In the season opener against Utah Tech, BYU’s Cannon Devries quickly became the talk of the stadium with a series of eye‑catching returns that swung momentum in the Cougars’ favor.
He fielded two punts for 46 and 27 yards, delivering an average return of more than 55 yards per attempt, a figure that underscores his explosiveness and reliability on special teams.
The highlight came in the second half when Devries took a kickoff 103 yards, sprinting past defenders for a touchdown and adding to his total return yardage, which surpassed 170 yards for the game.
Special Teams Impact
BYU’s reliance on special teams has grown, especially given the uncertainty surrounding key contributors such as quarterback Bear Bachmeier and running back LJ Martin, whose availability remains a question mark early in the season.
That dependence was evident as the Cougars leaned on Devries to change field position and generate points without needing a sustained drive, a strategy that could prove decisive in tightly contested Big 12 matchups.
An early offseason misstep by EA Sports, which mistakenly listed Devries in its college football video game roster, was later corrected, confirming his standing as a genuine asset for the program.
With a potent mix of speed, vision, and clutch performance, Devries offers the Cougars a versatile weapon that can influence outcomes on both sides of the ball, bolstering their aspirations for a conference title and a playoff berth.