BYU football captain Tyler Batty has opted to return for one more season, utilizing his final year of college eligibility for the 2024 season.
About Tyler Batty Carrer
Tyler Batty, a Second Team All-Big 12 performer in 2023, led BYU in sacks with 5.5, contributing to a total of 57 tackles, nine for loss, and a fumble recovery. His decision to return is made possible by the NCAA’s blanket waiver on eligibility granted during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
In a discussion with KSL Sports on the Cougar Tracks Podcast, Batty shared insights into the decision-making process. “It has been a process in deciding. You know, it wasn’t something that I knew, even a week ago. It’s been a lot of deliberation and a lot of talking with the wife,” Batty stated. “We feel like we have unfinished business, so we’re coming back!”
The disappointing defeat in Stillwater at the hands of Oklahoma State fueled Batty’s desire for a more satisfying conclusion to his college football journey. “It was frustrating. That’s not how I want to go out, and that’s not how I want to play my last year of college football,” he expressed.
Despite having the opportunity to enter the NFL this year, Batty sees returning as the best option. “I felt like coming back and playing another year, improving my draft stock, improving myself as a player, and finishing my college eligibility out. The more I thought about it, ‘what the heck?’ Why not use it all up and don’t have any regrets? You only get this opportunity once.”
By returning, Tyler Batty provides defensive coordinator Jay Hill with a seasoned captain to lead the defense into Hill’s second year with BYU’s defensive staff. Batty’s decision was initially revealed to defensive ends coach Kelly Poppinga, who orchestrated a playful prank on Jay Hill before confirming the good news.
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Looking ahead, Tyler Batty sets clear goals for his final year, aspiring to help lead the squad to more victories and contend for a Big 12 conference championship. While acknowledging that his NFL feedback wasn’t as high as he would have liked, Batty aims to improve and make himself a solidified draft pick.
Having graduated from Payson High School in 2017, Batty has amassed an impressive record at BYU, including 165 tackles, 26.5 tackles for loss, and 15 sacks. His return aligns with the collective goal of the program, aiming to build on their successes with 34 wins during the four seasons Batty has been a crucial part of the team.
