BYU’s most accomplished defensive player is leaving the program

Linebacker Ben Bywater is medically retiring after sustaining a shoulder injury against Kansas last year

BYU linebacker Ben Bywater is stepping away from the game.

The Cougars’ leading tackler is medically retiring from football after sustaining a shoulder injury last year. He spent the offseason recovering, but could not get cleared to play.

“I had some tough conversations the other day where my shoulder is not cleared to go. And I won’t be medically cleared to go,” Bywater said. “Looks like my days of playing BYU football are behind me. Which absolutely breaks my heart.”

Bywater said he wasn’t even “halfway there” in his recovery on his right side. He said the process to get back to full strength could take years.

(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune) Brigham Young Cougars linebacker Ben Bywater (2) as BYU hosts East Carolina, NCAA football in Provo on Friday, Oct. 28, 2022.

Bywater recorded 247 career tackles and anchored BYU’s defense in 2021 and 2022. He finished with 102 tackles in 2021 — his career-best.

He followed it up in 2022 with 98 tackles and three interceptions. He saved BYU’s bowl game win against SMU in New Mexico when he jumped a bubble screen and took it for a pick-six.

Last year, his season was cut short when he was injured in the Big 12 opener at Kansas. At the time, he was on pace to lead the team in tackles for a third straight year.