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2026 BYU Cougars football team

2026 BYU Cougars football
ConferenceBig 12 Conference
Record0–0 (0–0 Big 12)
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorAaron Roderick (6th season)
Defensive coordinatorKelly Poppinga (1st season)
Home stadiumLaVell Edwards Stadium
2026 Big 12 Conference football standings
Conf. Overall
Team   W   L     W   L  
Arizona   0 – 0     0 – 0  
Arizona State   0 – 0     0 – 0  
Baylor   0 – 0     0 – 0  
BYU   0 – 0     0 – 0  
Cincinnati   0 – 0     0 – 0  
Colorado   0 – 0     0 – 0  
Houston   0 – 0     0 – 0  
Iowa State   0 – 0     0 – 0  
Kansas   0 – 0     0 – 0  
Kansas State   0 – 0     0 – 0  
Oklahoma State   0 – 0     0 – 0  
TCU   0 – 0     0 – 0  
Texas Tech   0 – 0     0 – 0  
UCF   0 – 0     0 – 0  
Utah   0 – 0     0 – 0  
West Virginia   0 – 0     0 – 0  
Championship: December 4, 2026
As of February 16, 2026
Rankings from AP poll

The 2026 BYU Cougars football team will represent Brigham Young University (BYU) as a member of the Big 12 Conference during the 2026 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Cougars are led by 11th-year head coach Kalani Sitake and play their home games at LaVell Edwards Stadium.

Offseason

Coaching changes

On January 2, 2026, it was announced that defensive coordinator and safeties coach Jay Hill would depart to take the same position at the University of Michigan.[1] The next day, defensive pass game coordinator and longtime cornerbacks coach Jernaro Gilford would follow Hill to help coach the Wolverines.[2] On January 8, 2026, defensive ends coach and special teams coordinator Kelly Poppinga was promoted to be the new defensive coordinator, while defensive tackles coach Sione Po'uha was promoted to associate head coach, replacing Hill in that role. Demario Warren was also hired from Boise State as the new defensive pass game coordinator, and initially also as cornerbacks coach to replace Gilford.[3] However, nearly a month later, Lewis Walker was hired away from North Dakota State to coach the cornerbacks, while Warren was assigned to oversee the safeties. That same day, BYU announced the promotions of Justin Ena to special teams coordinator, and senior defensive analyst Chad Kuaha'aha'a to outside linebackers coach. Poppinga and Po'uha's positional coaching roles were also further defined and adjusted, with Po'uha now overseeing the entire defensive line and Poppinga moving to coach the inside linebackers.[4]

2026 recruits

Name Pos. Height Weight Hometown Notes
Brock Harris TE 6'6" 238 St. George, Utah Mission prior to enrolling [5]
Adam Bywater LB 6'3" 210 Holladay, Utah Mission prior to enrolling [6]
Antonio Johnson DB 6'4" 180 Fort Worth, Texas [7]
Jax Tanner OL 6'4" 275 Meridian, Idaho Mission prior to enrolling [8]
Graham Livingston WR 5'11" 180 Providence, Utah Mission prior to enrolling [9]
Kaue Akana DB 6'3" 200 Orem, Utah Mission prior to enrolling [10]
Bott Mulitalo OL 6'5" 290 American Fork, Utah [11]
Justice Brathwaite DB 6'1" 190 Gilbert, Arizona [12]
Nehemiah Kolone DL 6'4" 265 Stillwater, Oklahoma [13]
Devaughn Eka RB 5'11" 190 Lehi, Utah [14]
Braxton Lindsey DL 6'3" 230 Rogers, Arkansas [15]
Matthew Mason DB 6'3" 190 Las Vegas, Nevada [16]
Sefanaia Alatini DB 6'2" 199 Mountain View, California [17]
Legend Glasker WR 6'2" 175 Lehi, Utah [18]
Parker Ord TE 6'4" 215 Frisco, Texas Mission prior to enrolling[19]
Ty Goettsche TE 6'6" 225 Englewood, Colorado Mission prior to enrolling[20]
Lopeti Moala DL 6'4" 255 Orem, Utah [21]
Terrance Saryon WR 5'11" 175 Portland, Oregon [22]
Ryder Lyons QB 6'3" 225 Folsom, California Mission prior to enrolling[23]
Jaron Pula WR 6'3" 195 Highland, Utah [24]
Kennan Pula DB 6'3" 195 Highland, Utah [25]

2026 returned missionaries

Enoch Watson QB 6'3" 202 Freshman [26]
Jett Nelson WR 6'5" 210 Freshman [27]
Matthew Fredrick TE 6'5" 230 Freshman [28]
David Tangilanu DL 6'5" 255 Freshman [29]
Owen Borg LB 6'2" 200 Freshman [30]
Blake Lowe LB 6'3" 205 Freshman [31]
Talitu'i Pututau DL 6'5" 260 Freshman [32]
Adney Reid DL 6'5" 225 Freshman [33]
Micah Beckstead RB 5'11" 210 Freshman [34]
Ian Sanches K 6'0" 180 Freshman [35]

2026 other additions

Name Pos. Height Weight Year Previous school
Kyler Kasper WR 6'6" 210 Junior Transfer from University of Oregon[36]
Walker Lyons TE 6'4" 245 Junior Transfer from University of Southern California[37]
Zak Yamauchi OL 6'4" 325 Sophomore Transfer from Stanford University[38]
Paki Finau OL 6'5" 319 Sophomore Transfer from University of Washington[39]
Jr Sia OL 6'5" 325 Junior Transfer from Utah State University[40]
Cade Uluave LB 6'1" 235 Senior Transfer from University of California, Berkeley[41]
Jake Clifton LB 6'2" 222 Junior Transfer from Kansas State University[42]
Jayven Williams DB 6'2" 185 Senior Transfer from Mississippi State University[43]
Roger Saleapaga TE 6'4" 245 Junior Transfer from University of Oregon[44]
Seth Shigg DB 5'10" 182 Freshman Transfer from Army University[45]
Daniel Taumoepeau LB 6'0" 220 Sophomore Transfer from Eastern Washington University[46]
Rayden Heintz LS 6'0" 210 Sophomore Transfer from Snow College[47]

2026 departures

Name Pos. Height Weight Year Reason
Talan Alfrey DB 6'2" 205 Senior Graduation
Mory Bamba DB 6'3" 190 Senior Graduation
Jayden Dunlap DB 6'0" 185 Senior Graduation
Ethan Erickson TE 6'5" 245 Senior Graduation
Will Ferrin K 6'3" 175 Senior Graduation
Garrison Grimes LS 6'2" 220 Senior Graduation
Isaiah Jatta OL 6'6" 315 Senior Graduation
Jack Kelly LB 6'2" 242 Senior Graduation
Weylin Lapuaho OL 6'4" 310 Senior Graduation
Austin Leausa OL 6'5" 315 Senior Graduation
Logan Lutui DL 6'2" 260 Senior Graduation
Enoch Nawahine RB 5'10" 205 Senior Graduation
Kaufusi Pafoke DL 6'4" 345 Senior Graduation
Chase Roberts WR 6'4" 210 Senior Graduation
Carsen Ryan TE 6'4" 250 Senior Graduation
John Taumoepeau DL 6'3" 300 Senior Graduation
Tanner Wall DB 6'1" 205 Senior Graduation
Emerson Geilman QB 6'4" 207 Freshman Mission
Tyler Payne LB 6'1" 220 Freshman Mission
Lamason Waller III WR 6'1" 190 Freshman Transfer
Dominique McKenzie WR 5'11" 180 Freshman Transfer
Jake Griffin OL 6'5" 305 Sophomore Transfer
Marcus McKenzie DB 5'11" 185 Sophomore Transfer
McCae Hillstead QB 5'10" 195 Sophomore Transfer
Ikinasio Tupou OL 6'6" 295 Freshman Transfer
Tucker Kelleher TE 6'6" 225 Freshman Transfer
Sani Tuala DL 6'5" 270 Sophomore Transfer
Sione Hingano OL 6'6" 300 Freshman Transfer
Tayvion Beasley DB 5'11" 185 Junior Transfer
Max Alford LB 6'1" 230 Junior Transfer
Choe Bryant-Strother LB 6'3" 240 Junior Transfer
Parker Kingston WR 5'11" 185 Junior Expulsion

Schedule

DateOpponentSiteResult
September 5Utah Tech*
September 12Arizona
  • LaVell Edwards Stadium
  • Provo, UT
September 19at Colorado State*
October 3at TCU
October 10Iowa State
  • LaVell Edwards Stadium
  • Provo, UT
October 17Notre Dame*
  • LaVell Edwards Stadium
  • Provo, UT
October 24at UCF
October 31Arizona State
  • LaVell Edwards Stadium
  • Provo, UT
November 7at Utah
November 14Baylor
  • LaVell Edwards Stadium
  • Provo, UT
November 21at Kansas
November 28Cincinnati
  • LaVell Edwards Stadium
  • Provo, UT
  • *Non-conference game
  • Source: [48]

Personnel

Coaching staff

Name Position
Kalani Sitake Head coach
Sione Po'uha Associate head coach/defensive line coach
Kelly Poppinga Defensive coordinator/inside linebackers coach
Aaron Roderick Offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach
Justin Ena Special teams coordinator
TJ Woods Run game coordinator/offensive line coach
Fesi Sitake Passing game coordinator/wide receivers coach
Harvey Unga Running backs coach
Kevin M. Gilbride Tight ends coach
Demario Warren Defensive pass game coordinator/safeties coach
Lewis Walker Cornerbacks coach
Chad Kauha’aha’a Outside linebackers coach

Roster

2026 BYU Cougars football team roster
Players Coaches
Offense
Pos. # Name Class
QB 47 Bear Bachmeier So
QB 10 Treyson Bourguet Sr
QB 17 Cole Hagen Jr
QB 18 Enoch Watson Fr
OL 65 Brigham Alexander Fr
OL 72 Joe Brown So
OL 79 Kaden Chidester Jr
OL Pika Finau So
OL 75 Andrew Gentry Sr
OL 59 Siosiua Latu-Finau Fr
OL 76 Jeff Lewis Fr
OL 53 Strantz Mangisi So
OL 51 Sonny Makasini Sr
OL 73 Caden McKee Fr
OL 63 Bruce Mitchell Sr
OL Bott Mulitalo Fr
OL 74 Trevin Ostler Sr
OL 67 Trevor Pay So
OL 64 Kyle Sfarcioc Sr
OL Jr Sia Jr
OL 78 Ethan Thomason Fr
OL 68 Andrew Williams Fr
OL Zak Yamauchi So
RB Micah Beckstead Fr
RB 28 Jovesa Damuni So
RB Devaughn Eka Fr
RB 41 Lucky Finau Jr
RB 4 LJ Martin Sr
RB 34 Charlie Miska So
RB 30 Sione Moa So
RB 38 Logan Payne Fr
RB 12 Preston Rex Sr
TE 86 Cole Clement Fr
TE Matthew Fredrick Fr
TE Walker Lyons Jr
TE 82 Noah Moeaki So
TE 45 Keayen Nead Sr
TE 80 Jacob Nye Fr
TE Roger Saleapaga Jr
TE 85 Anthony Olsen Sr
TE 24 Ethan Wood So
TE 32 Will Zundel So
WR 19 Tiger Bachmeier Sr
WR 33 Jared Esplin Fr
WR 7 Reggie Frischknecht So
WR Legend Glasker Fr
WR 5 Cody Hagen Jr
WR 42 Quinn Hale Fr
WR 39 Carter Hancock Fr
WR Kyler Kasper Jr
WR 84 Kila Keone Fr
WR 0 Tei Nacua So
WR Jett Nelson Fr
WR 13 Jojo Phillips Jr
WR Jaron Pula Fr
WR 29 Rowan Reay Sr
WR 22 Trey Roberts Fr
WR Terrance Saryon Fr
Defense
Pos. # Name Class
DB Sefanaia Alatini Fr
DB 1 Therrian Alexander Jr
DB Justice Brathwaite Fr
DB 39 Crew Clark Fr
DB 26 Jordyn Criss Fr
DB 3 Raider Damuni Sr
DB 20 Cannon Devries So
DB 31 Kevin Doe Jr
DB 37 Joseph Douglas Fr
DB Antonio Johnson Fr
DB 0 Evan Johnson Sr
DB 2 Jonathan Kabeya So
DB 35 Jarinn Kalama So
DB 27 Matthias Leach So
DB Matthew Mason Fr
DB 22 Tommy Prassas So
DB Kennan Pula Fr
DB 11 Faletau Satuala Jr
DB Seth Shigg Fr
DB 24 Payton VanSteenkiste So
DB Jayven Williams Sr
DL 13 Tausili Akana Jr
DL 59 Siosefa Brown Fr
DL 90 Hunter Clegg So
DL 99 Ulavai Fetuli Fr
DL 97 Kinilau Fonohema So
DL 93 Justin Kirkland Sr
DL 37 Nehemiah Kolone
DL 93 Kelepi Latu-Finau Fr
DL Braxton Lindsey Fr
DL 50 Maverick McManus Fr
DL 53 Orion Maile-Kaufusi So
DL Lopeti Moala Fr
DL Adney Reid Fr
DL 45 Viliami Po'uha Jr
DL 94 Anisi Purcell Sr
DL Talitu'i Pututau Fr
DL 48 Bodie Schoonover Sr
DL David Tangilanu Fr
DL 57 Keanu Tanuvasa Sr
DL 52 Vincent Tautua Fr
DL 46 Kendal Wall Fr
LB 47 Berkley Alfrey Fr
LB 44 Ephraim Asiata So
LB Owen Borg Fr
LB Jake Clifton Jr
LB 54 Siale Esera Jr
LB 16 Isaiah Glasker Sr
LB 21 Miles Hall Jr
LB 18 Ace Kaufusi Jr
LB 34 Maika Kaufusi Jr
LB Blake Lowe Fr
LB Daniel Taumoepeau So
LB 5 Nusi Taumoepeau So
LB 43 Naki Tuakoi So
LB Cade Uluave Sr
LB 23 Pierson Watson So
Special teams
Pos. # Name Class
DS Rayden Heintz So
DS 43 Ty Smith Fr
P 31 Fuller Shurtz So
P 35 Sam Van Der Haar Sr
K 97 Matthias Dunn Sr
K Ian Sanches Fr
Head coach
Coordinators/assistant coaches

[49]

Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (S) Suspended
  • (I) Ineligible
  • Injured Injured
  • Redshirt Redshirt

Roster

Depth chart

References

  1. ^ "Jay Hill Exiting BYU To Join Michigan Wolverines Staff". January 2, 2026.
  2. ^ "BYU Football Assistant Follows Jay Hill To Michigan". January 3, 2026.
  3. ^ "BYU promotes former LB Kelly Poppinga to defensive coordinator, adds Demario Warren".
  4. ^ "BYU Football Hires Lewis Walker from North Dakota State, Announces Full Defensive Staff".
  5. ^ "Brock Harris". BYU Cougars. Retrieved December 3, 2025.
  6. ^ "Adam Bywater". BYU Cougars. Retrieved December 3, 2025.
  7. ^ "Antonio Johnson". BYU Cougars. Retrieved December 3, 2025.
  8. ^ "Jax Tanner". BYU Cougars. Retrieved December 3, 2025.
  9. ^ "Graham Livingston". BYU Cougars. Retrieved December 3, 2025.
  10. ^ "Kaue Akana". BYU Cougars. Retrieved December 3, 2025.
  11. ^ "Bott Mulitalo". BYU Cougars. Retrieved December 3, 2025.
  12. ^ "Justice Brathwaite". BYU Cougars. Retrieved December 3, 2025.
  13. ^ "Nehemiah Kolone". BYU Cougars. Retrieved December 3, 2025.
  14. ^ "Devaughn Eka". BYU Cougars. Retrieved December 3, 2025.
  15. ^ "Braxton Lindsey". BYU Cougars. Retrieved December 3, 2025.
  16. ^ "Matthew Mason". BYU Cougars. Retrieved December 3, 2025.
  17. ^ "Sefanaia Alatini". BYU Cougars. Retrieved December 3, 2025.
  18. ^ "Legend Glasker". BYU Cougars. Retrieved December 3, 2025.
  19. ^ "Parker Ord". BYU Cougars. Retrieved December 3, 2025.
  20. ^ "Ty Goettsche". BYU Cougars. Retrieved December 3, 2025.
  21. ^ "Lopeti Moala". BYU Cougars. Retrieved December 3, 2025.
  22. ^ "Terrance Saryon". BYU Cougars. Retrieved December 3, 2025.
  23. ^ "Ryder Lyons". BYU Cougars. Retrieved December 3, 2025.
  24. ^ "Jaron Pula". BYU Cougars. Retrieved December 5, 2025.
  25. ^ "Kennan Pula". BYU Cougars. Retrieved December 5, 2025.
  26. ^ "Enoch Watson". BYU Cougars. Retrieved December 21, 2023.
  27. ^ "Jett Nelson". BYU Cougars. Retrieved December 21, 2023.
  28. ^ "Matthew Fredrick – 2023 BYU Football Recruiting Class". BYU Cougars. Retrieved December 21, 2023.
  29. ^ "David Tangilanu – 2023 BYU Football Recruiting Class". BYU Cougars. Retrieved December 21, 2023.
  30. ^ "Owen Borg – 2023 BYU Football Recruiting Class". BYU Cougars. Retrieved December 21, 2023.
  31. ^ "Blake Lowe – 2024 BYU Football Recruiting Class". byucougars.com. BYU Cougars. Retrieved December 21, 2024.
  32. ^ "Talitu'i "Tui" Pututau – 2023 BYU Football Recruiting Class". byucougars.com. Archived from the original on December 21, 2022. Retrieved December 15, 2025.
  33. ^ "Adney Reid – 2024 BYU Football Recruiting Class". BYU Cougars. Retrieved December 21, 2024.
  34. ^ "Micah Beckstead". BYU Cougars. Retrieved November 3, 2025.
  35. ^ "Ian Sanches". BYU Cougars. Retrieved November 3, 2025.
  36. ^ "Kyler Kasper". BYU Cougars.
  37. ^ "Walker Lyons". BYU Cougars.
  38. ^ "Zak Yamauchi". BYU Cougars.
  39. ^ "Paki Finau". BYU Cougars.
  40. ^ "Jr Sia". BYU Cougars.
  41. ^ "Cade Uluave". BYU Cougars.
  42. ^ "Jake Clifton". BYU Cougars.
  43. ^ "Jayven Williams". BYU Cougars.
  44. ^ "Roger Saleapaga". BYU Cougars.
  45. ^ "Seth Shigg". BYU Cougars.
  46. ^ "Daniel Taumoepeau". BYU Cougars.
  47. ^ "Rayden Heintz". BYU Cougars.
  48. ^ "2026 BYU Football Schedule". fbschedules.com.
  49. ^ "BYU Men's Football Staff". BYU Athletics. Archived from the original on January 22, 2012. Retrieved December 22, 2020.
  50. ^ a b "BYU Cougars Depth Chart".
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