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There are many bold predictions floating around this time of year, and ESPN’s latest Big 12 prognostications have BYU a solid No. 2 behind defending champion Texas Tech in 2026.
Another voice, Ari Temkin of Big 12 Today, said this of BYU recently on a podcast: “This team’s loaded. They have the best linebacking core in the Big 12. They have the best offensive players and weapons in the Big 12. BYU, (one of) the favorites of the Big 12.”
As for recruiting, BYU’s staff just finished securing the commitment of one of the top defensive linemen in the country, California’s Jeremiah Williams. Also, this past week they got a pledge from high three-star corner Ryan Wooten, who some claim may be one of the biggest corner recruits the program has had in recent memory.
Question of the week
BYU ranks No. 3 in the country and No. 1 in the Big 12 in returning snaps at 63%. Predict the ways and means this may help the Cougars for the upcoming season, and if it makes a difference, where.
Jay Drew: Thanks to subpar play in 2023 and the Jake Retzlaff fiasco in 2025 that caused BYU’s expectations for the 2024 and 2025 football seasons to be fairly muted, the Cougars were able to sneak up on some folks in each of the last two seasons.
Barring something unforeseen, that won’t be the case this fall. BYU isn’t sneaking up on anybody. Expectations are through the roof for a program that has gone 23-4 the past two seasons. How will the Cougars handle them?
Frankly, when expectations are sky high for BYU teams (read: BYU basketball), the Cougars never seem to be able to meet them when there is a target on their backs. It feels like this No. 1 ranking in the Big 12 in returning snaps (63%) is another one of those ways to hype the Cougars that might not help in September.
Honestly, I don’t think it will matter that much; it is all about talent, as Bear Bachmeier showed last year, bringing zero snaps from the year before.
Will all that experience returning help BYU? It can’t hurt, especially in the trenches, where experience and maturity really seem to matter. BYU looks well stocked in the trenches, so that should certainly help. I still say, however, that the Cougars should have done more to get more receiver help after the Parker Kingston dismissal.
The returning receivers may have gotten plenty of snaps in 2025, but production from that spot was lacking outside of Kingston and Chase Roberts.
Dick Harmon: When BYU has a returning quarterback and supporting cast, it generally bodes well for the season at hand. Remember when Ty Detmer had that great sophomore season in 1989 and returned most of his receivers and offensive line? He made a remarkable, record-setting run as a junior. The following year, as a senior, he did not have that supporting cast. Gone were Matt Bellini and Chris Smith and others, and it was tough. This sophomore season for Bear Bachmeier is filled with potential because of LJ Martin, Sione Moa, JoJo Phillips and the addition of tight ends Walker Lyons and Roger Saleapaga.
Only Notre Dame and Maryland are projected to return more snaps in 2026 than BYU at 63%. Where the rubber really hits the road, however, is on defense, where the Cougars return more experience than any team in the league. With experienced corners, defensive linemen and the addition of Cade Uluave from Cal, Kelly Poppinga’s defense could become a real force and make it much easier for sophomore Bachmeier and senior Martin.
I see this team living up to most expectations because the players have bought in so hard to the culture, vowing to return for each other while spurning the portal and looking out for themselves. When coaches have players taking charge, holding one another accountable, the practice landscape changes dramatically.
Avoiding injuries will be a key component to success, but a double-digit-win season appears easier to achieve than a year ago, when the Cougars entered the season with an unproven freshman at quarterback and Texas Tech on the schedule.
Cougar tales
At last week’s Robison Invitational, two Cougars ran sub-four-minute miles as Carter Cutting broke a 36-year-old meet record in the 1,500 meters. On the women’s side, Paje Rassmussen set a school record in the 200 meters with a 22.69 clocking. Jane Hedengren ran the sixth-fastest 1,500 meters ever in the Provo meet.
From the archives
From X-verse
Extra points
- Bruce Branch III arrives in Provo (Deseret News)
- New women’s gymnastics coach named (Deseret News)
- Saunders, Dybantsa invited to NBA combine (KSLsports)
Fanalysts
Comments from Deseret News readers:
BYU historically has always been a team built around a basketball system. Following that approach we last won a conference tournament 25 years ago and prior to KY during that span went to one Sweet 16. In two yrs under KY we’ve already been to one Sweet 16.
KY is a smart enough coach to tailor his approach based on the talent he has.
— Gruncle Ralph
Has KY shown any ability yet to “develop” players? If you think so, give me an example.
— DezeretGnus
In reply to DezeretGnus …
Well, for one, AJ Dybantsa was not considered the clear No. 1 pick in the 2026 NBA draft. He is now the consensus No. 1 pick.
Egor Demin was considered a potential first-round draft pick coming to BYU. He was actually drafted No. 9 in the NBA lottery.
Richie Saunders was named Most Improved Player in the Big 12 in 2025 under Kevin Young’s tutelage.
Do you need more?
— BakerB60
Up next
- May 7 | 5 p.m. | baseball | @ Texas Tech
- May 8 | 5 p.m. | baseball | @ Texas Tech
- May 9 | 5 p.m. | baseball | @ Texas Tech
- May 11 | 8 a.m. | women’s golf | NCAA Regional, Kentucky