BYU’s fall camp is in the books, and with the Cougars turning their attention to Utah Tech on September 5, the first-game depth chart is coming into view.
Some battles never really stayed battles. At quarterback, the backup job behind starter Bear Bachmeier has long looked like senior Treyson Bourguet’s to lose, and it now appears to be his.
Bourguet, listed at 6-2 and 210 pounds, entered camp in a real competition with freshman Enoch Watson, but his experience in the system and his steady work in open practices made the outcome feel pretty clear. Watson, at 6-3 and 215, remains the other name in the mix, but Bourguet has separated himself.
Running back is shaping up to be one of the more interesting and deeper spots on the roster. Sione Moa looks healthy again, and the sophomore from Timpview should be a major part of the offense after seeing his season shortened by medical issues a year ago.
Listed at 5-10 and 220 pounds, Moa is expected to handle plenty of reps behind LJ Martin and could even line up alongside him at times. Behind that duo, Preston Rex has been busy in scrimmages and open sessions, while true freshman DeVaughn Eka also made an impression during scrimmages.
Compared with last season, BYU looks a lot better stocked here.
At receiver, the top pairing seems set. Senior Jojo Phillips and Oregon transfer Kyler Kasper are the likely starters, with Phillips, at 6-5 and 205, providing the steady presence he’s carried through camp and Kasper, at 6-6 and 212, coming on strongly over the last two weeks.
The next wave includes true freshman Legend Glasker and SUU transfer Reggie Frischknecht. Glasker worked his way into the rotation early, while Frischknecht turned heads in the inter-team scrimmage by catching two touchdown passes.
Tight end has been one of the quieter position groups in camp, mostly because the top of the chart hasn’t moved much. USC transfer Walker Lyons and Oregon transfer Roger Saleapaga have settled into the top two spots, and both should play plenty this season. Senior Keayen Nead, at 6-5 and 265, looks like the third option and could see heavy use in short-yardage packages.
Up front, Washington transfer Paki Finau seems ready to open as the left tackle. Coaches tested a few different looks, but Finau now appears locked in there to start, at least for now.
The bigger question is what the depth behind him will look like. Freshmen Bott Mulitalo and Siosiua Latu-Finau have both made progress, and they’re part of what looks like a young and intriguing backup group.
On the defensive front, there hasn’t been much shuffling, but Texas transfer Tausili Akana has made a late push as he tries to become more than just a third-down pass rush specialist. Utah transfer Hunter Clegg has also drawn consistent praise from coaches, and he should get a lot of reps this season.
Linebacker may be the deepest room on the team, which makes it even more notable that Kansas State transfer Jake Clifton has played his way into the picture. Getting onto the field there is no small feat, but Clifton has forced the issue with strong practices and earned a spot in the rotation.
At cornerback, Jayven Williams looks settled in as the No. 3 option behind senior Evan Johnson and junior Tre Alexander. Williams, listed at 6-2 and 175 pounds, should work in nickel looks on the outside, while Johnson slides inside as the slot corner.
In Other News...
BYU's Sione Moa Is Back After Nearly Losing Football Forever
Sione Moas path back to the field has already gone well beyond the usual bumps and bruises that come with college football. The BYU running back went through a frightening medical emergency after developing compartment syndrome in his thigh during a game, a condition that required immediate attention and emergency surgery to relieve the pressure and protect his leg. Dr. Dain Allred diagnosed the problem and performed the fasciotomy, a procedure that stopped the damage from getting worse.
Now, after months of recovery, Moa is back at practice and back in the mix for BYU. The return carries a different weight for him than it does for most players, because football was never guaranteed to be part of the story again. He has spoken with clear gratitude about being able to play, and for the Cougars, his presence alone is a reminder of how much can change in an instant. [Read more 🡒]
BYUs Frontcourt Just Got More Serious For The Big 12 Race
BYUs frontcourt picture took another step forward with the addition of Jaxon Kohler, a transfer center from Michigan State who arrives with a reputation for doing the dirty work that travels well in conference play. He has been described by his former coaches and recruiting analysts as a rebounder, a capable shooter and a relentless worker, and he brings the kind of experience and leadership that can matter in a Big 12 season where every possession gets magnified.
Kohlers path also suggests a player still on the rise. After going undrafted, he spent summer league with the Utah Jazz, a sign that his game has started to draw notice beyond college circles. For BYU, the move adds another layer of seriousness to a frontcourt that will need size, toughness and reliability if the Cougars are going to stay in the race once league play tightens up. [Read more 🡒]
BYUs New Look Could Make Kevin Youngs Vision Dangerous
After BYUs NCAA Tournament exit, Kevin Young made it clear that the next roster build would be shaped by one thing above all else: shooting. The Cougars responded by filling out the 2026-27 group with players who fit that vision, from Kentucky transfer Collin Chandler and Syracuse transfer Tyler Betsey to point guard Robert Wright III, giving the offense more perimeter threats around the core.
Jaxon Kohlers arrival from Michigan State adds another layer to the plan. The center can step out and hit threes, which should help the Cougars spread the floor and make the offense harder to load up against. The roster now looks like one built to give Youngs ideas room to breathe, and the real question is how dangerous that spacing can become once it is put into action. [Read more 🡒]