BYU Cougars 2026 Season Preview

Bear Bachmeier authored one of the more remarkable freshman seasons in recent memory, arriving from Stanford in June and beating out experienced backups to start all 14 games. He completed 65% of his throws for 3,033 yards with 15 touchdowns against seven interceptions, and added 527 yards and 11 scores on the ground, playing with a physical, almost linebacker-like edge at a sturdy 6-2 and 230 pounds. The reigning Big 12 Freshman of the Year took over after Jake Retzlaff left the program, and the consensus is that a full offseason as the starter should push him into the conference's top tier of quarterbacks. Veteran Treyson Bourguet and McCae Hillstead provide experienced insurance behind him.

The passing game must be rebuilt after the departures of leading receivers Parker Kingston and Chase Roberts and tight end Carsen Ryan. Cody Hagen and Jojo Phillips are the top returning wideouts, though the two combined for modest production a year ago, so the staff leaned on the portal to restock. Oregon transfer Kyler Kasper brings size at 6-6 and four years of experience, while USC transfer Walker Lyons headlines a promising tight end room. A heralded 2023 recruit who served an LDS mission to Norway, Lyons caught 20 passes for 223 yards and two touchdowns for the Trojans and profiles as a genuine weapon. Fellow transfer Roger Saleapaga II adds depth at tight end, and Tiger Bachmeier, the quarterback's older brother, arrived from Stanford. Thinness at receiver remains a real concern.

LJ Martin is the engine of this offense. The reigning Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year rushed for 1,305 yards and 12 touchdowns on 236 carries (5.5 per attempt) and caught 36 passes out of the backfield, and he is regarded as one of the best backs in the country. Now a senior with more than 2,500 career rushing yards, he is within reach of a place among the most prolific runners in school history. Behind him, converted linebacker Sione Moa offers a physical change of pace after an injury-slowed year, and Jovesa Damuni adds depth.

The line is experienced and imposing. Center Bruce Mitchell anchors the group and is regarded as one of the best in the conference at the position, and mammoth 6-8 right tackle Andrew Gentry, a Michigan transfer, returns after a full season of starts. Guards Sonny Makasini and Kyle Sfarcioc bring plenty of snaps, and the staff added Washington transfer Paki Finau and Stanford transfer Zak Yamauchi up front. BYU ran for 178 yards per game while allowing just 16 sacks a year ago, and the front is deep enough that the staff feels strong about its three-deep despite losing three starters.

The Cougars are stout in the middle. Utah transfer Keanu Tanuvasa is the centerpiece, a disruptive interior lineman viewed as an NFL prospect after logging 25 tackles, two sacks and 7.5 tackles for loss in his first BYU season. End Bodie Schoonover returns as a productive starter with 6.5 tackles for loss and three sacks, and nose tackle Justin Kirkland, an Oklahoma State transfer, adds bulk at 6-3 and 335 pounds. Sophomore Nusi Taumoepeau and Viliami Po'uha round out a rotation the staff considers its deepest and bulkiest yet, with Texas transfer Tausili Akana adding juice off the edge.

This is a genuine strength. Isaiah Glasker, a first-team all-conference pick, led the unit with 67 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss and three sacks and returns for his senior year. Siale Esera is back after 48 tackles, and the headline addition is Cal transfer Cade Uluave, rated the top linebacker in the transfer portal. A first-team All-ACC performer, Uluave piled up 100 tackles with 12 for loss and three sacks last season and brings leadership to the heart of the front seven, giving BYU one of the better linebacker corps in the Big 12.

The secondary returns experience despite losing its position coaches to Michigan. Faletau Satuala is the standout, a rangy safety who piled up 84 tackles with 7.5 tackles for loss and three interceptions and grades as an NFL prospect. Cornerback Evan Johnson, another player NFL evaluators are tracking, returns after a five-interception season, and Therrian Alexander III is back at the other corner. Senior Raider Damuni gives the group a steady presence at safety, and the top returners combined for nine interceptions, keeping a ball-hawking unit largely intact.

This is the biggest question mark. Gone are kicker Will Ferrin, punter Sam Vander Haar and the long snapper. Senior Matthias Dunn has waited years for his chance and will attempt his first collegiate field goal this fall, with former five-star recruit Brody Laga looming once he returns from a church mission. Freshman Fuller Shurtz emerged as the punter after Vander Haar could not secure a waiver. Cody Hagen and Tiger Bachmeier are the options in the return game.