Updated roster projection for the 2026 BYU football season

In previous years, the selection was far from finalized during Spring Camp. That was not the case in 2026. With the only transfer window being in January, Spring Camp gave us a good idea of ​​what BYU’s roster will look like when the Cougars kick off the 2026 season against Utah Tech.

However, between the missionaries returning home, the 2026 signees joining the program, the retirements, and the late additions to the roster, there has been enough roster movement to update our roster projections for the 2026 season. New additions that were not on the spring schedule are shown in bold.

Quarterbacks

• 10 – Treyson Bourguet (RS-Senior)
• 17 – Enoch Watson (freshman)
• 20 – Max Barker (junior)
• 47 – Beer Bachmeier (second year)
• TBA – John Sanders (sophomore)

With John Sanders added to the room, BYU has a maximum of four quarterbacks on the roster. In our latest projection, we added John Sanders and removed Owen Geilman. Geilman was a late addition to the spring roster.

Bear Bachmeier is the clear starter entering 2026. Behind Bachmeier, the backup job is there for the taking. Treyson Bourguet and Enoch Watson will battle for that job during Fall Camp, and John Sanders will try to make the case that he also deserves a chance to win the backup job.

Running backs

• 4 – LJ Martin (senior)
• 12 – Preston Rex (RS-Senior)
• 25 – Devaughn Eka (freshman)
• 28 – Jovesa Damuni (RS-sophomore)
• 30 – Sione Moa (RS-sophomore)
• 34 – Charlie Miska (RS-sophomore)
• 38 – Logan Payne (RS freshman)
• 41 – Lucky Finau (RS-Junior)
• 42 – Micah Beckstead (freshman)

LJ Martin enters the 2026 season as the best running back in the Big 12 and one of the best backs in the country. His health will be of utmost importance as BYU is largely inexperienced behind him.

Sione Moa will play a big role for BYU in 2026 if he can stay healthy. Injuries were an issue in his first two years in the program.

Wide receivers

• 0 – Tei Nacua (RS-sophomore)
• 3 – Kyler Kasper (RS-Junior)
• 13 – Jojo Phillips (RS-Junior)
• 18 – Reggie Frischknecht (RS-sophomore)
• 19 – Tiger Bachmeier (Senior)
• 21 – Jaron Pula (freshman)
• 22 – Trey Roberts (RS freshman)
• 23 – Terrance Saryon (freshman)
• 29 – Rowan Reay (senior)
• 33 – Jared Esplin (RS freshman)
• 84 – Kila Keone (RS freshman)
• 88 – Legend Glasker (freshman)
• 89 – Jett Nelson (freshman)

Cody Hagen retired from football due to injuries. Now BYU enters 2026 with even more question marks at wide receiver. The unexpected departures of Cody Hagen and Parker Kingston give freshman BYU wide receivers Legend Glasker, Jaron Pula and Terrance Saryon a chance to make an immediate impact.

Tight ends

• 2 – Roger Saleapaga II (junior)
• 7 – Walker Lyons (junior)
• 24 – Ethan Wood (junior)
• 44 – Josh Davis (freshman)
• 45 – Keayen Nead (senior)
• 80 – Jacob Nye (RS freshman)
• 82 – Noah Moeaki (RS-sophomore)
• 83 – Will Zundel (RS-sophomore)
• 86 – Cole Clement (RS freshman)
• 87 – Matthew Fredrick (freshman)

The answer to BYU’s questions at wide receiver could be answered by the tight ends. Roger Saleapaga and Walker Lyons were standouts during BYU’s Spring Camp. Both Saleapaga and Lyon are expected to play major roles in the BYU offense in 2026.

Offensive line

• 51 – Sonny Makasini (RS-Senior)
• 52 – Bott Mulitalo (freshman)
• 53 – Strantz Mangisi (RS freshman)
• 56 – Zak Yamauchi (sophomore)
• 57 – Talitu’i Pututau (freshman)
• 58 – Park Finau (RS-sophomore)
• 59 – Siosiua Latu-Finau (RS freshman)
• 62 – Jr Sia (RS-Junior)
• 63 – Bruce Mitchell (RS-Senior)
• 64 – Kyle Sfarcioc (RS-Senior)
• 66 – Brigham Alexander (RS freshman)
• 67 – Trevor Pay (RS sophomore)
• 68 – Andrew Williams (RS freshman)
• 72 – Joe Brown (RS-sophomore)
• 73 – Caden McKee (RS freshman)
• 74 – Trevin Ostler (RS-Senior)
• 75 – Andrew Gentry (RS-Senior)
• 76 – Jeff Lewis (RS freshman)
• 78 – Ethan Thomason (RS freshman)
• 79 – Kaden Chidester (RS-Junior)

The BYU offensive line that was in Spring Camp is the same offensive line that BYU will roll out in 2026. We expect Andrew Gentry, Bruce Mitchell, Kyle Sfarcioc and Paki Finau to start. The last starting spot is up for grabs.

Defensive line

• 5 – Nusi Taumoepeau (second year)
• 10 – Orion Maile-Kaufusi (RS-sophomore)
• 13 – Tausili Akana (RS-Junior)
• 30 – Braxton Lindsey (freshman)
• 41 – Nehemia Kolone (freshman)
• 42 – Adney Reid (freshman)
• 45 – Viliami Po’uha (junior)
• 46 – Kendal Wall (RS freshman)
• 48 – Bodie Schoonover (RS-Senior)
• 50 – Maverick McManus (RS freshman)
• 52 – Vincent Tautua (RS freshman)
• 57 – Keanu Tanuvasa (RS-Senior)
• 58 – David Tangilanu (freshman)
• 59 – Siosefa Brown (RS freshman)
• 90 – Hunter Clegg (sophomore)
• 93 – Kelepi Latu-Finau (RS freshman)
• 94 – Anisi Purcell (RS-Senior)
• 96 – Justin Kirkland (RS-senior)
• 97 – Kinilau Fonohema (RS-sophomore)
• 99 – Ulavai Fetuli (RS freshman)
• TBA – Devoux Tuataga (freshman)

Returned missionary Devoux Tuataga will join the squad after returning home from his mission. The former Polynesian Bowl participant adds to the young talent in BYU’s defensive end room.

Linebackers

• 4 – Cade Uluave (Senior)
• 16 – Isaiah Glasker (RS-Senior)
• 18 – Ace Kaufusi (RS-Junior)
• 21 – Miles Hall (RS Junior)
• 23 – Pierson Watson (RS freshman)
• 31 – Jake Clifton (junior)
• 33 – Maika Kaufusi (RS Junior)
• 34 – Daniel Taumoepeau (RS-Junior)
• 43 – Owen Borg (freshman)
• 44 – Ephraim Asiata (RS-sophomore)
• 47 – Berkley Alfrey (RS freshman)
• 51 – Gage Tanner (freshman)
• 54 – Siale Esera (RS Junior)
• 55 – Blake Lowe (freshman)

BYU is loaded at linebacker. The Cougars are led by veterans Isaiah Glasker, Cade Uluave and Siale Esera. Ace Kaufusi, Jake Clifton and Miles Hall are on hand to support the three veterans.

Protections

• 3 – Raider Damini (senior)
• 11 – Faletau Satuala (Junior)
• 17 – Jarin Kalama (RS-sophomore)
• 22 – Tommy Prassas (RS-sophomore)
• 24 – Payton VanSteenkiste (RS-Sophomore)
• 25 – Kennan Pula (freshman)
• 27 – Matthias Leach (RS-sophomore)
• 28 – Crew Clark (RS freshman)
• 35 – Matthew Mason (freshman)
• 37 – Joseph Douglas (sophomore)

Raider Damuni, Faletau Satuala and Tommy Prassas enter the season as BYU’s top three safeties. Behind these three, Kennan Pula and Jarinn Kalama round out the rotation.

Cornerbacks

• 0 – Evan Johnson (RS-Senior)
• 1 – Therrian Alexander III (Junior)
• 2 – Jonathan Kabeya (RS-sophomore)
• 15 – Jayven Williams (RS-Senior)
• 20 – Kevin Doe (RS-Junior)
• 26 – Jordyn Criss (RS freshman)
• 29 – Judge Brathwaite (freshman)
• 32 – Kanon DeVries (sophomore)
• 39 – Seth Shigg (freshman)
• TBA – Antonio Johnson

2026 signee Antonio Johnson will join the program in time for Fall Camp. Evan Johnson, Tre Alexander III, Jayven Williams and Jonathan Kabeya will be in the rotation for BYU, with Jordyn Criss also pushing for playing time.

Specialists

• 19 – Fuller Shurtz (RS freshman)
• 38 – Ian Sanches (freshman)
• 43 – Ty Smith (RS sophomore)
• 46 – Braden Gilbert (freshman)
• 97 – Matthias Dunn (RS-Senior)
• TBA – Brody Laga

Brody Laga joins the squad after returning home from his mission. Laga will compete for the starting job, according to Justin Ena.

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