Cade Uluave (Image: BYU)
BYU continued its upward trajectory by finishing the 2025 season with a 12–2 record. Coming off an 11–2 campaign in 2024, the Cougars entered 2025 projected to compete for a major bowl appearance or College Football Playoff berth after retaining a productive roster built around a physical style of play. BYU defeated Utah for the third consecutive time in the “Holy War” with a narrow 24–21 victory in Provo, while other notable wins came against Arizona, TCU and Iowa State.
The Cougars made their first appearance in the Big 12 Championship Game but lost to Texas Tech 34–7. Their season ended on a positive note with a 25–21 victory over Georgia Tech in the Pop-Tarts Bowl.
Despite a successful season, BYU struggled against Texas Tech, losing both matchups by a combined score of 63–14. The Red Raiders held the Cougars to just 63 rushing yards and 137 passing yards in the Big 12 Championship Game. BYU entered the conference championship ranked No. 11 by the College Football Playoff committee, putting the Cougars in position to contend for a spot in the 12-team field. However, the loss damaged their playoff résumé, while analysts also pointed to a lack of high-profile non-conference wins as a factor working against them. The committee ultimately left BYU outside the College Football Playoff.
Head coach Kalani Sitake promoted Kelly Poppinga to defensive coordinator after Jay Hill accepted the same position at Michigan. Poppinga previously served as BYU’s special teams coordinator and defensive ends coach and spent six seasons on Bronco Mendenhall’s staff at Virginia. Under Poppinga’s guidance, linebacker Chris Peace led all ACC linebackers with 7.5 sacks during his senior season in 2018. With Poppinga on the defensive staff last season, BYU ranked sixth nationally in red-zone defense (70.4%) and red-zone touchdown defense (40.7%), seventh in interceptions (17) and 10th in defensive touchdowns (three).
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Sione Po’uha was promoted to associate head coach, while Justin Ena transitioned from linebackers coach to special teams coordinator. Demario Warren was hired as defensive passing game coordinator and safeties coach after helping Boise State rank 15th nationally in pass defense last season, allowing just 175.6 passing yards per game.
Two BYU players were selected in the 2026 NFL Draft after none were taken the previous year. Linebacker Jack Kelly was selected by the New York Giants in the sixth round, providing additional depth to their linebacker corps. Kelly ended his BYU tenure with 10 sacks, two forced fumbles and 55 total tackles. The Cleveland Browns selected tight end Carsen Ryan in the seventh round, adding a versatile option who can contribute as both a receiver and blocker. Ryan recorded career highs with 45 receptions and 620 receiving yards while adding three touchdowns in 2025. Wide receiver Chase Roberts signed with the Las Vegas Raiders as an undrafted free agent after totaling 170 receptions, 2,586 receiving yards and 18 touchdowns during his four-year tenure at BYU.
Quarterback Bear Bachmeier threw for 3,033 yards, 15 touchdowns and seven interceptions while completing 64.9% of his passes. He also rushed for 527 yards and 11 touchdowns. The signal-caller was named the 2025 Big 12 Offensive Freshman of the Year before earning MVP honors in the Pop-Tarts Bowl, where he threw for 325 yards, one touchdown and one interception. LJ Martin spearheaded BYU’s rushing attack with 1,305 yards and 12 touchdowns, earning Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year and First-Team All-Big 12 honors. Parker Kingston led the receiving corps with 928 yards and five touchdowns. Cornerback Evan Johnson anchored the secondary with five interceptions and seven pass deflections, while safety Faletau Satuala led the defense with 84 total tackles.
247Sports ranked BYU’s 2026 transfer class 39th nationally after the Cougars signed three four-star and six three-star prospects. Former California linebacker Cade Uluave is expected to anchor BYU’s linebacker corps, helping fill the void left by the NFL-bound Kelly. Uluave finished his three-year tenure at Cal with six sacks, 235 total tackles and three interceptions. The former Golden Bear was also named to the Butkus and Lombardi Award watchlists for the 2026 season.
Transfers Roger Saleapaga II and Walker Lyons could provide Bachmeier with two additional targets in the passing game while adding depth to the receiving corps. Their versatility could allow offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick to rotate between personnel packages and create favorable matchups in key situations. Lyons averaged 11.1 yards per reception last season, recording 20 catches for 223 yards. Former Washington offensive lineman Paki Finau provides the Cougars with a high-upside interior option who is expected to compete for a starting role.
BYU’s 2026 schedule appears relatively manageable, with ESPN’s Football Power Index ranking the slate 55th nationally in strength of schedule. Notre Dame and Utah headline the schedule, while the Cougars will avoid notable Big 12 opponents such as Texas Tech and Houston. Notre Dame will visit Provo in mid-October, potentially setting up a matchup between two top-15 teams looking to strengthen their College Football Playoff résumés. The Fighting Irish are 7–2 all-time against the Cougars, but a victory would give BYU the type of high-profile non-conference win its résumé lacked last season.
BYU’s visit to Salt Lake City could provide another difficult test, as the Cougars will face a Utah team projected to be among the Big 12’s best in the hostile environment at Rice-Eccles Stadium. The Cougars will also be looking for their fourth consecutive victory in the “Holy War” after defeating the Utes 24–21 last season.
Sitake’s team enters 2026 expecting to compete for a Big 12 title and a College Football Playoff berth. Optimism is high with Bachmeier coming off a promising freshman season, while Poppinga is expected to retain many of the defensive concepts used under Hill last season. BYU also returns several starters from its 12-win team, providing continuity on both sides of the ball.
Questions remain in the receiving corps because of significant turnover and uncertainty surrounding the unit’s new contributors. Jojo Phillips has dealt with injuries and inconsistent play, catching just 24 passes over two seasons, while Oregon transfer Kyler Kasper recorded only six receptions for 77 yards over four seasons. Despite the uncertainty at receiver, BYU’s standard preseason win total is set at 8.5, suggesting expectations for some regression following last season’s 12-win campaign. ESPN’s Football Power Index also gives the Cougars a 16.5% chance to win the Big 12 in 2026.
FanDuel Sportsbook lists BYU at +550 to win the Big 12 and +10000 to win the national championship.
BYU Cougars 2026-2027 Schedule & Tickets:
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