for the CFP runners-up, is an exceptional athlete who plays sticky coverage with consistent technique, outstanding quickness and excellent ball skills.”
