BYU Football's Pursuit of Four-Star Recruit Elyjah Staples Intensifies
New BYU defensive coordinator Kelly Poppinga on the first day of 2026 Spring Camp

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BYU football is competing with Cal for four-star athlete Elyjah Staples, who recently narrowed his choices to these two schools. Staples is expected to visit Cal this weekend, with a BYU visit planned for June, making this a pivotal moment in his recruitment.
- 01Elyjah Staples, a four-star athlete from California, has reduced his college choices to BYU and Cal.
- 02Staples previously had offers from schools like Arizona State, Stanford, and TCU.
- 03He attended the BYU fan fest and interacted with coaches, including outside linebackers coach Chad Kauha'aha'a.
- 04Staples is projected to play as an outside linebacker or edge rusher in college.
- 05New BYU defensive coordinator Kelly Poppinga aims to strengthen the team's defensive lineup with recruits like Staples.
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The BYU football program is actively pursuing four-star athlete Elyjah Staples, who has narrowed his college choices to BYU and Cal. Staples, a California native, previously considered offers from multiple schools, including Arizona State and Stanford, but is now focused on these two finalists as he begins his official visits. This weekend, Staples will visit Cal, which is a critical step in his recruitment process, as official visits often lead to commitments. He has already engaged with BYU coaches, including outside linebackers coach Chad Kauha'aha'a during a fan event in Huntington Beach, California. With a height of 6'3 and weighing 205 pounds, Staples is recognized for his athleticism and speed, making him a valuable prospect for BYU's 2027 recruiting class. New defensive coordinator Kelly Poppinga is keen on building a strong defense, and securing a commitment from Staples would be a significant achievement for the coaching staff.
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The recruitment of Elyjah Staples could significantly enhance BYU's football team, particularly its defensive lineup.
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