With the 2025 college football season fast approaching, excitement is building for BYU Cougar fans, especially as the countdown to kickoff hits 45 days. On this milestone day, attention turns to the player who wears jersey No. 45—sophomore defensive end Viliami Po’uha. A talented young player with a compelling backstory, Po’uha is primed to make an even bigger impact in his second season on the field. After a promising freshman campaign, he enters 2025 with increased expectations and opportunities. Let’s take a deep dive into three fascinating facts about Viliami Po’uha, explore his journey so far, and examine what the future might hold.
1. From Utah Commit to BYU Cougar: A Family Decision with a Twist
Viliami Po’uha’s recruitment was already notable before he ever stepped onto a college football field. A standout defensive prospect from Bingham High School, he was part of the class of 2021 and garnered attention from several schools across the West. Rated as a three-star recruit with a solid 84 grade by 247 Sports, Po’uha fielded offers from programs like UNLV, Washington State, and notably, the University of Utah.
Initially, it seemed Po’uha would follow a predictable path, committing to play for the Utes. There was a family connection—his father, Sione Po’uha, was on Utah’s coaching staff under long-time head coach Kyle Whittingham. For many recruits, such a connection would make the decision straightforward, and for a time, it was. However, life had other plans.
As is common for many players in BYU’s program, Viliami took time away from football to serve a two-year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. During that period, his father made a significant professional change, leaving Utah’s staff to join Kalani Sitake and the BYU coaching team in Provo.
When Viliami returned from his mission and began to reevaluate his future, this shift in his father’s coaching career played a pivotal role in his decision-making. The chance to not only play for a rising Power Four program like BYU but also to stay within the circle of family and familiarity ultimately swayed him to flip his commitment. Instead of donning the red and black of the Utes, Po’uha chose the blue and white of BYU, joining a defense that continues to evolve and strengthen in the Big 12 era.
This recruiting twist highlights not just a player’s changing loyalties but the strong personal and familial factors that influence college decisions. Po’uha’s path to BYU wasn’t straightforward—but it was purposeful, and Cougar fans are now reaping the benefits of that choice.
2. Making an Impact as a Freshman—A Rarity for Returned Missionaries
Returning from a two-year mission and transitioning straight back into Power Four-level football is no easy feat. The physical and mental demands of the sport require time, conditioning, and patience. For many players in similar situations, their first year back is often spent regaining form, reconditioning their bodies, and watching from the sidelines. However, Viliami Po’uha proved to be an exception.
In the 2023 season, just months after his return, Po’uha found his way into all 13 of BYU’s games—a remarkable feat for a freshman, especially one in his situation. While his stats weren’t headline-grabbing, they were certainly promising. He recorded nine total tackles, with seven of those being solo efforts. These numbers reflect not just playing time, but also trust from the coaching staff and an ability to contribute in live-game situations.
What stood out about Po’uha’s freshman performance wasn’t just the tackles but how quickly he adjusted to the pace of college football. His presence on the defensive line gave BYU depth and reliability, even as he continued developing his technique, speed, and instincts. It’s rare to see such immediate production from someone returning from a mission, which makes Po’uha’s freshman campaign even more impressive.
His ability to play all season long indicates that he wasn’t just filler for depth—he was ready, willing, and capable. And that early exposure to game speed will serve him well as he enters year two.
3. Poised for a Breakout Sophomore Season
Standing at 6-foot-3 and weighing in at 265 pounds, Viliami Po’uha has the size and physical tools to be a force on the defensive front. Now, with a full year of experience under his belt, he’s ready to make a leap in 2025.
BYU’s defensive front has undergone some serious upgrades during the offseason, especially along the interior. That should draw more blocking attention to the middle of the line, giving edge players like Po’uha more one-on-one opportunities on the outside. While players such as Logan Lutui and Bodie Schoonover are currently in the mix for starting defensive end spots, Po’uha is firmly in the conversation. Even if he doesn’t start initially, he’s expected to be a major rotational piece, taking on critical snaps each week.
Defensive ends in BYU’s system need to be disruptive. They need to pressure quarterbacks, hold the edge in the run game, and take advantage of mismatches. All signs point to Po’uha being capable of doing just that. His performance last year showed that he can hang with top-tier athletes, and another offseason of conditioning and coaching will only enhance his play.
Perhaps most exciting is the potential Po’uha has to be a breakout player on this BYU defense. As a rotational player, he’ll have fresh legs and chances to feast on tired offensive linemen. With his size, strength, and increasing confidence, 2025 could be the season he starts racking up sacks and tackles for loss. If BYU is going to contend in the Big 12 and make noise nationally, they’ll need defensive players like Po’uha to take the next step—and he’s ready for the challenge.
Looking Ahead: Viliami Po’uha’s Bright Future
As the countdown to kickoff continues, BYU fans can take heart in knowing that they have promising young talent like Viliami Po’uha waiting to unleash his full potential. His journey—from flipping commitments, to overcoming the typical challenges of a post-mission season, to now battling for a bigger role—represents everything that BYU football stands for: grit, growth, and grit again.
Po’uha is still just beginning his college career, and his ceiling remains high. With hard work, health, and opportunity, he could soon be a household name among Cougar fans and Big 12 opponents alike. In a sport where defense often sets the tone, BYU might just find that No. 45 is one of the tone-setters in the years to come.
In short, Viliami Po’uha sharpened his skills as a freshman. In 2025, he’ll be looking to sharpen his claws—and take down quarterbacks.
