In the famed football haunts of Provo, where the air is thin and the spirit is thick, there’s a name that whispers of greatness even in the quietest of moments: Chase Roberts.

Now, I’m not one to preach to the choir, but let’s talk about the importance of Roberts returning for his senior year with the BYU Cougars, because, folks, this isn’t just about football; it’s about establishing a legacy akin to Austin Collie, Dennis Pitta, the Bellini brothers and Eric Drage.

Chase Roberts, at 6-foot-4, has been more than just a receiver; he’s been the embodiment of what BYU football stands for — grit, faith and a flair for the dramatic. He delivers at a school that’s had its share of offensive playmakers over the decades.

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Roberts finished his junior regular season with 51 catches for 843 yards and four touchdowns, an average of 16.4 yards per catch. For his BYU career he has 115 catches for 1,773 yards and 12 touchdowns.

In Week 3 of the 2024 season he was the highest graded Power Four wide receiver according to Pro Football Focus.

Right now Roberts ranks 21st in BYU history on the receiving list. He needs 16 yards to surpass tight end Jonny Harline. Next year, if he gains more than 800 yards, like he did this past season, he would register in the top five all-time.

Off the field, he’s a poster boy for what head coach Kalani Sitake seeks in a player.

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Last season, when the Cougars were down to their last play against Arkansas, who was it that caught the game-winning touchdown with one hand? Chase Roberts. His catch was not just a highlight reel; it was a statement, a testament to what a player with heart can do.

He did it again that season in a win over Baylor in Provo — a stretching out, one-handed catch in the end zone, a killer play.

He had the same flair in that last drive with huge catches to help beat Utah in Rice-Eccles, kept hopes alive in a comeback drive to beat Oklahoma State. His ability to convert big downs is his trademark.

Now, imagine this: BYU, without Roberts next season, would need a big adjustment. He’s a great leader. Without Roberts it would be like trying to conduct the Tabernacle Choir with a kazoo. You see, Roberts isn’t just another wide receiver, he’s the one who makes the impossible look routine. His presence on the field stretches defenses like taffy.

His return is a gift to QB Jake Retzlaff, who loses Darius Lassiter, the guy with catcher mitts for hands. To get Roberts back provides a cornerstone for coordinator Aaron Roderick’s play-calling in the pass game.

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The importance of him deciding to don that royal blue for another year can’t be overstated. His leadership, both on and off the field, is the kind that lifts teams. When the lights are bright and the pressure of the Big 12 bears down like a late November frost, it’s players like Roberts who keep the faith, who keep the dream alive of hoisting that championship trophy high above LaVell Edwards Stadium.

Moreover, his return would mean more than just stats or wins; it’s about continuity. Football, at its core, is about stories — the stories of young men growing up, of plays that define careers, of moments that become memories. With Roberts, BYU’s story this coming season could be one of redemption, of a team that was counted out, yet rose above its critics.

Let’s not forget, he’s not only a receiver but a missionary in his own right, spreading the gospel of hard work, faith and football. He’s taken on a weekly podcast to comment on weekly faith lessons in the “Come, Follow Me” curriculum of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

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His decision should inspire a whole new generation of athletes. If he opted out for the allure of the NFL draft, which he was well-poised to do, BYU would be losing more than just a player; it would be losing a chapter of Cougars’ folklore before it’s fully written.

So it is a great move that BYU gets Chase Roberts staying one more year, for BYU, for the fans, for the legacy. And yes, for some NIL coin.

Good for Roberts.

Nobody’s had enough of him in Provo just yet.

BYU wide receiver Chase Roberts runs after a long catch against the Houston Cougars in Provo on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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