This article was first published in the Cougar Insiders newsletter Tuesday. Sign up to receive the newsletter in your inbox each week.
BYU athletics is heading towards a whole new ball game as it rolls out digesting a full share of the Big 12 payout money this year. You can see this transpire with how the school is using its revenue sharing and NIL goals to fill out rosters, retain key players and make pitches to prized recruits.
This 2026 season is winding down with spring sports championships kicking off in track and field, golf and baseball. BYU should challenge in track and field and golf. Baseball will be middle of the pack in the Big 12.
BYU fans just witnessed a remarkable year with projected No. 1 draft pick AJ Dybantsa completing his freshman year. Two other freshmen also made plenty of headlines: distance runner Jane Hendengren set all kinds of national records, and quarterback Bear Bachmeier made a successful debut in a 12-win season after arriving at school after spring practice a year ago.
Question of the week
With the return of LJ Martin, the healing up of Sione Moa and a fresh face like incoming freshman Devaughn Eka and other returnees, how meaningful will the running back room be for Aaron Roderick this season?
Jay Drew: I’ve written several times over the past few months that I believe BYU is in a bit of trouble at the receiver positions. I think they will have a hard time replacing the production of Chase Roberts and Parker Kingston, and I’m not quite sold on the idea that Oregon transfer Kyler Kasper is the answer. We will see, I guess.
As for the tight end and running back positions, I believe the Cougars are fairly well-equipped in those areas. At running back, LJ Martin is a superstar — if he can stay healthy. Sione Moa is also one of the better backs in the Big 12 — if he recovers fully from the compartment syndrome injury that almost cost him his leg last season.
Moa told me during spring camp that he’s fine, and I believe him. So that means the Cougars’ RBs will contribute mightily in 2026, perhaps be a strength of the team.
However, if history has taught us anything at BYU, it is that the Cougars can never have enough running backs. They also seem to suffer more than their fair share of injuries at that spot. For instance, they will go into the season without arguably their RB3, Jovesa Damuni. He sustained a major injury in spring camp.
Can Lehi High product Devaughn Eka step up and be that guy as a true freshman who should be going through graduation exercises at his high school this month? Coaches were high on him in spring camp — almost as much as they were three years ago when Martin was a newcomer.
Dick Harmon: I think the foundation of this offense, Bear’s success, and much of the productivity of the offense will depend on the running back room and elevation of use of this year’s tight ends with Walker Lyons and Roger Saleapaga. This will give replacements for Chase Roberts and Parker Kingston time to gel and produce.
One of the biggest impacts on the offense has been offensive line coach and run game coordinator TJ Woods. His ability to develop, teach, inspire and recruit has really elevated BYU’s run game the past several seasons and has led to the lofty performances of Martin and Moa. Eka, in time, will be an exciting and productive addition to the running back room. Barry Lamb, a longtime college coach now retired and living in Lehi, told me during spring practice that Eka and receiver Legend Glasker are the real deal and they’ll show it.
A big key for Woods, Roderick and company will be keeping Martin healthy and productive. As the Big 12’s leading rusher a year ago, he’s projected to be the league’s best again this season and that bodes big for the Cougars if he can pull it off.
The run game, and put Bachmeier in that category, is a huge part of what the Cougars will need to do this season if they are to repeat a double-digit win season and play in the league championship game in Arlington.
Cougar tales
In this piece by Dave McCann, tennis star Gracie Levelston explains how she and her family came to accept the challenge of playing in Provo for the Cougars and how it has turned out so far.
Here’s a look back at what BYU’s men volleyball accomplished as a young squad.
This is my piece on how former BYU coach Dave Rose feels about the expanded NCAA basketball tournament to 76 teams.
From the archives
From X verse
Extra points
- Does Bear Bachmeier have enough weapons? (Deseret News)
- BYU’s best DB says coming back was easy (Deseret News)
- Bodie Schoonover ready to help lead BYU’s D (Deseret News)
Fanalyst
Comments from Deseret News readers:
Given how many players returned from a 10-2 roster, there was not a need for a mass influx of transfers like some schools, but the handful of transfers BYU picked up look like they will have a significant impact. Uluave may lead the pack of impactful transfers.
— CougFaninTX
“Is AJ Dybantsa headed to the Washington Wizards?” For his sake, I hope not. Historically, they are the NBA’s equivalent of the NFL Jets, but that is better than if he got drafted by the Utah-Tankerz.
— majmajor
Up next
May 14-16 | 10 a.m. | Track & Field | Big 12 Championships
May 14 | 6 p.m. | Baseball | Kansas
May 15 | 6 p.m. | Baseball | Kansas
May 16 | 6 p.m. | Baseball | Kansas
