The Best BYU Football Players from All 50 States

Minus a few states...

The Fourth of July has arrived and, in honor of the holiday, I have gone through and picked the best BYU football player from each of the 50 states.

Not every state has had a player on BYU’s roster, and some states haven’t had any major contributors to the Cougar’s cause. Regardless, each state with at least one player to play for BYU is represented here.

Alabama

Robert Parker - RB (1984-86), Alexander City

Parker racked up 1,985 all-purpose yards with 9 total TDs (8 rush, 1 kick return) in two seasons for BYU after transferring from North East Oklahoma.

Alaska

Aaron McCubbins - OL (1997-01), Kenai

The only BYU football player to come directly from Alaska, McCubbins started 24 games in 2000 and 2001, earning Honorable Mention All-MWC nods each year.

Arizona

Max Hall - QB (2006-09), Mesa

Started 39 games from 2007-09, winning a school record 32. He threw for 11,365 yards and 94 TD, both numbers second most in school history, before a brief career in the NFL and CFL.

Arkansas

Caden Haws - DT (2019-present), Little Rock

One of only six Cougars to come from The Natural State, Haws has totaled 86 tackles, 2.5 sacks, and 3 TFL in 38 games (20 starts) at BYU.

California

Tyler Allgeier - RB/LB (2018-21), Fontana

Allgeier ran for 2,899 yards and 36 TD after switching from linebacker during his sophomore year. Set school record for single-season rushing yards (1,601) in 2021.

Colorado

Ryan Denney - DE (1997-01), Thornton

The 2001 MWC Defensive Player of the Year, Denney finished his 2001 senior year with 76 tackles, 7 sacks, 22 TFL, 9 passes broken up, 4 forced fumbles, an interception, and a blocked kick returned for a TD.

Connecticut

Steve Young - QB (1980-83), Greenwich

Heisman runner-up in 1983, Young passed for 8,418 yards and 58 TD while running for 1,073 yards and 19 more TD at BYU before embarking on a Hall of Fame NFL career.

Delaware

None

Florida

Brian McKenzie - RB (1996-97), Sarasota

A JuCo transfer, McKenzie had a productive two years in Provo, running for 1,971 yards and 23 TD while earning Honorable Mention All-WAC honors in 1997.

Georgia

Bart Oates - C (1977, 1980-82), Albany

Quite possibly BYU’s greatest center, Oates was a 2nd Team All-American as a senior in 1982 before embarking on a long pro career where he won three Super Bowls and made five Pro Bowl teams.

Hawaii

Lakei Heimuli - FB (1983-86), Laie

Often overlooked in the debate for greatest running back in school history, Heimuli was a dual threat who totaled over 4,000 total yards of offense in his career.

Idaho

Jason Buck - DT (1985-86), St. Anthony

Only at BYU for two seasons, Buck racked up 24 sacks and won the Outland Trophy before going in the 1st round of the 1987 NFL Draft.

Illinois

Phil Odle - WR (1965-67), Elgin

When he finished his BYU career in 1967, Odle had school records in career receiving yards (2,561) and TD catches (24). Second place? His teammate, Casey Boyette, with 1,111 yards and 9 TD. Odle’s receiving yard record would stand until 1983 and his receiving TD record until 1992.

Indiana

Brad Clark - DB/FB (1989-92), Peru

An occasional two-way player at BYU, Clark caught two TD passes, returned a punt for a TD, and made 132 tackles on defense.

Iowa

None

Kansas

Travis Tuiloma - NT (2010-11, 2014-16), Topeka

A prototypical 3-4 nose tackle who struggled with injuries. Had he stayed healthy, he’d likely rank among the great interior linemen at BYU.

Kentucky

Beau Hoge - QB/RB (2015-18), Fort Thomas

One of only four Cougars to come from the Bluegrass State, Hoge started a couple games at quarterback during the disastrous 2017 season before switching to running back in 2018. Injuries cut his career short.

Louisiana

Norm Dixon - S (1986-90), New Orleans

A solid contributor to the defensive backfield during the Ty Detmer years. Finished with five interceptions and a pick six.

Maine

None

Maryland

Tom Bell - G (1973-74, 1978-79), Gaithersburg

A two-time All-WAC selection and Honorable Mention AP All-American. He started at both tackle and guard for the Cougars and help anchor the line for the first BYU team to finish the regular season undefeated in 1979.

Massachusetts

Matt Cox - T (1991, 1994-97), Walpole

A mainstay on the line in the mid 90s who started 28 games at tackle for the Cougars.

Michigan

Justin Carlson-Maddux - DL (2002-05), Monroe

Starting defensive end on the 2005 BYU team, totaled 5 sacks and 6 TFL that season.

Minnesota

George Harris - WR (1973-77), Burnsville

Injury prone to begin his BYU career, ended on a high note catching 35 passes for 640 yards and 9 TD from 1976-77.

Mississippi

Michael Morris - WR (2004-05), Shannon

Oft-injured JuCo recruit from Itawamba Community College, never made much impact while appearing in only nine games at BYU.

Missouri

Kalani Sitake - FB (1994, 1997-00), Kirkwood

Coach Sitake was a team captain as a senior in 2000 before signing with the Cincinnati Bengals.

Montana

Wayne Baker - DT (1972-74), North West Montana

Solid tackle for the early LaVell Era Cougars. Made 162 tackles before a brief NFL career.

Nebraska

Rich Pearson - WR (1994), Kearney

Of four Nebraskans to ever roster at BYU, Pearson is the only one who lettered.

Nevada

Kyle Van Noy - LB (2010-13), Reno

A defensive playmaker that stuffed the stat sheet at BYU. One of the best, if not the best, linebackers in BYU history.

New Hampshire

Andrew Fales - LB (1998-00), Londonderry

One of only two Cougars from the Granite State, Fales totaled 10 tackles and was a two-time Academic All-MWC honoree.

New Jersey

Don Bushore - HB (1946-49), Patterson

A post-war star for BYU, Blond Don played quarterback, halfback, caught touchdown passes, returned kicks and punts, and picked off a number of passes on defense.

New Mexico

Stacey Corley - RB (1986-90), Grants

Corley did it all for the Cougars, scoring 17 offensive touchdowns. He is also, entering the 2023 season, the only BYU player to return two kickoffs for a touchdown in the same game.

New York

Mekeli Ieremia - DT (1974-77), Tarrytown

Originally from Samoa, Ieremia went to high school in New York. He was a two-time All-WAC selection and was drafted by the Chicago Bears in 1978.

North Carolina

Michael Shelton - DB (2014-18), Raleigh

A solid corner who started 15 games in his career, he also returned 43 punts for 354 yards.

North Dakota

None

Ohio

Eddie Stinnett - RB (1982-83), Springfield

A great receiving threat out of the backfield, Eddie is most remembered for his 14-yard touchdown pass to Steve Young in the 1983 Holiday Bowl.

Oklahoma

Justin Robinson - CB (2005-06), Tulsa

A smaller corner at only 5’7, Robinson was solid cover corner in his two seasons with the Cougars, breaking up 16 passes and intercepting four more.

Oregon

Luke Staley - RB (1999-01), Tualatin

One of the greatest BYU running backs of all time. Won the Doak Walker Award and was a consensus All-American in 2001 despite a season ending injury.

Pennsylvania

John Young - DB (1982-83), Philadelphia

A Snow College transfer, Young was 1st Team All-WAC as a senior in 1983 when he broke up 11 passes and intercepted 7 more.

Rhode Island

Joe McGinn - RB (1957-59), Providence

Not a surprise, there haven’t been a lot of Cougars from the Ocean State, but McGinn is the only real contributor. He had three rushing touchdowns in the late 50s.

South Carolina

Terrence Brown - C (2005, 2008-11), Summerville

A solid starter for the Cougars. Went on to sign with the Dolphins after his BYU days.

South Dakota

George Wing - TB (1939-41), Edgemont

Kicked his varsity career off with a bang when he ran for three TDs and threw another in a 25-0 season opening win against Northern Arizona. Injuries often got in the way but he finished his career with 13 rushing TDs and 2 TD passes.

Tennessee

Mark Brady - DB (1977-81), Oak Ridge

First Team All-WAC as a junior, Brady was a solid defensive back for the first two BYU squads to win bowl games.

Texas

Ty Detmer - QB (1987-91), San Antonio

BYU’s only Heisman winner. Passed for over 16,000 yards and 127 TD. What more can you ask?

Utah

Jim McMahon - QB (1977-81), Roy

Finished his BYU career with 70 NCAA records. It may be controversial, but I’d put him at the top of BYU’s all-time quarterbacks.

Vermont

None

Virginia

Milan Christley - T (1957-59), Salem

A two-year starter at tackle for the Cougars at the end of the 1950s.

Washington

Marc Wilson - QB (1975-79), Seattle

A consensus All-American and 1st round NFL Draft pick who led BYU to their first undefeated regular season in 1979.

West Virginia

Lyle Patton - G (1947-48), Charleston

BYU’s only player from the Mountain State, Patton was a guard who was small but full of fight and aggressiveness.

Wisconsin

Rocky Biegel - LB (1988-91), Wisconsin Rapids

A two-time All-WAC tackling machine who totaled 239 stops in his BYU career.

Wyoming

Brady Poppinga - LB (2001-04), Evanston

A three-time First Team All-MWC selection who totaled 15 sacks and 37.5 TFL before embarking on an eight year NFL career.