BYU Football 2026: A Playoff-Caliber Roster Ready to Make Noise in the Big 12
Kalani Sitake has quietly built something impressive in Provo. Over the last two seasons, BYU has gone 23-4, notched back-to-back bowl wins, and even made it to the Big 12 Championship Game last year before falling to Texas Tech. Now, with one of the most experienced and complete rosters of his tenure, Sitake has the Cougars primed for a legitimate College Football Playoff push in 2026.
Let’s break down why BYU is positioned to be a serious contender this fall - and why their October 17 home clash with Notre Dame could be one of the biggest games of the season.
A Look Back: BYU’s Recent Success
BYU has stacked two strong seasons together:
- 2025: 12-2 overall, 8-1 in the Big 12, capped with a 25-21 win over Georgia Tech in the Pop-Tarts Bowl.
- 2024: 11-2 overall, 7-2 in conference play, finished with a dominant 36-14 victory over Colorado in the Alamo Bowl.
That kind of consistency isn’t easy to come by in today’s college football landscape - especially in a conference as competitive as the Big 12. And with the core of that success returning in 2026, the Cougars are entering the season with real momentum.
Offense: Experience, Balance, and Playmakers
BYU brings back seven offensive starters from last year’s high-powered unit, and for the first time in Sitake’s recent run, he has a returning starter at quarterback - and a good one at that.
Bear Bachmeier is back under center after a strong 2025 season where he threw for over 3,000 yards and added another 527 on the ground. His dual-threat ability gives offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick plenty to work with, especially with the weapons around him.
LJ Martin returns as the lead back after rushing for 1,305 yards and 12 touchdowns last season. He’s a workhorse with a blend of power and burst, and his 5.5 yards per carry tell the story of a back who consistently moves the chains.
Out wide, Parker Kingston leads a receiving corps that will look to replace some production but still has plenty of firepower. Kingston hauled in 66 catches for 924 yards and five scores last year, and he’ll be Bachmeier’s go-to target again in 2026. JoJo Phillips adds another dynamic option on the outside.
Up front, BYU returns three key starters on the offensive line: center Bruce Mitchell, right guard Kyle Sfarcioc, and right tackle Andrew Gentry. That continuity in the trenches is huge, especially with a mobile quarterback and a run game that thrives on physicality.
The Cougars did lose a few key contributors - including standout receiver Chase Roberts, tight end Carsen Ryan, and two interior linemen - but none of those departures came via the transfer portal. That’s a testament to the culture Sitake has built. And with the additions of Finau (from Washington) expected to start on the O-line and Lyons (from USC) providing a big-bodied target at tight end, BYU should have one of the Big 12’s most balanced and explosive offenses.
Defense: Veteran Group Ready to Lead
Just like the offense, the BYU defense returns seven starters from a unit that was quietly one of the more consistent in the conference last season. And just like the offense, they didn’t lose a single starter to the portal - all departures were due to eligibility.
Safety Satuala is the heart of the defense. He led the team with 83 tackles last year and added three interceptions, showing great range on the back end. He’s the kind of player who sets the tone for a defense - smart, physical, and always around the football.
In the trenches, BYU brings back plenty of depth, and Nusi Taumoepeau is expected to step into a bigger role at defensive end. He only started one game last year but showed flashes and has the frame to be a disruptive force on the edge.
The linebacker group gets a boost with the addition of Uluave, who comes over with 97 tackles and 3 sacks from his previous stop. He’ll add depth and experience to an already solid unit. In the secondary, Williams (formerly of Mississippi State) brings versatility and ball skills, giving the Cougars more flexibility in coverage.
Transfer Portal: Targeted and Tactical
In an era where the transfer portal can reshape entire rosters, BYU took a more surgical approach - and it worked. With so much talent returning, they didn’t need to overhaul anything. Instead, they added a few key pieces to complement the core.
- Finau brings starting experience to an offensive line that already has a strong foundation.
- Lyons is a talented tight end with upside, capable of stepping right into a starting role.
- Uluave and Williams add depth and leadership on defense, helping to round out a unit that already has strong chemistry.
These aren’t splashy moves - they’re smart ones. And they reflect a program that knows exactly what it needs to take the next step.
What’s Ahead: A Schedule with Playoff Implications
Circle October 17 on your calendar. That’s when BYU hosts Notre Dame in a game that could have major playoff implications. Both teams were in the conversation last year and both return enough talent to make another run.
After that, things don’t get any easier. The Cougars face Arizona State at home, then hit the road for tough matchups against Utah and Kansas. It’s a brutal stretch - but also a golden opportunity to make a statement.
The Bottom Line
This is a playoff-caliber roster. With a veteran quarterback, a dynamic run game, a deep and experienced defense, and minimal losses to the portal, BYU enters 2026 as one of the Big 12’s most complete teams.
Kalani Sitake has built a program that doesn’t just win - it sustains success. And now, with everything aligning, the Cougars might just be ready to take that next step onto the national stage.