The Wildcats will face a heightened need for playmakers on defense as two veteran linebackers are hanging it up. Seniors-to-be Jayden Ah You and Alema Tupuola have stepped away from football, WSU spokesperson Paul Grua told the Standard-Examiner.

Limited in a few games by injury, Ah You (native of Orem) totaled 29 tackles, including two for loss, and one fumble recovery in 2024. He totaled 52 tackles over 29 games in three seasons as a Wildcat.

Tupuola (Kaysville) began 2024 as a starter but filled a reserve role down the stretch, making 17 tackles. He totaled 40 tackles in 34 games over three seasons.

Plenty of eyes will be on Sione Hala, the junior Boston College transfer, to make an impact in the linebackers group with those departures — additionally considering the cup of coffee BYU transfer Sione Moa had with Weber State before ending up at Connecticut.

Aizik Mahuka, Mayson Hitchens and Aidan O’Callaghan may factor in that effort, along with Raimoana Tinirauarii and others.

Weber State has also added a pair of redshirt defensive ends from BYU in Porter Small (Springville, Utah) and Boyd Sorensen (Sugar Salem, Idaho).

Jersey number selections are slotting in for the season as well.

In the often-coveted single digits, Hitchens has taken over No. 0, defensive end Keahnist Thompson is No. 1 and UTSA transfer quarterback Jackson Gilkey is No. 2. North Texas transfer QB Cash McCollum (6) and receiver Jaden Thrower (8) are newcomers to single digits. QB Dijon Jennings is taking over the retired-but-not No. 10, worn by Richie Muñoz last year.

Single digits staying the same: safety BJ Carey (3), receiver Jayleen Record (4), running back Chauncey Sylvester (5), cornerback Tre Parks-Vinson (7) and safety Trevian Tribble (9).

Other players changing numbers include Tajon Evans to No. 23 (in his switch from receiver to cornerback), running back Davion Godley from No. 27 to No. 25, and defensive end Kevin Johnson taking over No. 44.

Weber State lost a chunk of starters or main-rotation players from 2024 to transfers. Muñoz first went to Incarnate Word but is now at Tennessee Tech, where he’s competing for the starting QB job with Kekoa Visperas, Eastern Washington’s starter last season. (Former WSU player Chinonso Opara is also listed at Tennessee Tech, apparently in line for his seventh college season after spending 2024 at Long Island University.)

Other outgoing players with new homes are: Zavien Abercrombie (Nevada), Damon Bankston (New Mexico), Terrance Caldwell (Northern Arizona), Bronson Childs (Idaho State), Jagger Childs (Idaho State), Adrian Cormier (Texas-Permian Basin), Frankie Edwards (New Mexico), Peter Knudson (Alabama walk-on), Keayen Nead (BYU), Jalon Rock (Liberty), Lavaka Taukeiaho (Oklahoma State) and Brayden Wilson (Wyoming).