• Slug: Sports–BYU Lassiter Homecoming, 900 words.
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By Jalen Weathers
Cronkite News

TEMPE – BYU football is on a mission to make history.

The No. 14 Cougars, perched atop the Big 12 standings with a 9-1 record, will be chasing double-digit wins Saturday in Tempe when they play conference rival No. 21 Arizona State. Each BYU game this season has been a statement of why the Cougars deserve to be in the conversation for the College Football Playoff.

But for BYU wide receiver Darius Lassiter, a co-captain who is second on the team in receiving yards (576), this weekend is about more than football. The Chandler native returns home for a high-stakes showdown in front of a sold-out crowd at Mountain America Stadium – a moment he has been waiting for.

“So much is on the table,” Lassiter said. “We’re both top-25 teams with a sold-out stadium. I know the atmosphere is going to be rocking, so to be able to do our thing back home is amazing. I feel like, if you’re a competitor, you live for these games right here.”

Saturday marks the second homecoming for Lassiter, but his first with the Cougars. In 2022, he played on the Eastern Michigan team that pulled off a surprising upset victory over the Sun Devils. He recorded two receptions for 20 yards in the 30-21 Eastern Michigan win.

Lassiter had more family in attendance than usual for that game, and they were excited to see what transpired. One person who tries to be at almost every game she can attend is his mother, Ericka Lassiter.

“I’m very proud watching him over the years, not just as a player, but as a young man,” Ericka said. “I know it will be emotional for me having him shine at home, but I think it’s going to be great. He showed out when he was here with EMU, so I’m hoping he shows out again.”

Lassiter finished that 2022 season with 471 receiving yards, 40 receptions and four touchdowns. The Eagles also won their first bowl game in over 30 years against San Jose State in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl. After a successful season with the Eagles, Lassiter decided to enter the transfer portal.

“I felt like it was more for me out there as a player,” Lassiter said. “I could have been used more at the last spot I was at. And then I just felt like it was better opportunities for my career to blossom away. I thought it would be the way it’s kind of going right now.

“So that ultimately led me to leaving Eastern Michigan and choosing BYU. A lot of people said I was crazy for choosing BYU over all the other schools that I had. But you know, it’s always that one thing where the feeling just feels right. And after my visit, everything felt like it was meant to be.”

Since joining the Cougars in 2023, Lassiter has been a dependable target, playing in 19 games. In his first season, he totaled 365 receiving yards and four touchdowns. He has already surpassed last season’s production with two games left this season, posting 576 yards and four touchdowns.

Lassiter’s exceptional play has allowed him and BYU to compete for a College Football Playoff bid. One of his standout plays came against Oklahoma State with 19 seconds left and BYU trailing 35-31. The redshirt senior created enough separation to catch the ball and then found a way to get into the endzone for a 35-yard reception.

As the college football season reaches its pivotal juncture, Lassiter is enjoying his best season – and he credits the football culture in Arizona.

“It helped me grow as a player, being around other football minds and NFL legends,” Lassiter said. “I just tried to pick up little pieces from each and everybody. That’s helped me implement my game to where it is today.”

Lassiter started his football journey at 12 years old. He played for a local Chandler team, the Crushers, during his younger years. He attended Hamilton High School but transferred before his senior year to Lawrence Free State in Kansas.

His recruiting process did suffer a bit, as he had to sit out his entire senior season. Due to this, he took a risk on himself and became a walk-on at Butler Community College. Luckily, the investment was worth it in the end.

But Arizona football isn’t the only thing that has guided him. The Lassiter family carries a proud legacy of football talent.

Lassiter is the son of the later Kwamie Lassiter, who played most of his 10 seasons with the Arizona Cardinals. He also has two older brothers, Kwinton and Kwamie II, who played for Kwamie’s alma mater, the University of Kansas. Kwamie II also had an NFL stint with the Cincinnati Bengals.

The support and guidance Lassiter has received from his family has helped guide him into becoming a threat on the field. He aspires to be a game-changer whenever he touches the field, and every week, he strives to showcase his skillset to attest to that. Luckily for BYU, they recognized his talent and thought he’d be a perfect addition to their wide receiver group.

Lassiter will continue his strong 2024 campaign in front of many family members in the stands Saturday, with even more on the line.

“He’s one of our alternate captains, and he deserves that,” said BYU wide receivers coach Fesi Sitake. “Players have been able to see him grow and flourish. I’ve been pleased with his development. Physically, he’s gotten bigger, faster, and twitchier and just playing with more confidence.

“The sky’s the limit for him, and I wish I had him for more time.”

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