How is it a counter to the Sharingan? Byakugan users use gentle fist taijutsu combined with there byakugan to see chakra points and strike them. Sharingan users can do the same thing. Plus read movements. Aka dodge gentle fist attacks. Byakugan users are only good in close combat. Sharingan users can get distance and attack. The sharingan wouldn't own the byakugan but it would win. Rinnegans and sharingan can almost do everything the byakugan can do while the byakugan can't do most things they do. I won't even stress byakugan vs rinnegan. You saw what happened to hinata when she fought pain. He pawned her.
WAIT WAIT WAIT! WHAT!? Only good in close combat?
Im guessing you forgot air palms and other jutsus that they use.
We have not seen an S level shinobi use byakugan.
Therefore. We have not seen it's true potential.
I would say that it is the weakest. But it is far from only Close Combat.
Hinata's jutsu wouldve torn that pain to dust.
But you know, she is not so savvy on the ninjaing.. Lmao.
Give Itachi Byakugan instead of Sharingan and watch him work magic.
It all depends on the user.
Im pretty sure Konohamaru with Rinnegan can't defeat madara with normal eyes

..lol