An Early Look at BYU's Tight End Unit in 2026

The Cougars are looking to replace starter Carsen Ryan in 2026

BYU tight end Noah Moeaki scores a touchdown against Portland State | BYU Photo

For the first time since the transfer portal was started, we can start to project what BYU's roster as early as January. While BYU could still add a few players that entered the portal when it was open, most of BYU's roster is set.

In this article, we're taking a way-too-early look at the 2026 BYU tight end room.

Before we get started, there are two important notes:

1. We don't know for sure who redshirted in 2025, so we assumed everyone would be one class older than they were in 2025
2. Not all returned missionaries will be on the roster; to avoid speculating on which missionaries will be invited to be on the roster and which will be asked to grayshirt, we assumed all returned missionaries would be on the roster

Newcomers will be marked with a note on their paths to BYU.

Without further ado, here is BYU's projected tight end room for the 2026 season.

BYU's Projected Tight End Room

• Ethan Wood - Junior
• Keayen Nead - Senior
• Jacob Nye - Sophomore
• Noah Moeaki - Sophomore
• Will Zundel - Sophomore
• Anthony Olsen - Senior
• Cole Clement - Sophomore
• Roger Saleapaga - Junior (Incoming Transfer)
• Walker Lyons - Junior (Incoming Transfer)
• Matthew Frederick - Freshman (Returned Missionary)

The tight ends will be headlined by newcomers Walker Lyons and Roger Saleapaga. We expect Lyons to start and Saleapaga to be one of the top three tight ends. Historically, BYU has played at leas three tight ends in Aaron Roderick's offense.

BYU's Projected Running Back Room

• LJ Martin - Senior
• Preston Rex - Senior
• Jovesa Damuni - Sophomore
• Sione Moa - Junior
• Charlie Miska - Sophomore
• Logan Payne - Sophomore
• Lucky Finau - Junior
• DeVaughn Eka - Freshman (2026 Signee)
• Micah Beckstead - Freshman (Returned Missionary)

BYU has declined to add a transfer running back so far from the transfer portal. LJ Martin is the obvious headliner of this group. Martin will try to become BYU's all-time leading rusher in 2026. The question surrounding BYU's running back room in 2026 is who will emerge behind Martin. As long as Martin is healthy, BYU's running back position will be in a great spot.

We expect Sione Moa to be the favorite to win the backup job. Moa missed most of the 2025 season due to injury.

True freshman and 2026 signee DeVaughn Eka will join the program after a standout career at Lehi High School. Eka could really boost the room if he's ready to contribute right away. Eka ran for 3,000 yards over the last 3 years at Lehi.

Keep an eye on former Utah State signee Micah Beckstead. Beckstead was offered a PWO spot coming out of high school. He accepted a scholarship offer to Utah State instead. Beckstead returned from his mission and enrolled at BYU in January, he confirmed to BYU On SI. Beckstead has been on Harvey Unga's radar for a long term, and it made a lot of sense for the Cougars to add him.

Beckstead was a star at Timpview High School. He ran for over 3,500 yards in his career and he put up massive numbers a senior. That year, he finished with 1,957 rushing yards while averaging 9.6 yards per carry. He ran for more than 100 yards in 11 out of 13 games he played, and he averaged 151 rushing yards per game.