Estimated read time: 7-8 minutes
PROVO — The free safety position at BYU presents one of the more interesting position battles for this coming season, and the competition is due to become even more intense during the coming fall practice session.
Many BYU fans are familiar with incoming four-star freshman Faletau Satuala (6-foot-3, 198 pounds) from Bountiful, who was tabbed by most recruiting services as the Cougars' top signee for 2024.
Satuala is likely to compete at free safety, at least initially, according to BYU defensive coordinator Jay Hill, and will likely warrant a lot of attention when the team begins practices again in early August.
But Satuala isn't the only addition to the free safety room holding a lot of athletic potential.
Meet Matthias Leach, a 6-foot-3, 180 pound three-star athlete from Fort Worth, Texas, who presents a high bar of athleticism that Hill is excited to develop.
"I believe Matthias is one of the best athletes in the state of Texas," Hill said of Leach during signing day activities in February. "The sky is the limit on his potential and athleticism. He's a ballhawk and long-levered, rangy free safety who we need in this program."
Indeed, Leach excelled in both track and on the gridiron for Chisholm Trail High during his prep career, which includes such marks as clearing a 6-foot-10 bar in the high jump and leaping 49.6 feet in the triple jump with still some track season to spare.
With regards to his overall football abilities, Leach's film shows solid instincts and someone who isn't afraid of contact in being employed as both a nickel corner and free safety. When considering Leach's ready football skills, combined with an elite athletic and size makeup, it's easy to understand why Hill is so optimistic about his prospects.
"They're going to see somebody with crazy instincts," Leach said of what BYU fans can expect from him. "When I see something that I've seen a million times, my body just takes me where I need to go."
God's plan
Leach lived his entire life within the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex, where he was raised by a hard-working mother and father who mentored his athletic development every step of the way.
It was a positive environment in every aspect, according to Leach, and one he wasn't looking to necessarily leave as he pursued opportunities to play at the collegiate level. But things didn't work out as planned, although Leach strongly believes another plan worked out better.
"It was God, for real," Leach said when asked what led to him signing with BYU. "When it became time to commit, I was trying to commit to a bunch of schools, and they didn't want me. … And that's when BYU presented themselves, and it was basically God telling me, 'Yeah, you need to (go there). So I'm going to give BYU everything I've got."
Leach received offers from the likes of Louisiana, Miami (Ohio) and Utah State during the recruiting process along with BYU, which was one offer he wasn't anticipating.
"The call really came out of the blue," Leach said of his first contact with Hill. "He told me that if I bought in, that he could do some things with me, and I'm 100% bought in."
Leach grew a connection with Hill immediately, but more importantly, established the degree of trust that is essential for any productive relationship between coach and player.
"There's really no one like him. He's a real and genuine guy," Leach said. "He's going to keep it real with me all the time, and that's somebody that I value, and that I want to play for and work hard for."
Leach plans on arriving in Provo in early June and majoring in sports science.
First season expectations
Leach will be competing against a talented but relatively inexperienced group for a spot on the two-deep roster this fall. Spring practices provided some clarity with how the position will pan out — although who ends up taking the majority of reps for the 2024 season isn't close to being solidified.
Tanner Wall (6-1, 200 Jr.): Wall is BYU's most experienced free safety within the program, and provided solid play at the position last year before having his season upset due to injury. Wall did not participate in full contact drills during spring practices, but is expected to be completely healthy come fall. He is the guy to beat in this room. He has great linear speed, good physicality, high football IQ and good ball skills.
Tommy Prassas (6-2, 190 Fr.): Prassas saw a lot of quality reps at free safety during the spring and acquitted himself very well, placing himself as a distinct possibility for serious playing time at the position as a true freshman. Prassas was pointed out vocally by head coach Kalani Sitake, Hill, and others throughout spring as a newcomer who was performing at a high level. With a good offseason, he could very well become the starter at free safety.
Raider Damuni (6-1, 200 So.): Damuni has lost necessary weight and made strides during the spring practice sessions. He is one of the most versatile defensive backs on the team. While he's expected to compete for a spot at free safety, he'll also likely get plenty of reps playing strong safety during the fall practice session. He may even end up full time at strong safety during fall ball. This would elicit a Micah Harper move to the nickel position.
Faletau Satuala (6-3, 198 Fr.): Satuala was largely viewed as a strong safety or even an outside linebacker prospect when he signed with BYU, but the fact that Hill has him pegged as an option at free safety is interesting. The Bountiful native certainly holds the athletic ability to contribute as a true freshman, but it remains to be seen how quickly and how well he can verse himself in BYU's system. His good linear speed, physicality running the alley and superb ball skills make him an interesting addition to the middle post competition.
Chika Ebunoha (6-0, 185 So.): Ebunoha possesses elite athleticism; and if he can match it with acute football acumen, then he could certainly see himself in the mix. He saw a good amount of reps during the spring, which should benefit him come the August practice session. I predict at the least that he will be an impactful special teams contributor.
Mathias Leach (6-3, 180 Fr.): Leach may be the best athlete out of this group. He is a freak that is still developing as a defensive back. He played wide receiver his first two years of high school and converted to the defensive back field going into his junior year. If Hill likes the clay, I'm optimistic to watch the artisan go to work on his pupil and form him into something spectacular this year. With the right mentorship, Mathias could be a special player for BYU.
Get to know Mathias Leach in this interview on ESPN 960.
Other notes:
I've been told that Ty Burke and Darrien Stewart are no longer with the BYU football program. Burke was a scholarship player, and Stewart is a walk-on who has entered the transfer portal.
Criddle's conclusion:
The free safety spot is definitely a position of intrigue and even concern during the offseason. My eyes will be glued to this position during fall camp. I believe it could very well turn into a strength or a weakness of this defense.
Some would like to go to the portal and find an experienced player that can come in immediately, secure the spot and make an impact. Perhaps Hill will do just that, or perhaps he likes to bring in players that have experience in his complicated defense.
The Weber State pipeline is drying up, and I think it's more likely he'll ride with the group above, but if there is a good and proper fit, don't be surprised if he dips into the portal.
The free safety position needs to be able to communicate pre snap and get the secondary and linebackers into the right coverage, cover the middle post from hash to hash in passing situations, run the alley inside out and make open field tackles, and hopefully have the top end speed to track players that get to the third level of a defense and save touchdowns.
Who above do you think will be up to the task this year?
