Head coach Kalani Sitake has things rolling in Provo, Utah. In the last two seasons, he’s led the Cougars to a 23-4 overall record and has back to back wins in the post season. This past year, they played for the Big 12 Championship against Texas Tech but ended up losing. They, along with Notre Dame, had a strong case to make the College Football Playoffs over teams like Alabama and Miami.
This upcoming season, Sitake returns, arguably, his most experienced and talented roster in the last few seasons. Their home game on October 17 against Notre Dame will have playoff implications on the line. They’ll follow up that matchup with games against Arizona State at home, Utah on the road and Kansas on the road a few weeks later. This is a playoff caliber roster for BYU heading into 2026 and will be one of the front runners in the race in the Big 12.
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Let’s take a look at the Cougars.
2025 Record: 12-2 / 8-1 (Beat Georgia Tech in the Pop-Tarts Bowl 25-21)
2024 Record: 11-2 / 7-2 (Beat Colorado in the Alamo Bowl 36-14)
Starters Returning – QB Bear Bachmeier, RB LJ Martin, WR Parker Kingston, WR JoJo Phillips, C Bruce Mitchell, RG Kyle Sfarcioc, RT Andrew Gentry,
Starters Lost – WR Chase Roberts, TE Carsen Ryan, LT Isaiah Jatta, LG Weylin Lapuaho
Seven of BYU’s starters from 2025 returns in 2026. Sitake is 23-4 in the last two years and this is the first time in that stretch where he’s had a returning starter. Bachmeier (251-387, 64.9%, 3,033 yards, 7.8 YPA, 15 TD, 7 INT, 527 rushing yards, 11 rushing TD) returns under center alongside Martin (236 att., 1,305 yards, 5.5 YPC, 12 TD) who was the team’s leading rusher from 2025. Leading receiver, Kingston (66 rec., 924 yards, 14.0 YPC, 5 TD) also returns to the offense on top of three starting offensive lineman.
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They kept their losses to a minimum and the portal was virtually a non-factor for starters on offense. The players lost were due to exhaustion of eligibility. Offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick will have loads of talent heading into 2026. This will be one of the best offenses in the Big 12 this upcoming season.
Starters Returning – DE Bodie Schoonever, DT Keanu Tanavasa, LB Isaiah Glasker, LB Siale Esera, CB Therrian Alexander III, CB Evan Johnson, S Faletau Satuala
Starters Lost – EDGE Logan Lutui, DT John Taumoepeau, LB Jack Kelly, S Tanner Wall,
Similar to the offensive side of the ball, the defense returns tons of talent and experience from last season. Seven of their starters from the 2025 roster returns along with several other key depth pieces. Satuala (83 tackles, 1.0 sack, 4 passes defended, 3 INT) was the team’s leading tackler last season at safety and returns for 2026. They retain a lot of depth and experience in the trenches as well.
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They didn’t lose a single starter to the transfer portal; like the offense, all of their losses were due to eligibility. Defensive end Nusi Taumoepeau (12 tackles, 1.0 sack) also returns along the trenches. He only started one game in 2025 but is expected to step into the starting lineup this season.
Top Transfers – Offense: TE Walker Lyons (USC), TE Roger Saleapaga (Oregon), LG Paki Finau (Washington)
Top Transfers – Defense: LB Cade Uluave (California), CB Jayven Williams (Miss. St.)
Their portal additions on offense and defense were kept to a minimum due to the returning roster in 2026. That being said, they still brought in some impactful players. Finau (4 career starts) comes in from Washington and is expected to start on the offensive line. Lyons (20 rec., 223 yards, 11.1 YPC, 2 TD) is a very talented tight end prospect that came over from USC and will likely start.
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Defensively, they brought in Uluave (97 tackles, 3.0 sacks, 4 passes defended) comes over to add depth to a solid linebacking corps. Williams (18 tackles, 1 pass defended, 1 INT) comes over from Mississippi State to add depth to the secondary as well.
2026 Recruiting Class Ranking: No. 24 On3/Rivals – No. 26 247Sports
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