Tyler Batty Gears Up For His Final Season With BYU Football

welcome back in the cougar tracks podcast Mitch Harper your BYU Insider for KSL sports.com folks we're back season three with BYU defensive end Tyler baddy preseason all Big 12 First Team selection big time player one of the best defensive ends in the Big 12 Conference the sack leader for BYU last season 15 sacks in his BYU career the pride of pace in Utah entering his season season and it's truly his senior year this year it is the final ride Tyler baddy on cougar tracks once again Tyler feels so good we're back for another year yes sir it's great to be back it's you know it when I say that this is the final year for sure what goes to your mind when you hear that um I'm just excited man you know we kind of you know we covered this last fall a little bit um you know honestly I kind of thinking that last was going to be my last year and then ending up coming back for another season um know I'm just ready to play some ball you know there's not there's not a whole lot else you know on the table or on my mind right now it's just like I kind of feel like I've already been through this final season process and so it almost just seems like an ex an extended season just like last season didn't end and we're just right back at it but I'm I'm excited we're back and and ready to play some ball I gotta say and folks f follow Tyler on Instagram uh follow his journey give him the follows and and support his path here final season here at BYU but I got to say when when you mentioned that that it kind of feels just like an extension of last year I I almost do look at you in Camp and throughout this year almost like a a pro where you've been around the block there's nothing that can be said in the you know the practices like you've been through this you know what everything is in front of this team and now it's just maybe utilizing that experience and using it to your advantage maybe yeah absolutely I I would definitely agree with that I was it was a great off season you know what I mean um so you know there was some time in between you know our last game last year and and you know this Saturday um so it was a great off season and uh and like you said there wasn't a whole lot new you know what I mean um especially you know being a second year with with Jay and defensive staff um you know and so it was really just just getting the details down right uh for myself and for our team and so um yeah it was it was it was a really good off season this off season too A lot of the the theme from players talking to them and and coaches too is that the the continuity and the unity on this team is is really strong and Kanani and this staff made a concertive effort to bring back players like yourself uh retain the roster how much of a impact has that had so far to this point as you're getting ready for game number one in the 2024 season how much further ahead this group is compared to last year with how much continuity there is on the roster yeah I would say I would just say miles ahead I think you know we did have between 2022 and 2023 we had an immense amount of turnover um players coaches strength staff right we had I I mean an incredible amount of turnover and of course there's there's some of us right who are still here who are there then and are still here now um but you know the 2022 to 2023 versus 2023 now to 2024 yeah we have we have I mean it just not a whole lot's changed right when you really look at it as as personnel-wise and that and that does make a difference right um guys you know get more comfortable understand what their coaches want from them are able to meet those demands and needs a little bit better of the team um and you know having the same group of guys together for another season is also a huge Advantage because the chemistry is better offensively defensively special teams that that chemistry is intangible right it's one of those things that's really really hard to say how important it is is and really how hard really hard to measure um but that chemistry is huge and and like you've heard yeah this this team is super close what was accomplished in Fall Camp Tyler and and how do you how would you assess from your Vantage Point how the defense performed yeah uh fall Camp was fall Camp was good we so you know rewind a little bit to Spring ball we had a really good Spring ball I think we laid a good foundation again then went into you know summer training summer training was great and into fall Camp I think I think for fall fall camp for us um you know especially defensively the most important thing were those details right it's okay we know we know this defense right we we've played a season in it we have now you know spent an off season a spring ball in it um that cohesiveness as as a defensive unit I think is where we took a step forward uh not to say that we're perfect I think there's you know still PL more to go but uh that that cohesiveness as a defense and just guys being able to trust each other rely on each other um I I think that's where the defense took a big step forward is this defense was it almost I don't want to say complex but I mean was it a a bigger undertaking last year than maybe initially thought when you kind of look back on on last season that man that that was a whirlwind because I've heard that J Hills defense and and Kanani's coach this too it's pretty in depth there's a lot of nuance to it yeah and and that that is a good point um you know I think it it was easy enough to get the base fundamentals of the defense down but there's levels to it right so it's it's one thing for me to know where I'm lining up and what Gap I'm hitting and it's another thing to know where the linebacker at behind me and where his coverage is so that we can play off of each other better so if I if I want to if I want to G transfer if I want to move if we want to make any type of adjustment you know like I said that's that's the level we're at now is is guys know where their teammates are around them they know how they know where the maybe the weak points of the defense are who's really stressed in a certain situation um and so again that that deeper understanding of the defense and how we can we can operate more more fully as a unit I think is is really going to help us how much motivation is the pre-season media poll serving for this team being pick 13 in the Big 12 yeah I I mean you know we think we're a better team than that you know at the end of the day and and so we're we're just excited for the opportunity to go and play another season in the Big 12 and go and compete and and you know see where we end up you know what I mean and so it definitely serves as some motivation no one wants to be you know projected last in the conference or close to last and so um you know especially with the with the recent success that we've had you know guys aren't guys were definitely not uh you know not happy with that and so you know I think it was I think it was some good motivation has it you know Kanani's talked a lot about the year two you know now what to do everyone does and he he brings up the the parenting uh reference for people that have been parents where your first kid you know you don't know what you're doing and then the second kid it's like you're just picking them up holding them with one hand and you got the bottle you're not reading the books anymore do you feel like uh you you feel like you know what to expect with this big 12 now and if so what what uh what is what did you learn about the Big 12 in year one yeah I think that's also a great question I uh honestly you know I think I think looking back competitive play is something that we were used to right it's not like we hadn't been playing Power five opponents um you know maybe maybe the rigers of week in week out you know um like those for example the last five games we played last year uh you know to go from Texas to West Virginia Iowa State Oklahoma Oklahoma State um all really good football teams right and um and so I think as painful as those experiences were you know like like you said I think it's going to help us immensely just because yeah again we know what to expect we know how things go um the the understanding of what's needed right is elevated right guys whether they're senior whether they're freshman they know what their role has to be if we're going to win games right and guys are more bought into that and uh and so I think I think that's a really good you know metaphor is just like you you know right it's we you know we found out a little bit last year um and you know I do I think we still could have done better and should have done better last year absolutely um we definitely left some games on the table but you know going into year two those are great experiences and and learning experiences that we can draw from going into this season it does feel like and I know you guys in the moment didn't want to live through it a five-game skid but I I just I I get the feeling that that was a piece that brought this team closer and it I've been impressed that a lot of these guys on this team including yourself didn't say you know what I'm done I'm out of here peace I'm leaving everyone comes back and wants to almost have this resolve of we're gonna get this right and and prove that BYU can compete in the Big 12 so I guess what I'm asking is it it was that five and seven in some respects and I'm not I know you wanted to have a successful year but yeah do you feel like there could be some benefits that can lead carry over to this year AB absolutely absolutely um before I mean it takes a lot of failures before you can be successful at anything right like you know I individually as a team and so I think that's I think that's a big part of it and I think it's a testament to how gritty the guys are that we have you know what I mean because like you said they didn't we didn't just have dudes walk you know what I mean it's not like there was a mass Exodus of dudes leaving the team guys were bought in and they're like like and you know I felt the same way it was just that's not who we are that's not what we wanted to display um and we are thoroughly committed to showing people what we're capable of right um and doing that on a consistent basis and so I yeah absolutely I think it I think it did help our team grow in a lot of ways I think it helped our team come closer uh you know guys really care about the team and care about each other and like I said and want to they don't want to quit how about that you know what I mean they they don't want to walk they want to work through it like you said they want to get this thing right and so I think it's that's just a testament to all the dudes in our locker room of you know where their heads at and where their priorities are I just remember that game in still water and being there and you know know there were low expectations on the outside but you guys battled and it was it wasn't the outcome you guys wanted but I just thought man that that could have been an easy spot to roll over and just say let's move on to the off season enjoy our Christmas for once but you guys battled it just there's a there's a lot more fight in BYU than than maybe most places and I and I bring that up because I think in this era most people on the outside fans think oh PE players just want the money like there's still some for this BYU program players want to play for that stretch Y and represent the school and win for colani and these coaches yeah absolutely by is in a unique place right for a lot of different reasons um but I think that our team culture also makes it really unique you know just from guys that we've had transferred um and just you know the comments that they've made and and uh you know that it's just it's it's it's different here and and I think our team culture and again the guys the guys care about each other and they care about you know giving their best effort and they they're committed to something bigger than themselves again I just yeah guys guys aren't going to roll over like that that's just not who we are as a team and and so um you know like we had some hiccups last year but I'm again I'm really really excited for what we can do this fall what did it mean to you once again to be named uh a captain for this group that's pretty tight net uh to be voted one of the four captains for this season yeah it was it was cool it's an it's always an honor um these guys are you know I I look up to them I look up to a lot of the guys on our team um and so it's it's it's a big honor now I'm I'm grateful uh for that and and excited to to lead these guys for another season um you know hopefully to a little bit more uh fruitful season definitely and it was H pretty cool we're recording this uh Friday morning getting ready before BYU and Southern Illinois kickoff at six o'clock on Saturday night you'll had the you'll head to the team hotel tonight and and get ready for final preparations for the Salukis but uh last night you were inside lvll Edward Stadium talking to the incoming freshman in the Rock did you let set the standard of what they need to do and in the Rock what was that like yeah no it was it was really cool me and uh you know get the chills a little bit um anytime you stepping inside LVL or just thinking about that and it was it was a lot of fun I wasn't there terribly long um but me and Chase Roberts got to go over and just kind of pump those guys up and and welcome them to BYU and and yeah let them know like hey we've got the best student section in the nation we got the best fans in the nation so uh we expect you guys to be at the game on Saturday and we expect you guys to be loud and um so it was it was fun it was fun we got to we got to go through a little turbulence with them you know kind of the whole getting ready for the fourth quarter letting them know how that goes and so it was it was fun did it make you think well when I when we talk this uh through and think about the incoming freshman at the school uh you didn't get the the traditional incoming freshman experience you were a gray shirt and then it was covid so it's been it was uh you didn't get like the traditional like you know where you're probably like wearing masks like I think about your BYU career and you and Connor pay and you guys have seen it all you've seen a once in a-lifetime pandemic you've seen BYU moov to the power four you've seen Kanani satake have some highs and lows like do you ever just kind of see man I I've seen some pretty cool stuff here at BYU no absolutely yeah no we really have and yeah like you said it was it it is really interesting especially like yeah as a freshman you know not joining up until January right not really getting that you know freshman fall experience um and uh and then yeah the pandemic and just how that impacted everything for like two years and um but yeah we've we've seen a lot and it's been cool because you know I think in the future looking back it'll be a very unique era of BYU football um and it'll be really cool to have been a part of it what uh where do you feel like you've improved the the most or maybe I shouldn't say improved because you got the games to prove it but uh where are is a focus for you in your growth and development as a as a player um I think the biggest step forward I took this offseason was just consistency right um consistency in everything I'm doing right uh I think football IQ of course took another jump there um you know just longer you're playing football and the more you can understand and the more knowledgeable you get um you're able to understand again the game on a deeper level so I think I think that that was a big part but yeah just consistency across the board consistency in playing the Run consistency in rushing the passer um you know I think that was my biggest Focus for myself was just make sure that you know we step on that field you know we're making the most of every single snap you're fifth at BYU in sacks since 20 and you've got 15 career sacks I know you've set a high bar for yourself I know the coaches have too everyone knows what the storyline is about getting more sacks but beyond just sacks because there's nuances to that too uh you know what are some maybe goals for this this defensive line that you guys have and and the defense at large heading into the season we've got to be disruptors you know I think that's the biggest thing is is uh you know you kind of think of it as a dance right and the offense likes to dance they they want their Rhythm they want things on time they want um they want to feel good when they're when they're trying to move the ball right um on defense we have to be chaos creators uh and I'm I'm in love with that identity uh I I I love I love that I love that idea um of just creating chaos I feel I feel very comfortable in the chaos uh so for us as a defense that's what it has to come down to is we have to make sure the offenses can't settle into a rhythm um we've got to make sure that when they do we are disrupting that as soon as possible right not letting them make those time throws right not not letting them establish a run game or any type of consistency there uh if we can do that it makes it extremely hard on an offense to to be productive whatsoever right um if a quarterback's getting hit or moving off his spot um if we're if we're beating a quarterback up if we're beating a running back up you know I think being physical with the offensive linemen with the running backs with the tight ends with the quarterback um it takes a toll right on an offense and then making sure that yeah we don't let them feel comfortable at any at any given moment you know what I mean um that's you know that's who we want to be and that's who we're going to be this fall great thing about this defensive line along with you is there's a lot of senior veterans guys have been through the battles not only the Big 12 but just BYU at large you think about John Nelson Blake mangelsen Logan loule z b it's experienced group along the defensive front yeah extremely I think um you know I'm stoked I'm stoked for the guys we have the pieces that we have especially on that D line um because like you said I mean we we got five seniors right there you know what I mean that this is this is this is it for us five you know what I mean and we've played you know me and Blake and John have played a lot of football together um then Logan joined us and Logan and us have played a lot of football and then Isaiah joined us last season him coming into his second season with us you know we've played a lot of football together um and so I think again as a as a defensive line unit I think we have uh some really good potential I think we uh again have some great chemistry as a as a de defensive end defensive tackle and collectively as a as a dline uh and I think there's a lot of potential there yeah John Nelson's I think getting slept on and and Blake mangelson too in the interior I I thought you know Josh sing looked pretty good in Fall camp l Luke to malatai and uh E from oat is intriguing I mean there are options but it feels like this whole BYU team may be at large Tyler feels like just it's now just got to go prove it on Saturdays yeah no exactly that's that's that's all you can do right it comes down to that point where you can you can talk about it and the possibilities and the potential but yeah what it comes down to is when Saturday gets here can you turn that into wins what's your and if if you don't want to disclose this I understand but it what is your game day routine if you willing to share that if you if it's private I understand because I know some athletes it's private I'm a simple guy um I'm not very superstitious uh you know I I actually I don't even really listen to music anymore uh I used to you know on the bus and when we were traveling you know get my Pregame playlist um you know honestly last year uh just in a focus to be more present I I stopped doing that and so I didn't I didn't do it a single game last season um you know as as as you know as we get off the bus you'll see me I won't have headphones on you know I'm not going to be listening to anything I wanna I want to feel that atmosphere I wanna I want to be present you know what I mean and just kind of soak up every every last minute um you know for so for me it's pretty much I wake up you know I wake up you know get ready for the day go get some breakfast and then you know whatever comes you know if it's an evening game you know we're going to kick it a little bit longer you know watch some more film um you know hang out talk with the guys maybe we you know go over some last minute adjustments um you know if it's a morning game it's really or an early afternoon game it's really just to get up and you're out the door type of deal and so um yeah I'm not I'm not super particular you know biggest thing I would just say I try to get a good night's rest before the game and you know uh just make sure that I feel like I'm prepared the for the next day but yeah I I don't have anything too crazy for you the I I have a feeling this year the field is going to be a lot better I I would hope the scrimmage the the feedback I was hearing from players and coaches is that the The Field's playing pretty fast so it should be a great playing environment compared to what you were dealing with the last month of the season and that's no knock on the ground crew but it had to get fixed and it's the uh the field should be a nice playing surface for BYU Southern Illinois what were your initial thoughts on the playing surface in the scrimmages I loved it loved it um I ended up taking studs over just in case uh you know some studded cleats just in case to make sure I wasn't slipping during the scrimmage but the the field felt great it actually had poured on it earlier that day and so I thought that we weren't going to be scrimmaging at the stadium because on the old field it would have been a sloppy Miss um it would have been an absolute nightmare to try to go play on it and uh we went over there after had poured on it for a few hours earlier that day and the field felt almost dry which I was blown away um yeah I don't think I slipped once during our scrimmage you know um 30 40 you know snaps that I took there was no you know there was no issues so I'm yeah it's it's uh it's way better than it was last season yeah it was definitely it was definitely due for for a new Surface and you guys will be facing the Southern Illinois Salukis on that new playing surf coming up Saturday night 6 o'cl uh you can listen to on KSL and list watch on ESPN plus your thoughts on the Salukis who have a quarterback debate they're holding it back uh who they're going to start does that have you guys prep for both quarterbacks in in preparation for this game yeah yeah um you know I think um I think I think we're ready for you know whoever they whoever they end up putting out there um I think I think we're ready for that I uh you know I'm not terribly worried um we prepared well uh we're we're excited they're they're a good team you know they they're a good team uh their offense can be dangerous right they they like to uh they like to air that ball out and so you know that that can be a hard thing to defend sometimes when they're when they're just throwing it up there and you know um I have ton of confidence in our DBS right and our safeties um to handle that uh so just excited excited to play him I think it presents a good challenge and uh you know excited to to get after it in game one I know cougar nation's excited and and I know that this off season's been maybe different in terms of the buildup because expectations on the outside have been lower than than usual for BYU but I I always always been telling people this year I love BYU as an underdog because when you guys get overlooked the program at large but this group too under colani uh BYU has a tendency to do things that people don't expect even last year against Arkansas no one was giving you guys a chance so uh that's the task in front of you guys to shock the world and I'm sure you guys are hoping to do that yeah no we we are and uh we're we're excited for the opportunity and excited for all 12 games that we'll get so yeah stoked to stoked to the football season so that we get a go play a game tomorrow night it's long time coming um and yeah excited to to hopefully you know surprise some people this this fall I'm looking forward to it Tyler every single week here on the cougar tracks podcast we'll be holding it down having these weekly conversations throughout the BYU football season 2024 campaign it's our third year doing this so we didn't need to go through the you know feeling out introductions for people people know you they they they know us they they know the the great products of the interviews that we've been putting out so Tyler it's always a pleasure I appreciate you man and uh looking forward to tomorrow night enjoy it and I know cougar nation's excited as well yes sir thanks Mitch