2026 BYU Cougars football team

2026 BYU Cougars football
Conference	Big 12 Conference
Record	0–0 (0–0 Big 12)
Head coach	Kalani Sitake (11th season)
Offensive coordinator	Aaron Roderick (6th season)
Defensive coordinator	Kelly Poppinga (1st season)
Home stadium	LaVell Edwards Stadium
Seasons ←  2025 2027 →

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 cornerbacks coach and defensive pass game coordinator. ^[3]

2026 recruits

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

2026 returned missionaries

Enoch Watson	QB	6'3"	202	Freshman	[25]
Jett Nelson	WR	6'5"	210	Freshman	[26]
Matthew Fredrick	TE	6'5"	230	Freshman	[27]
David Tangilanu	DL	6'5"	255	Freshman	[28]
Owen Borg	LB	6'2"	200	Freshman	[29]
Motekiai Mo'unga	DL	6'3"	250	Freshman	[30]
Talitu'i Pututau	DL	6'5"	260	Freshman	[31]

2026 other additions

Name	Pos.	Height	Weight	Year	Previous school
Kyler Kasper	WR	6'6"	210	Junior	Transfer from University of Oregon [32]
Walker Lyons	TE	6'4"	245	Junior	Transfer from University of Southern California [33]
Zak Yamauchi	OL	6'4"	325	Sophomore	Transfer from University of Stanford [34]
Paki Finau	OL	6'5"	319	Sophomore	Transfer from University of Washington [35]
Jr Sia	OL	6'5"	325	Junior	Transfer from Utah State University [36]
Cade Uluave	LB	6'1"	235	Senior	Transfer from University of California [37]
Jake Clifton	LB	6'2"	222	Junior	Transfer from Kansas State University [38]
Jayven Williams	DB	6'2"	185	Senior	Transfer from Mississippi State University [39]
Roger Saleapaga	TE	6'4"	245	Junior	Transfer from University of Oregon [40]

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
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

Personnel

Coaching staff

Name	Position
Kalani Sitake	Head coach
Kelly Poppinga	Defensive coordinator/defensive ends coach
Aaron Roderick	Offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach
Vacant	Special teams coordinator/safeties coach
TJ Woods	Run game coordinator/offensive line coach
Fesi Sitake	Passing game coordinator/wide receivers coach
Justin Ena	Linebackers coach
Kevin M. Gilbride	Tight ends coach
Demario Warren	Defensive passing game coordinator/cornerbacks coach
Harvey Unga	Running backs coach
Sione Po'uha	Associate head coach/defensive tackles 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 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 Ty Goettsche 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 11 Parker Kingston Sr 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 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 Motekiai Mo'unga 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 42 Tyler Payne Fr 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 43 Ty Smith Fr P 31 Fuller Shurtz So P 35 Sam Van Der Haar Sr K 97 Matthias Dunn Sr	Head coach Kalani Sitake (BYU) Coordinators/assistant coaches Kelly Poppinga (BYU) Defensive coordinator/defensive ends Aaron Roderick (BYU) Offensive coordinator/quarterbacks Vacant (BYU) Special teams coordinator/safeties TJ Woods (Azusa Pacific) Offensive line/run game coordinator Fesi Sitake (Southern Utah) Passing game coordinator/Wide Receivers Kevin M. Gilbride (Hawaiʻi) Tight ends Harvey Unga (BYU) Running backs Justin Ena (BYU) Linebackers Demario Warren (UC Davis) Defensive passing game coordinator/Cornerbacks Sione Po'uha (Utah) Associate head coach/defensive tackles [41] Legend (C) Team captain (S) Suspended (I) Ineligible Injured Redshirt Roster

Depth chart

Defense [42] FS Raider Damuni Matthias Leach Payton VanSteenkiste WLB MLB SLB Ace Kaufusi Siale Esera Isaiah Glasker Ephraim Asiata Miles Hall Nusi Taumeopeau Naki Tuakoi Pierson Watson Maika Kaufusi SS Faletau Satuala Tommy Prassas Jarrin Kalama CB Therrian Alexander III Jonathan Kabeya Jordyn Criss DE DT DT DE Bodie Schoonover Justin Kirkland Keanu Tanuvasa Hunter Clegg Viliami Po'uha Ulavai Fetuli Anisi Purcell Tausili AKana Orion Maile-Kaufusi Kelepi Latu-Finau Kendal Wall Kinilau Fonohema CB Evan Johnson Cannon Devries Kevin Doe Offense [42] X-Receiver JoJo Phillips Cody Hagen Tiger Bachmeier LT LG C RG RT Trevin Ostler Sonny Makasini Bruce Mitchell Kyle Sfarcioc Andrew Gentry Ethan Thomason Joe Brown Trevor Pay David Clifford Kaden Chidester Jeff Lewis Siosiua Latu-Finau Strantz Mangisi Caden Mckee Andrew Williams TE Keayen Nead Noah Moeaki Anthony Olsen Z-Receiver Parker Kingston Tei Nacua Reggie Frischknecht QB Bear Bachmeier Treyson Bourguet Cole Hagen Key reserves DL Vincent Tautua WR Trey Roberts DB Crew Clark WR Rowan Reay TE Will Zundel TE Jacob Nye LB Tyler Payne TE Ethan Wood RB LJ Martin Jovesa Damuni Preston Rex FB Sione Moa Logan Payne Lucky Finau Special teams PK Matthias Dunn P Sam Vander Haar P Fuller Shurtz KR Cody Hagan KR Tiger Bachmeier PR Parker Kingston PR Tiger Bachmeier LS Ty Smith LS H Sam Vander Haar H Fuller Shurtz

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. "Brock Harris". BYU Cougars . Retrieved December 3, 2025.
5. "Adam Bywater". BYU Cougars . Retrieved December 3, 2025.
6. "Antonio Johnson". BYU Cougars . Retrieved December 3, 2025.
7. "Jax Tanner". BYU Cougars . Retrieved December 3, 2025.
8. "Graham Livingston". BYU Cougars . Retrieved December 3, 2025.
9. "Kaue Akana". BYU Cougars . Retrieved December 3, 2025.
10. "Bott Mulitalo". BYU Cougars . Retrieved December 3, 2025.
11. "Justice Brathwaite". BYU Cougars . Retrieved December 3, 2025.
12. "Nehemiah Kolone". BYU Cougars . Retrieved December 3, 2025.
13. "Devaughn Eka". BYU Cougars . Retrieved December 3, 2025.
14. "Braxton Lindsey". BYU Cougars . Retrieved December 3, 2025.
15. "Matthew Mason". BYU Cougars . Retrieved December 3, 2025.
16. "Sefanaia Alatini". BYU Cougars . Retrieved December 3, 2025.
17. "Legend Glasker". BYU Cougars . Retrieved December 3, 2025.
18. "Parker Ord". BYU Cougars . Retrieved December 3, 2025.
19. "Ty Goettsche". BYU Cougars . Retrieved December 3, 2025.
20. "Lopeti Moala". BYU Cougars . Retrieved December 3, 2025.
21. "Terrance Saryon". BYU Cougars . Retrieved December 3, 2025.
22. "Ryder Lyons". BYU Cougars . Retrieved December 3, 2025.
23. "Jaron Pula". BYU Cougars . Retrieved December 5, 2025.
24. "Kennan Pula". BYU Cougars . Retrieved December 5, 2025.
25. "Enoch Watson". BYU Cougars . Retrieved December 21, 2023.
26. "Jett Nelson". BYU Cougars . Retrieved December 21, 2023.
27. "Matthew Fredrick – 2023 BYU Football Recruiting Class". BYU Cougars . Retrieved December 21, 2023.
28. "David Tangilanu – 2023 BYU Football Recruiting Class". BYU Cougars . Retrieved December 21, 2023.
29. "Owen Borg – 2023 BYU Football Recruiting Class". BYU Cougars . Retrieved December 21, 2023.
30. "Motekiai Mo'unga – 2023 BYU Football Recruiting Class". byucougars.com. Archived from the original on February 1, 2023. Retrieved December 15, 2025.
31. "Talitu'i "Tui" Pututau – 2023 BYU Football Recruiting Class". byucougars.com. Archived from the original on December 21, 2022. Retrieved December 15, 2025.
32. "Kyler Kasper". BYU Cougars.
33. "Walker Lyons". BYU Cougars.
34. "Zak Yamauchi". BYU Cougars.
35. "Paki Finau". BYU Cougars.
36. "Jr Sia". BYU Cougars.
37. "Cade Uluave". BYU Cougars.
38. "Jake Clifton". BYU Cougars.
39. "Jayven Williams". BYU Cougars.
40. "Roger Saleapaga". BYU Cougars.
41. "BYU Men's Football Staff". BYU Athletics. Archived from the original on January 22, 2012. Retrieved December 22, 2020.
42. "BYU Cougars Depth Chart".