A recognizable name is entering the fold at BYU football as UCLA transfer linebacker/edge rusher Choe Bryant-Strother announces his commitment. Bryant-Strother is notably the sibling of former BYU basketball standout Elijah Bryant.
During his college football tenure, the ex-UCLA Bruin competed in 32 matchups. His standout performance occurred in 2022, tallying 22 tackles across 13 games. Bryant-Strother transitioned to the transfer portal in April, showcasing his versatility at UCLA by playing roles such as edge rusher, outside linebacker, and inside linebacker.
Despite completing four years at UCLA, Bryant-Strother arrives at BYU with two years of eligibility still intact. The 2020 season, affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, granted players an extra year of eligibility, and Bryant-Strother’s 2021 campaign could potentially serve as a redshirt year, having only participated in one game that season.
A native of Atlanta, Georgia, BYU recruited Bryant-Strother out of high school. However, he opted to sign with the UCLA Bruins in the 2020 recruiting cycle for previous head coach Chip Kelly.
He joins a BYU defense under second-year defensive coordinator Jay Hill, who wants to improve its pass rush. Last season, BYU finished with 11 total sacks in a year, and they finished with a 5-7 record overall.
Bryant-Strother is the fourth transfer commitment BYU has added since spring practices. It’s a far different look from last year when BYU leaned heavily into transfer portal prospects. BYU has been more selective during the 2024 cycle, prioritizing transfers who will fit Kalani Sitake’s culture in the program.
