To conclude season 6, get ready for an inspiring episode of Beyond the Game as host Mike Lacey sits down with former BYU wide receiver Kody Epps. From playing alongside future NFL stars like Bryce Young and Amon-Ra St. Brown at powerhouse Mater Dei High School to becoming the first freshman at BYU to record consecutive 100-yard receiving games, Kody's journey exemplifies resilience and purposeful living.

After catching passes from quarterbacks like Zach Wilson and Jaren Hall, a devastating foot injury nearly ended his career, forcing him into what he calls "deep discovery mode" to understand his body and overcome adversity. Despite not being a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Kody found his favorite classes at BYU were actually his religion courses, where he embraced an "infant perspective" of learning without ego or barriers. His testimony of faith growth led to speaking at President Worthen's fireside, demonstrating how immersing yourself in different cultures and beliefs can strengthen your own spiritual foundation.

Rather than pursuing the NFL, Kody chose to "bet on himself" by retiring from football to launch Sonny Golf Club, his entrepreneurial venture creating magnetic golf ball markers with his business partners. Through stories of overcoming injuries, building bridges across racial and religious diversity, and finding mentorship from professors like Lee Daniels, Kody shares how stepping outside your comfort zone and embracing diversity of thought can solve world problems. His message is clear: find true joy and happiness by pursuing your dreams the right way, surrounded by people who believe in your vision, because "birds of a feather flock together."

Check out Sonny Golf Club: https://www.instagram.com/sonnygolfclub?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==

Video Chapters:

0:00 - Introduction

0:47 - Meet Kody Epps

1:15 - Northern California Roots and Mater Dei High School

2:33 - Elite Competition and High Standards

3:29 - Learning Among Future NFL Stars

4:18 - The Infant Perspective

5:51 - Football Focus at Mater Dei

6:55 - High School Championships and Success

7:31 - College Recruitment Process

7:49 - Spiritual Calling to BYU

9:31 - Lee Daniels as Favorite Professor

11:20 - Sonny Golf Club Business Venture

13:43 - Learning Business from Life Examples

14:02 - BYU Football Career Highlights

15:41 - Bone Injury Crisis

18:15 - Over a Year Recovery Process

18:47 - Support System During Adversity

20:04 - Gratitude to LDS Church as Non-Member

21:23 - Religion Classes at BYU

23:02 - Speaking at President Worthen's Fireside

24:41 - Faith Journey Through Different Schools

25:33 - Current Passions and Golf Obsession

28:01 - Connection with Coach Sitake

28:12 - BYU's Discipline and Honor Code

29:17 - Decision to Retire from Football

30:42 - Purpose Beyond Football

32:22 - Sonny Golf Club Partnership

33:14 - Advice for Diverse Athletes at BYU

35:48 - Diversity and Team Unity

38:07 - Diversity of Thought Philosophy

39:31 - Final Message

Get ready for an inspiring episode of Beyond the Game as host Mike Lacey sits down with Kelly Popinga, BYU Football's Special Teams Coordinator and Defensive Ends Coach. From earning the nickname "K-Pop" from a teammate's daily dose joke to becoming "Coach Pop" at Virginia and beyond, Kelly's journey exemplifies loyalty, growth, and the power of relationships in college football. After transferring from Utah State to play for Bronco Mendenhall, Kelly developed into a team captain and defensive leader before beginning his coaching career.

His coaching philosophy centers on building trust through truth-telling and accountability while creating family-like bonds with players - taking them golfing, having them over for dinner, and developing the tight-knit connections essential for special teams success. Kelly shares the secrets behind BYU's creative special teams plays, including the famous "MJ" fake field goal against UCF that required weeks of practice with punter Sam Vanderhaar. He explains how special teams gets roughly 30 opportunities per game to impact field position and momentum through "complementary football." From managing the tension between offensive and defensive coordinators who don't want to give up players, to recruiting diverse talent that embraces BYU's culture of focus and minimal distractions, Kelly reveals how the program builds unity across different backgrounds and beliefs.

Through stories of player leadership, defensive schemes that confused Colorado's Shedeur Sanders, and the reality of coaching loyalty in modern college football, Kelly demonstrates how staying true to your values while adapting and growing can create lasting impact both on and off the field.

Get ready for an exciting episode of Beyond the Game as host Mike Lacey sits down with BYU football standouts Lamason Waller and Tre Alexander. Fresh faces to the program, these talented young athletes share their journey from their hometowns to BYU's football program. Waller, a highly-rated wide receiver from Hesperia, California who graduated high school early to join BYU, and Alexander, a cornerback from East Atlanta who already has an Alamo Bowl appearance under his belt, offer unique perspectives on their transition to college athletics.

The pair discuss the culture of "love and learn" at BYU, their strong defensive backfield, and what separated BYU from other prestigious programs during their recruitment. Tre shares how his relationship with former teammate Keelan Marion "Unc" influenced his decision, while Lamason explains his motivation to be a role model for kids in his hometown. Through stories of overcoming challenges, adapting to college life, and embracing their roles on the team, Lamason and Tre demonstrate the "humble and hungry" mentality that defines BYU football.

Follow Beyond the Game on Social Media: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://hoo.be/btg45podcast⁠⁠

Video Chapters:

00:00 - Introduction

00:41 - Meeting Lamason Waller and Tre Alexander

01:24 - Spring Football Experience

02:31 - Player Backgrounds and Physical Attributes

03:10 - Challenges of Being a Tall Cornerback

04:06 - College Transition and Academic Adjustment

05:51 - BYU's Standout Defensive Backfield

07:02 - Coaching Impact on Defensive Performance

09:05 - Team Culture and Brotherhood at BYU

10:39 - Support Among Teammates Across Classes

12:41 - What Makes a Great Wide Receiver

14:18 - Cornerback Technique Against Skilled Receivers

16:41 - Learning from Coaching Staff and Teammates

18:16 - Pressure is a Privilege - Tre's Perspective

20:00 - Looking Forward to Improving on Last Season

22:01 - Why They Chose BYU Over Other Programs

24:18 - Adjusting to Utah's Climate and Culture26:11 - "Humble and Hungry" Team Mentality

27:14 - Discussing Standout Teammates and Team Dynamics

31:23 - Running Back Room Dynamics and Playing Styles

34:05 - Tre Alexander's Personal Journey from Atlanta

42:02 - Academic Success and Future Goals

43:34 - Lamason Waller's Story from Hesperia, California

45:11 - Closing Thoughts

47:11 - Outro

Get ready for an exciting episode of Beyond the Game as host Mike Lacey sits down with former BYU linebacker Max Tooley. When he wrote down his goal of earning a sports scholarship to BYU in third grade, it set in motion a journey that would see him break records as BYU's all-time leader in games played (60). Known for his aggressive play style and occasional trash-talking, Max finished 14th all-time in total tackles and 4th in solo tackles at BYU, while also setting records for linebacker interceptions and pick-sixes.

After serving a Mandarin-speaking mission in London, Max returned to play six seasons at BYU thanks to redshirt and COVID eligibility rules. Despite facing challenges as an "older" NFL prospect at 26, Max persevered to sign as an undrafted free agent with the Houston Texans before joining the Minnesota Vikings practice squad. Throughout his career, Max embraced Coach Kalani Sitake's "Love and Learn" culture while adding his own competitive edge on the field.

Max shares insights about NFL life, the transition from college to professional football, and how writing down your goals and saying them out loud can help manifest dreams. Through stories of memorable games, navigating football politics, and balancing mission service with athletic ambitions, Max demonstrates how commitment to goals and belief in yourself can lead to success both on and off the field.

Video Chapters:

0:00 - Introduction

2:08 - How Max Played 60 Games at BYU

3:27 - The Coastal Carolina Game Experience

5:57 - Challenges of Playing Time and Football Politics

8:04 - BYU's Linebacker Legacy and NFL Stars

10:00 - The New Defensive Scheme at BYU

12:48 - NFL Measurables vs. Game Film

15:07 - From Undrafted Free Agent to Vikings Practice Squad

17:50 - Understanding Practice Squad vs. Active Roster

20:54 - Current Training Regimen with Dave Stroshine

23:21 - Age and Mission Service Impact on NFL Prospects

26:49 - Trash Talk About Being "Too Old"

29:14 - Playing Clean but Competitive Football

32:58 - Ben Bywater's Injury and Career End

34:44 - Mission Experience in London, England

37:06 - Value of Mission Service Despite NFL Timeline

39:25 - Kalani's "Love and Learn" Culture

41:44 - Finding Balance as a Competitive Player

43:43 - Playing for Same Coach as His Father

46:01 - Setting Goals and Making Dreams Happen

48:15 - Outro

Get ready for an inspiring episode of Beyond the Game as host Mike Lacey sits down with Josh Singh, former BYU defensive tackle who recently transferred to Vanderbilt to continue his football journey. Affectionately known as "Bear" since childhood - a nickname that's sparked the viral "#bearsighting" phenomenon among teammates - Josh shares how his path from Laie, Hawaii to Orem, Utah changed the trajectory of his football career.

When COVID-19 threatened to cancel his junior season, his family's seemingly providential move to Utah opened doors to college recruiters that might have remained closed in Hawaii. As a walk-on who earned his place in the trenches at BYU, Josh embodied the team culture of "Love and Learn, Humble and Hungry" alongside coach Sitake and defensive coordinator Jay Hill. Despite balancing a full academic schedule and late-night DoorDash shifts to support himself, Josh remained committed to his "111th" - doing his job so teammates could succeed. His BYU highlight? The shutout victory against playoff-bound SMU, where team accountability trumped individual statistics.

Through stories of brotherhood that transcends practice field conflicts, positional battles, and diverse backgrounds, Josh reveals the family-like atmosphere that shaped his development both on and off the field. As he begins his new chapter at Vanderbilt, we wish him the very best on his next journey.

Follow Beyond the Game on Social Media: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://hoo.be/btg45podcast⁠⁠

Video Chapters:

00:00 - Introduction

01:06 - Discussing quarterback Jake Retzlaff's competitive nature

02:51 - Different personalities on the team

03:46 - Vocal offensive linemen like Weylin Lapuaho

04:40 - Josh explains his role as defensive tackle

06:04 - Taking on multiple blockers to help linebackers succeed

06:47 - Reflections on the Kansas game loss

08:35 - Coach Sitake's culture: "Love and Learn, Humble and Hungry"

09:24 - Moving from Laie, Hawaii to Orem, Utah

11:31 - Josh's family life with three sisters

12:32 - Living with teammates in Provo

13:34 - Polynesians in football

14:21 - Team diversity and brotherhood

15:17 - The brotherhood in the locker room

16:31 - Competition without lasting conflict

17:48 - Will Ferrin and Sam Vander Haar as team jokesters

19:31 - Josh's role on the defensive line this coming season

20:26 - The SMU shutout victory as Josh's favorite game

21:37 - Taking responsibility instead of blaming circumstances

24:40 - Leading by example to maintain team culture

26:08 - Balancing football with DoorDash work and studies

27:38 - The origin of the "Bear" nickname and "#bearsighting"

30:21 - Josh's reflections on his BYU journey

32:10 - Outro

Get ready for an inspiring episode of Beyond the Game as host Mike Lacy sits down with BYU soccer standout Ellie Walbruch! Ellie shares her remarkable journey from national champion at UCLA to becoming a beacon of BYU soccer's special "light." Raised in a family where soccer wasn't just a game but a way of life, Ellie's unconventional path saw her training with boys' teams throughout high school—a decision that prepared her for collegiate success but meant foregoing traditional high school experiences.

After winning it all as a freshman at UCLA, Ellie received a sign while watching film of BYU before her championship game—a moment that would bring her back to her Utah roots and the program she'd known since childhood. At BYU, she embraced her role coming off the bench to score an impressive 11 goals during their College Cup run, demonstrating how accepting your position on the team can lead to greater collective success.

When Ellie tore her ACL, it could’ve ended everything she’d worked for. But instead of giving up, she leaned hard on her faith. With her family by her side, she turned her comeback into something bigger than just getting back on the field—it became a story of real growth. In this episode, Ellie shows that when you trust God’s plan—even when it looks different than you imagined—you can make a difference that reaches far beyond the game.

Video Chapters

00:00 - Introduction

01:17 - Mike's soccer connections and family athletes

01:54 - Soccer's growing popularity in America

02:34 - World Cup enthusiasm and comparing Messi to Tom Brady

03:05 - BYU NCAA basketball tournament excitement

03:53 - Ellie's high school background

04:22 - The decision to train with boys' teams

05:45 - Skipping high school soccer for development

07:43 - Growing up in a soccer family legacy

08:26 - Father and mother's Division I athletic background

09:01 - Training with boys to improve speed and strength

10:00 - The La Roca club team experience

11:18 - Early recruiting process at age 15

12:11 - UCLA National Championship experience as a freshman

13:22 - Ellie's first collegiate goal

14:04 - Signs leading to transferring to BYU

17:38 - Accepting her role coming off the bench at BYU

19:56 - The strategy behind BYU's powerful bench

21:28 - BYU basketball comparison and tournament hopes

23:33 - Tom Holmoe's special connection with athletes

25:18 - The difference between UCLA and BYU athletic culture

26:48 - The devastating ACL injury moment

28:05 - Receiving a blessing on the field

29:39 - The emotional aftermath of first major injury

31:10 - MRI results and surgical process

33:01 - Ellie's rehabilitation journey

34:12 - Progress in recovery and return to play

35:26 - Looking ahead to Big 12 Championship dreams

36:03 - Soccer field differences across conferences

37:06 - Creative goal celebrations inspired by Marcus Rashford

38:03 - The emotional game against former UCLA teammates

39:12 - The significance of goal celebrations in sports

40:05 - Final thoughts on enjoying the journey

41:00 - Outro

Get ready for an inspiring episode of Beyond the Game as host Mike Lacey sits down with BYU's Australian punter Sam Vander Haar. When backpacking through America in 2019, Sam met his future wife Hallie in San Diego, setting him on an unexpected path that would lead from swimming pool sales in Melbourne to becoming one of college football's most dynamic special teams weapons.

Known for his unorthodox between-the-legs pass to kicker Will Faren on a fake field goal against UCF and his game-changing fake punt run against Baylor, Sam brings a unique perspective to BYU's locker room. His journey from semi-professional Aussie Rules football to American college football through ProKick Australia has given him both technical skills and mental toughness that benefit the entire team.

While his pin-point accuracy on punts regularly places the ball inside opponents' 5-yard line, it's his attitude as the self-described "antagonist" in the locker room that truly stands out. Sam shares how his backpacking adventures throughout Central America transformed his worldview, helping him let go of an identity too wrapped up in sports and teaching him humility. Though not a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Sam has found a welcoming home in Provo and values how his teammates' character inspires him to be a better person. Through stories of crucial game moments, unique special teams tricks, and life-changing perspective shifts, Sam reveals how his unconventional path has created a life of meaningful impact both on and off the field!

Follow Beyond the Game on Social Media: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://hoo.be/btg45podcast⁠⁠

Video Chapters:

00:00 - Introduction to Sam Vander Haar

00:52 - Sam explains how he ended up at BYU from Australia

01:16 - Discussion about ProKick Australia and Aussie Rules Football

02:06 - Differences between traditional and Aussie Rules punting styles

04:26 - Sam's journey from Pittsburgh to BYU

07:18 - Meeting his wife Hallie while backpacking in San Diego

8:54 - Impact of COVID on Sam's career path

10:04 - Sam's identity transition from Aussie Rules footballer to punter

11:48 - The mental approach: letting go of anxiety in performance

12:38 - The Utah game and keeping Will Ferrin loose before his game-winning kick

14:15 - Sam's role as holder for field goals and relationship with Will

17:17 - Why Sam became the holder as well as punter

18:44 - The Baylor game and Sam's role in Aussie Rules Football

20:21 - Coach Poppinga recognizing Sam's running ability

21:56 - The fake punt against Baylor on 4th and 10

23:30 - Tyler Batty deciding not to check out of the fake punt call

25:33 - Sam's comfort level running with the ball in the fake punt

26:49 - How the fake punt shifted momentum against Baylor

27:40 - Team chemistry and having fun on the field

29:11 - Mindset against Colorado: respecting opponents while being confident

31:02 - The importance of having starters on special teams

32:54 - The team's mindset after last season's success

34:24 - Maintaining hunger despite success

35:32 - Sam's life-changing backpacking experiences

36:30 - How traveling changed Sam's perspective and maturity

38:03 - Lessons in humility from seeing other cultures

39:36 - Sam's experience as a non-member at BYU

40:42 - The positive influence of BYU's environment on Sam

42:00 - What Coach Jay Hill meant about Sam being good for the team

44:26 - Sam's future goals at BYU and beyond

46:08 - Discussion about spiral punts vs. Aussie Rules punting techniques

47:26 - The strategic precision of Sam's placement punting

49:01 - The strategic advantages of Aussie Rules punting

51:18 - The story of punters not qualifying for awards due to too few punts

52:16 - Sam's "selfish moment" against Arizona targeting the 1-yard line

53:26 - The between-the-legs fake field goal pass against UCF

56:04 - How trick plays build team confidence and camaraderie

57:59 - Outro

In this exciting episode of Beyond the Game, we sit down with Faletau Satuala, BYU's promising young safety who made an immediate impact as a true freshman. Standing at 6'4", this Bountiful High School standout brings impressive size, athleticism, and ball-hawking skills to the Cougars' defense. Despite being recruited by powerhouse programs like USC, UCLA, and Tennessee, Faletau's journey to BYU came down to a literal coin flip—a story that reveals both his thoughtful approach to decision-making and his faith.

Join us as we explore Faletau's transition from high school stardom to college competition, including his humbling "welcome to college" moment against Oklahoma State's Ollie Gordon. You'll hear about his experiences playing pickup basketball with BYU basketball star Egor Demin, his thoughts on NIL in college sports, and how Coach Jay Hill is building a defense founded on trust and accountability. Faletau's infectious smile and positive attitude shine throughout our conversation, giving fans a glimpse into the character of one of BYU's most promising young talents.

Video Chapters:

00:00 - Introduction to Beyond the Game with Faletau Satuala

01:29 - Basketball Stories: Playing Five-on-Five with Egor Demin and College Players

03:31 - Building Relationships Through Competition

05:40 - The Impact of NIL on College Athletes

06:24 - High School Football Career at Bountiful - From Two Losses to State Championship Run

10:00 - The Recruitment Process

12:40 - The Pivotal Night: Flipping a Game Day Coin to Choose Between BYU and Utah

15:08 - 3 High School Interceptions to College Defense

17:56 - The "Welcome to College Football" Moment: Getting Hurdled by Ollie Gordon

19:27 - Coach Jay Hill's Defensive Genius and Leading the Nation in Interceptions

21:29 - The Strength of BYU's Cornerbacks and Linebackers

23:08 - The Power of Trust on Defense: Doing Your 1/11th and Supporting Teammates

26:29 - The Life Lessons from Team Trust: Applications Beyond Football

26:57 - Playing Multiple Sports: How Lacrosse Improved His Football Abilities

29:08 - Future Goals in Football and the NFL Dream

30:29 - Balancing Academics with NIL and Football Commitments

34:49 - Life as a Freshman Football Player: Living Off-Campus and Building Friendships

37:34 - Witnessing Parker Kingston's Incredible Punt Return Against Kansas State

39:14 - The Special Energy Between the Third and Fourth Quarters at BYU Home Games

41:28 - Advice for Avoiding the "Sophomore Blues" and Continuing to Elevate His Game

44:19 - Closing Thoughts