This key BYU football defender may miss most of preseason training camp with a foot injury

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New BYU defensive coordinator Kelly Poppinga could be forced to start the 2026 college football season without one of the team’s best defenders.

Junior safety Faletau Satuala, named a second-team All-American in 2025 by the Football Writers Association of American, recently broke his foot during a workout at the school and will be out of action for at least eight weeks.

According to a source close to the situation, Satuala is currently in a cast and has been moving around campus in a knee scooter. The source said Satuala “most likely” will not be available to practice when the Cougars begin preseason training camp on Aug. 5. Players report to camp on Aug. 4.

A BYU football spokesperson did not reply to a text seeking confirmation of the Satuala injury as of 2 p.m. Friday. Head coach Kalani Sitake’s general policy is to not confirm injuries unless they are season-ending.

The Satuala news comes three weeks after another possible starter in 2026, receiver Cody Hagen, announced he was medically retiring from football. Hagen played through a torn PCL in BYU’s 25-21 win over Georgia Tech in the Pop-Tarts Bowl, a family member confirmed.

As for Satuala, the 6-foot-4, 215-pound junior from Bountiful High is arguably the top returning defender on Poppinga’s revamped defense. He started in seven games in 2025 and made 84 tackles and three interceptions.

Satuala was named Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week in October for his performance in BYU’s 41-27 win over Iowa State. Satuala recorded the first pick-six of his career in that victory.

He led BYU in tackles in 2025, recording 13 more than the next-highest finisher, departed senior Tanner Wall.

Satuala and senior Raider Damuni are projected to be BYU’s starting safeties this season, with Tommy Prassas, Jarinn Kalama, Matthias Leach the primary backups along with a freshman who impressed in spring camp, Kennan Pula.

Satuala said in April that he was prepared to make a big step forward as a leader of the defense.

“T-Wall was basically the leader of the whole defense,” Satuala said. “He was one of the smartest dudes on the field, and we kind of had that feeling that whatever he said was the way to go. … So I think they are really big shoes to fill.

“Being under him and learning from him and being in the same room has helped give me and Raider a foundation to try and fill those shoes.”

BYU opens the season on Sept. 5 against Utah Tech at LaVell Edwards Stadium.

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