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BYU’s defense might be even better than last year if some injured stars get healthy

Provo • A half-dozen or so frontline players from BYU’s defense in 2018, a defense that ranked 18th in the country in fewest yards allowed, won’t be back for the 2019 season.

Linebacker Sione Takitaki, cornerback Michael Shelton and defensive end Corbin Kaufusi are doing all they can to be selected in the NFL draft, while defensive tackle Merrill Taliauli and linebackers Butch Pau’u and Tanner Jacobson are presumably finished with football because they didn’t participate in Pro Day last Friday.

The Cougars’ goal is to repeat that defensive success this year and perhaps be a little more disruptive, coach Kalani Sitake said as spring practices wrapped up last week.