Two former Highland High School football stars hope to set the tone along the line of scrimmage for Brigham Young University next season.

Tristen Hoge and Wayne Kirby ruled the gridiron and dominated the offensive and defensive lines with the Rams — Hoge as center and Kirby as defensive tackle.

When they graduated from the school on the hill — Hoge in 2015 and Kirby a year later — they were among the top high school football recruits at their positions.

Kirby was the 54th-ranked defensive tackle in the nation and signed to continue his football career at Oregon after fielding offers from other schools such as Washington State, Washington and Utah.

Hoge was the country’s top-ranked center and chose Notre Dame over programs like LSU, Florida and Stanford.

Their initial school choices, however, didn’t pan out.

In 2017, they both made the decision to transfer and continue pursuing their football aspirations in Provo, Utah, where they’re currently participating in BYU’s spring practices.

“No kid going into a college has the anticipation of transferring,” Hoge said.

“Certain circumstances that happened over there forced my hand and had me transfer here to a different culture, and I find this coach a lot more suited to who I am as a person.”

Added Kirby, “I loved playing football (at Oregon), but it was just a little too wild. I’m kind of a chill dude, kind of kept to myself there.”

He enjoys being at BYU where it’s more familiar. He also has more friends and family in the area.

Kirby transferred in January 2017, and Hoge transferred the following June. Per NCAA transfer rules, both had to sit out the subsequent 2017 football season.

Now, however, they’re shaking off whatever rust that’s built up and are back on the field.

It feels good.

“It wasn’t a hinderance having to sit out a year,” Hoge said. “It was nice to be able to build myself, acclimate to a new system and a new team, befriend the guys, learn the offense. But this year with no more redshirt, I feel like it’s a big time for me. I have no more restraints. I can just go.”

“I’ve been waiting for this for forever,” Kirby said. “I just love being out there. I love being physical. I just love being able to play.”

Hoge started 47 consecutive games for Highland, from his first game as a freshman in 2012 through the Rams’ 2015 state championhip win. He began his time at Notre Dame being recognized as the squad’s Offensive Scout Team Player of the Year. He redshirted his freshman year and didn’t see much playing time the following season. The best football decision he could make, he figured, was to take his talents to Provo.

When Beau Hoge, current BYU quarterback and Tristen’s cousin, learned about the transfer, he was ecstatic. The cousins grew up in different parts of the country — Tristen in Pocatello and Beau in Kentucky. They’d see each other every now and then at football camps and family reunions, and they did their best to maintain their relationship over the years.

Now that the Hoges are reunited, they get to hang out every day, and their relationship — both personally and on the field — has grown.

“We grew up playing Bionicles and Transformers together,” Beau said. “And now to be on the same football field at a Division I university is a special experience.”

“It’s fun playing alongside him,” Tristen said. “He’s family. I love the heck out of him.”

Kirby had originially verbally committed to BYU while he was playing at Highland. He ultimately switched his decision, signing with the Oregon Ducks, where he played in nine games during his freshman season and recorded 11 tackles, two pass breakups and a fumble recovery.

The social scene, however, didn’t align with Kirby’s values.

“There was some stuff going on throughout the team that made it kind of a bad environment for me,” Kirby said in an interview with the Journal shortly after he decided to transfer. “It made it seem like (certain players) didn’t really care about winning and they were just there for the gear. They loved being a ‘Duck player.’ I have goals ... and felt like transferring to a place like BYU would probably be best for me if I want to reach those goals.”

While the move meant Kirby would have to sacrifice playing time, he feels better being in a place closer to home. And after sitting out the 2017 football season, Kirby is free to put on the pads again. His experience at Oregon playing against Pac-12 competition, he says, will help bring something new to the table at BYU.

“Oregon taught me a lot more finesse and being able to maneuver around more,” he said. “It gives me two options instead of just keeping me as a one-dimensional D-lineman.”

Both Hoge and Kirby have three years of eligibility remaining at BYU, and both hope to make immediate impacts for the Cougars.

“It’s great to finally be back with the team and feel like I’m making a difference that’s needed to help my team win,” Hoge said. “It just feels good to play ball again.”

Added Kirby, “I’ve got to give it my all. I think you’ve just got to work hard, and I think I can play quite a bit.”