The superstitious believe trouble comes in sets of three. But for BYU football coach Kalani Sitake, the ingredients to another successful run in the Big 12 do, too — and he has plenty of them.
On the heels of BYU’s 11-2 season, a 36-14 victory over Colorado in the Alamo Bowl and an expected top 15 ranking, Sitake and his staff are beaming over trios of returning impact players at just about every position group.
Linebackers
Starting linebackers Jack Kelly, Harrison Taggart and Isaiah Glasker return after combining last season for 190 tackles, 27 tackles-for-loss, 10 sacks, five interceptions and four forced fumbles.

There is also an experienced group behind them, including Siale Esera, Miles Hall, Choe Bryant-Strother and Ace Kaufusi.
Secondary
Tanner Wall, Evan Johnson and Mory Bamba are a trio that will be back in the secondary. Last season, they combined for five of BYU’s FBS-leading 22 interceptions and six pass breakups.
In addition, Raider Damuni, Faletau Satuala, Ethan Slade and Talan Alfrey all saw time at safety.
Special teams
Special teams aces Keelan Marion, Parker Kingston and Will Ferrin will be back.
Marion earned All-American honors with his two kickoff returns for touchdowns. Kingston returned a pair of punts for touchdowns, including a 64-yarder in the Alamo Bowl.
Ferrin returns after kicking a school record 24 field goals — making 16 in a row to end the season. Six of Ferrin’s kicks were from 49 yards or longer. His 44-yard field goal to beat Utah 22-21 in Salt Lake City was his signature moment. The senior-to-be also converted on all 41 point-after tries.
Receivers
On the offensive side of the ball, Chase Roberts, Darius Lassiter (potentially) and Marion will be back to lead the receivers room. Together, they caught 121 passes from quarterback Jake Retzlaff for 1,903 yards and nine touchdowns.
Additional returners Kingston and JoJo Phillips combined for 23 receptions for 407 yards and three touchdowns.
Runners/offensive line
Retzlaff, LJ Martin and Sione Moa head up a trio of runners that picked up 1,284 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns during the 2024 season.
In 2025, they will run and pass behind an offensive line anchored by experienced returners Bruce Mitchell, Weylin Lapuaho and potentially Big 12 First Team honoree Caleb Etienne. Austin Leausa and Sonny Makasini also have starting experience.
The Cougars added Andrew Gentry (Michigan) and Kyle Sfarcioc (Southern Utah) from the transfer portal.
Quarterbacks
The quarterback room features Retzlaff, Treyson Bourguet and McCae Hillstead. Retzlaff has started the past 17 games for BYU, including all 13 in 2024. Bourguet and Hillstead each have a full season of practice with Aaron Roderick’s playbook.
BYU football in 2025
Having at least three stalwarts in each position group should have BYU comfortably in the preseason top 25 and touted as a contender in the Big 12 — opposite of the treatment they received last summer.
Instead of barking as a perennial underdog, BYU will flash their teeth as a favorite in 2025.
Defensive line
The only area deficient of three significant returners is the defensive line due to the departures of seniors Tyler Batty, John Nelson, Blake Mangelson and Isaiah Bagnah.
However, with some key signings and the way defensive coordinator Jay Hill provided game action for his younger players, the Cougars are deep with experience.
BYU signed transfers Keanu Tanuvasa (Utah), Tausili Akana (Texas) and Anisi Purcell (Southern Utah). They also added returned missionary and former Ute commit Hunter Clegg to bolster a line that features an extensive list of players who saw action in 2024 — Logan Lutui (13 games) Joshua Singh (13 games), Bodie Schoonover (13 games), John Taumoepeau (12 games), Ephraim Asiata (11 games), Viliami Po’uha (13 games), and Luke To’omalatai (eight games).
On a roll
This is a good time for Sitake, whose own good fortune has also come in a set of three — he received a long-term contract extension, his Cougars blew out Colorado in the Alamo Bowl and on Saturday, the coach will be inducted into the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame.
Dave McCann is a sportswriter and columnist for the Deseret News and is a play-by-play announcer and show host for BYUtv/ESPN+. He co-hosts “Y’s Guys” at ysguys.com and is the author of the children’s book “C is for Cougar,” available at deseretbook.com.