On Wednesday, standout linebacker Adam Bywater from Olympus High School officially signed with BYU. This decision comes after he chose the Cougars over notable competitors, including Utah and Boise State, earlier this year.
Adam, who is the younger sibling of former BYU linebacker Ben Bywater, had also received offers from Utah State, Arizona State, and San Diego State. Standing at 6″3″, Adam played various positions at Olympus, primarily safety and linebacker, where he recorded 80 tackles, 6 tackles for loss, and 4 pass breakups in 2024.
The coaching staff at BYU expressed their admiration for Adam”s physical attributes, including his size, length, and frame. Additionally, they praised his motor and instincts, indicating a projected role for him as a linebacker at the collegiate level.
During his senior year, Adam experienced a remarkable season, amassing 120 tackles, 6 interceptions, and contributing offensively with 5 touchdowns. He also recorded 1 sack, blocked a punt, and blocked a field goal. Following this standout performance, he was elevated to four-star status and is now regarded as the fifth-best prospect in the state according to 247Sports.
Ben Bywater, who was anticipated to play a significant role for BYU in 2024, faced a setback when he suffered a season-ending shoulder injury during a game against Kansas in 2023. Despite announcing his intention to return for one more season, nerve damage in his shoulder ultimately sidelined him for 2024.
When healthy, Ben was a key player for the BYU defense, averaging around 100 tackles per season from 2021 to 2022. He was on track to break into the top five for solo tackles by a BYU player in 2024 and was also in position to surpass the all-time record for assisted tackles. Throughout his career, he accumulated 112 solo tackles and 135 assisted tackles.
Adam has spoken about the influence of his brother”s experience at BYU. “My brother Ben had a very positive experience with coaches and fans,” Adam noted in a previous interview with BYU On SI. “He was honored to be a captain and represent the school. He was super proud and happy of his career as a Cougar!”
