While an official date has not been announced yet, spring ball for the BYU Cougars is just around the corner. It will likely begin sometime in the next three weeks.
Fresh off of a stellar 12-2 season that saw them make it to Arlington for the Big 12 title game and defeat Georgia Tech in the Pop Tarts Bowl, the Cougars look to build on that success in 2026.
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Let’s take a look at where BYU stands on the offensive side of the ball with a little time before spring practices.
Quarterbacks
The headliner remains the same. Bear Bachmeier is the undisputed signal caller. He passed for 3,033 yards and 15 touchdowns while running for 527 yards and 11 scores, earning himself Big 12 Freshman of the Year. He was the first BYU freshman QB to beat Utah as a starter and helped BYU come back to win after trailing in six games.
BYU’s biggest task will be keeping him healthy, as he ended the season fairly banged up.
With McCae Hillstead transferring to Utah State, Treyson Bourguet and Cole Hagen are set to be the backups. Enoch Watson returned from his mission and is considered an exceptional athlete. He will likely get a look to be the main backup in camp.
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Running Backs
Like quarterback, the main head man returns to run it back. LJ Martin had an excellent season in 2025 running the rock for the Cougars. After tallying 1,305 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns, Martin was named the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year. He returns for his senior season after racking up the seventh-most rushing yards in a single season in school history. The offense will likely run through him and Bachmeier once more.
He needs 1,361 rushing yards to become BYU’s all-time leading rusher.
The Cougars also return the Robin to Martin’s Batman, in Sione Moa. After having an injury-shortened 2025 campaign, Moa likely will get the main backup running back reps again.
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Jovesa Damuni and Preston Rex will likely have a thing or two to say about that, wanting to earn reps in camp.
Wide Receivers and Tight Ends
Let’s address the elephant in the room. The university announced that former BYU receiver Parker Kingston is no longer with the team or the school.
“As of Friday, Parker Kingston is no longer a student at Brigham Young University and is no longer a member of the BYU football team. University administration and athletic administration, including BYU Head Coach Kalani Sitake, were only made aware of the investigation and allegations after Kingston’s arrest this past Wednesday, Feb. 11.”
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Of course, the issues surrounding Kingston are much more serious than just football, given he was arrested last week on a first-degree felony rape charge stemming from an alleged incident in February 2025.
But since this is a football piece, we will stick to that.
Needless to say, the Cougars will need to replace a massive void in the receiver room. Luckily, they have all of spring and summer to figure that out.
Jojo Phillips is now the returning receiver that had the most receptions last season (14). That isn’t saying much. The pass-catching group will look very different.
BYU will certainly miss tight end Carsen Ryan, who was a revelation for the Cougars after coming in as a senior transfer. Chase Roberts is off to try his hand in the NFL. It now comes down to Phillips and a host of newcomers and players looking for bigger roles.
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At tight end, former four-star recruit and USC tight end Walker Lyons transfers in. He is a dynamic athlete with NFL potential. If Aaron Roderick found ways to make Carsen Ryan successful, he should be foaming at the mouth to get to work with Lyons. He just might become Bachmeier’s favorite new target.
Roger Saleapaga transfers in from Oregon as another solid option at tight end.
Cody Hagen is the most likely candidate to replace Kingston’s skillset, given his speed. He can be electric on special teams and getting vertical in the passing game.
Kyler Kasper was the transfer that brought some of the biggest buzz this cycle in Provo, coming over from Oregon. He has a massive 6-foot-6 frame that should play well for deep passes and red zone targets.
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Tei Nacua, Tiger Bachmeier, Reggie Frischknecht, and four-star recruit Jaron Pula also can make some waves in camp and rise up the depth chart. Pula has a chance to make an impact as a true freshman, given his nature talent and recruiting pedigree.
Offensive Line
There will be big turnover along the offensive line. Isaiah Jatta is gone, leaving a gaping hole at left tackle. There’s reason to suspect that the Cougars will flip last year’s starting right tackle, Michigan transfer Andrew Gentry, to the left side. The All-Big 12 center Bruce Mitchell is back, anchoring the middle.
They need to replace Weylin Lapuaho at left guard, which many assume will be Washington transfer Paki Finau. He didn’t allow a single sack in 229 pass blocking snaps for the Huskies last year at left guard.
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On the right side, Kyle Sfarcioc remains the right guard for now, but Sonny Makasini can play either guard spot and will compete for a job.
Right tackle might be the biggest mystery if Gentry indeed moves to the left side. JR Sia looks like the best candidate at the moment to take over. He started at right tackle for Utah State in 2025, to mixed results. But an offseason with BYU’s program and with offensive line coach TJ Woods should do wonders for him.
Keep an eye on four-star recruit Bott Mulitalo. He was a top 10 offensive tackle recruit in high school and can basically play anywhere along the line. It wouldn’t be earth-shattering if he takes someone’s job before the season kicks off against Utah Tech on September 5.
