BYUs 2026 Roster Looks Different Than Many Fans Might Expect

Explore the fascinating statistics and behind-the-scenes action from BYU Football's 2026 Photo Day, revealing intriguing facts about the team's composition and diversity.

BYU Football stepped away from the practice field on Wednesday afternoon and turned the Indoor Practice Facility into photo day central.

Players and coaches first lined up for the team picture, shot outside on the practice field by BYU’s University Photo team, before heading inside for a full slate of shoots and media work. The day included headshots and action photos for ESPN, FOX and other broadcast partners, along with a digital signature capture, specialty TV photo and video sessions, bio updates, name pronunciation recordings, BYUtv interviews and media interviews.

Then came the numbers, and they tell a pretty clear story about the 2026 squad.

The average BYU player checks in at about 6-foot-2.6 and 234.1 pounds. Put the whole roster together and the combined weight tops 27,000 pounds, or 13.5 tons - roughly the same as two full grown African elephants.

Stack up every player’s height, and the tower would stretch more than 733 feet, which the school notes is about 4.5 times taller than the Spencer W. Kimball Tower, the tallest building on BYU’s campus.

By position, the roster breaks down like this: quarterbacks average 6-2.25 and 213 pounds; running backs 5-11 and 212; wide receivers 6-2.5 and 195.5; tight ends 6-4.5 and 245; offensive linemen 6-5 and 305; defensive ends 6-4 and 248; defensive tackles 6-4 and 288; linebackers 6-2.5 and 232; cornerbacks 6-1 and 182; safeties 6-2 and 200; long snappers 6-0 and 214; punters 5-10 and 180; and kickers 5-11.5 and 187.5.

A few individual numbers stand out, too. Ethan Thomason and Andrew Gentry are the tallest players on the team at 6-8, both offensive linemen.

Journee Tonga is the shortest at 5-9 and plays running back. Jr Sia is the heaviest at 330 pounds, followed by Trevin Ostler at 320.

Terrance Saryon is the lightest player at 170 pounds.

The team’s average age is 21.3. There are 22 married players and 64 returned missionaries on the roster.

Geographically, Utah leads the way with 61 players. California is next with 17, followed by Arizona with 10 and Texas with 7. Hawaii has 5 players, Idaho has 4, Colorado has 3, Nevada and Oklahoma have 2 each, and Arkansas, Georgia, Oregon, Tennessee, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin each have 1.

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