BYU is about to put its first 2026 depth chart on the board, and there’s plenty worth watching when it drops Monday during Utah Tech game week.
The biggest thing to watch is how the Cougars choose to label their defense. BYU coaches have made it clear the front seven will be multiple, which means the look can change from situation to situation.
Sometimes that could mean three down linemen. Other times, it might be four.
The depth chart should offer the first real clue about what BYU considers its base setup.
That matters because last season, under Jay Hill, BYU listed four defensive line spots and three linebacker spots. Whether Kelly Poppinga keeps that same format is still an open question.
During Fall Camp, some of the edge players - Tausili Akana, Braxton Lindsey and Hunter Clegg - worked more like outside linebackers even though they’re listed as defensive ends on the roster. At the same time, linebackers Cade Uluave, Isaiah Glasker, Siale Esera and Jake Clifton lined up in a more traditional inside linebacker role in a 3-4 look.
That makes a 3-4 default on the depth chart very possible.
There’s also the freshman factor. BYU signed an historic recruiting class in December, and several of those newcomers have already arrived and started making noise. A true freshman landing on the first depth chart is always worth a closer look, because it usually says something about what the staff thinks that player can become.
Some of those young names are already expected to show up. Legend Glasker and Braxton Lindsey should both be there, and former coveted recruits Bott Mulitalo and Kennan Pula are expected to land in the two-deep as well. If a true freshman cracks that group right away, it’s a strong signal.
A few freshmen may be asked to contribute immediately. Legend Glasker is set to be part of the core wide receiver rotation.
Braxton Lindsey is expected to help chase the quarterback. Kennan Pula could even be pushed into a starting role if one of the veterans in front of him gets hurt.
That kind of opportunity is one reason opening against an FCS opponent matters. It gives the freshmen a chance to get real game reps early instead of waiting around for a bigger stage.
The depth chart will also settle a handful of position battles that were up for grabs in camp. Wide receiver, defensive end/outside linebacker and left guard are the spots to watch most closely. BYU has a lot of established production back, so there weren’t many starting jobs available - but the few that were open should be revealed here.
Special teams is another area that could produce some surprises. BYU has to replace its starting kicker, starting punter and both kick returners, and those jobs were not exactly easy to monitor during Fall Camp. That makes the first depth chart especially important for that unit.
In the secondary, the top three cornerbacks are already known: Evan Johnson, Therrian Alexander III and Jayven Williams. The question is who shows up next.
Kevin Doe and Jordyn Criss were battling for that spot behind the veterans, and the winner should be listed as the next corner in line. That’s a job that may not grab headlines, but it will matter when rotation time comes.
Cannon DeVries is another name to watch. He got plenty of first-team work at nickel and safety, and he should have a role for Kelly Poppinga in 2026. If BYU separates out “Nickel” as its own position, DeVries would be the likely starter there.
Running back could be interesting too. Behind LJ Martin and Sione Moa, true freshmen Devaughn Eka and Preston Rex handled most of the snaps in camp, with Journee Tonga also turning heads. If the Cougars list a clear No. 3 there, that would give a better picture of what happens if Martin or Moa has to miss time.
In Other News...
Whittingham Finally Addressed The Utah Accusations Fans Cant Ignore
Kyle Whittinghams name still carries plenty of weight around Utah, even now that hes at Michigan and preparing for a season opener against Western Michigan. Before the focus shifts fully to the new job, though, Whittingham took the opportunity to address long-running accusations from former Utah players that he put pressure on them to play through injuries, pushing back on the idea that he ever tried to influence medical staff decisions.
Whittingham also revisited how his time at Utah came to an end, framing his departure as a mutual decision and saying he did not want to overstay his welcome. For Utah fans, it adds another layer to a separation that has lingered in conversation, especially with the program still tied closely to his legacy and with questions about how those final years were remembered by the players who lived them. [Read more 🡒]
Noah Bennees Utah Return Means More Than A Familiar Reunion
Noah Bennees path back to Salt Lake City gives Utah a little more than a depth piece. After leaving for Weber State and taking a noticeable step forward there, the tight end returns to a program that already knows him well, only now with a different rsum and a better sense of what he can bring on the field. For the Utes, it is the kind of move that mixes familiarity with upside, especially at a position where development can take time.
Jackson Bennee makes the homecoming even more meaningful, with the brothers now getting the chance to line up together after Noahs years away. Noah has spoken about how excited he is to be back at Utah and about how much he believes he has grown as a tight end, which is the part the Utes care about most. The sibling storyline is the easy hook, but the real interest is whether that growth translates into a bigger role in a room that could use it. [Read more 🡒]
Utah Football Just Crossed A Branding Line Fans Will Notice
Utah football is adding another visible corporate partner as Utah Athletics and ALKEME Insurance announced a multi-year sponsorship that reaches all the way onto the equipment the team wears. Along with the branding on the bumper of the helmets, the deal also brings an internship program tied to the University of Utahs David Eccles School of Business, giving the arrangement a footprint beyond game day.
ALKEME and Utah officials framed the partnership as more than a logo placement, pointing to shared values and the chance to create benefits for student-athletes and the local community. For a program that has long balanced tradition with the realities of modern college sports, the move is another reminder of how deeply outside partnerships are now woven into the Utes day-to-day identity. [Read more 🡒]