BYU put two of its interior linemen on the national radar Tuesday, with the Football Writers Association of America naming center Bruce Mitchell and defensive tackle Keanu Tanuvasa to the preseason watch list for the 2026 Outland Trophy.
The award has been handed out every year since 1946 to the nation’s top college football interior lineman, and it carries the name of John H. Outland, one of the few players ever selected as an All-American at two positions.
Mitchell, a 6-foot-4, 305-pound senior from Kamas, Utah, is already stacking up preseason honors. He was picked to the Phil Steele Preseason All-America Second Team and the Athlon Sports Preseason All-America Third Team. He also landed on the All-Big 12 Preseason Team and earned Preseason All-Big 12 First Team recognition from both Phil Steele and Athlon Sports.
A co-captain, Mitchell started all 14 games for BYU in 2025 as a junior and held down the middle of an offense line that helped the Cougars average 31.4 points per game. BYU finished in the top 25 nationally in 10 offensive categories, including time of possession at No. 9, rushing first downs at No. 12, fewest sacks allowed at No. 12, rushing touchdowns at No. 13, rushing plays of 10+ yards at No. 18, total plays of 10+ yards at No. 19, first downs at No. 19, total offensive plays at No. 22, points scored at No. 23 and fewest interceptions at No. 23.
Tanuvasa, a 6-foot-4, 300-pound senior from Mission Viejo, California, also started all 14 games for BYU as a junior in 2025. A team captain, he was named All-Big 12 Honorable Mention.
He finished the season with 25 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, three pass breakups and a blocked kick. His best statistical outings included four tackles against Stanford and Cincinnati, sacks against Stanford and TCU, pass breakups against Utah, Iowa State and Texas Tech in the Big 12 Championship, and a blocked kick against Georgia Tech in the Pop-Tarts Bowl. His work in the middle of the defensive line was a major part of BYU’s overall defensive success.
In Other News...
BYU Fall Camp Opens With Key Starting Jobs Still Up For Grabs
BYUs fall camp opens with more certainty at quarterback than at several other spots, with Bear Bachmeier projected to take the first snap if the Cougars were lining up for a game today. Beyond that, plenty of the depth chart still feels unsettled, and the early days of camp will be about sorting through a few of the rosters most important competitions. Wide receiver, left guard, defensive end and special teams roles are among the jobs still waiting to be claimed, which gives the first weeks of practice real weight.
The interesting part for BYU is that the projected lineup is built largely on experience and what players showed most recently, but it is still only a projection. Camp has a way of changing those assumptions quickly, especially when a veteran holds off a younger challenger or a new name pushes into the conversation. For now, the Cougars enter August with a clear sense of where the core starts, and just as clear a list of spots where the race is still wide open. [Read more 🡒]
BYU Is Battling Bluebloods For A Recruit Fans Will Want Up Front
Samiu Taukiuvea has become one of the more closely watched recruiting battles on BYUs board, with the West High School standout drawing attention from a long list of major programs while staying firmly in play for the Cougars. The high-profile recruit already holds scholarship offers from schools such as Ohio State, Oregon and Penn State, a sign that BYU is chasing a player plenty of bluebloods also believe can fit at the next level.
For BYU, the appeal is obvious: Taukiuvea has built a strong relationship with the staff, giving the Cougars a legitimate chance to stay in the mix as he weighs his future. He has not committed anywhere yet and is planning to take visits before making a decision, which means this recruitment should remain one to watch for a while as schools keep making their case. [Read more 🡒]
BYU Freshmen Are Already Pushing For Roles That Could Matter Fast
BYUs fall camp opened with a familiar August theme for a program trying to build depth fast: freshmen who are not waiting around for a future window. Several newcomers are already in the mix for immediate roles or at least meaningful competition, with the staff taking a close look at who can help early and who can simply make the two-deep sturdier before the season gets rolling.
Among the names worth watching are safety Kennan Pula, who is starting his college career in the secondary, along with cornerback Jordyn Criss, offensive tackle Bott Mulitalo and defensive tackle Ulavai Fetuli, all of whom could become useful pieces if the need arises. The kicking situation also adds an extra layer to the camp intrigue, while the running back room has enough interest that a freshman could force his way into the conversation behind the established options. [Read more 🡒]