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Projecting the 2026 BYU Depth Chart After Spring Practice

Projecting the BYU depth chart after Spring Camp
Casey Lundquist|
BYU wide receivers Jojo Phillips and Tei Nacua at Spring Camp
BYU wide receivers Jojo Phillips and Tei Nacua at Spring Camp | BYU Photo

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BYU Cougars

Kalani Sitake and the BYU football program wrapped up 2026 Spring Camp on Thursday. While BYU could still add players that entered the transfer portal back in January, most of the roster is set. In this article, we'll project the depth chart after Spring Camp.

Quarterback

  1. Bear Bachmeier
  2. Treyson Bourguet
  3. Enoch Watson

No changes to the projected quarterback depth chart after Spring Camp. Bear Bachmeier was always going to be the starter and that has not changed.

It appeared that Treyson Bourguet had created a little bit of separation at the backup quarterback spot. We expect the backup quarterback battle to continue into Fall Camp.

Running Back

  1. LJ Martin
  2. Sione Moa
  3. DeVaughn Eka or Preston Rex

LJ Martin returns to BYU for his senior season. He is obviously the workhouse back as the returning offensive player of the year in the Big 12. Aaron Roderick said it's no secret that LJ will get 20 carries per game.

Sione Moa is the clear backup behind LJ Martin. Roderick told the media that Moa and Martin will be on the field a lot together.

After Martin and Moa, it's a tossup for the third running back spot. We expect DeVaughn Eka and Preston Rex to be used situationally.

Wide Receiver

  1. Jojo Phillips
  2. Tei Nacua
  1. Kyler Kasper
  2. Legend Glasker OR Tiger Bachmeier
  1. Cody Hagen OR Reggie Frischknecht

Coming out of Spring Camp, it appears that Jojo Phillips and Kyler Kasper are the top two wide receivers. Behind those two, the reps are up for grabs.

For now, we expect Cody Hagen and Reggie Frishknecht to battle it out for the final starting spot with Tei Nacua not far behin.

We have added true freshman Legend Glasker to the depth chart after a standout Spring Camp. Legend could continue to climb the depth chart during Fall camp.

Tight End

  1. Walker Lyons OR Roger Saleapaga
  2. Keayen Nead OR Noah Moeaki

Newcomers Walker Lyons and Roger Saleapaga will play a lot for BYU in 2026. Both Lyons and Saleapaga were standouts this spring and we expect BYU to design an offense that features the tight ends more than recent years.

If we had to predict a starting lineup today, both Lyons and Saleapaga would be on the field.

Offensive Line

Left Tackle

  1. Paki Finau
  2. Siosiua Latu-Finau

Paki Finau took the majority of the first-team reps at left tackle in camp. He looks like the odds-on favorite to start at that spot in 2026.

Behind Gentry, Siosiua Latu-Finau has taken a lot of second-team reps.

Left Guard

  1. Trevin Ostler OR Joe Brown
  2. Andrew Williams OR Zak Yamuachi

Left guard, in the opinion of this auther, is the last starting spot that is up for grabs on the offensive line. A number of players could factor in at this position. History suggests BYU could play multiple guys at guard as well. We give a slight edge to Trevin Ostler or Joe Brown to win that job.

Center

  1. Bruce Mitchell
  2. Sonny Makasini

Bruce Mitchell was an all-conference selection at center in 2025 and you can put his name in sharpie as the 2026 starter. Mitchell was great for BYU last season.

Right Guard

  1. Kyle Sfarcioc
  2. JR Sia

BYU rotated multiple players at the guard spots in 2025 and Kyle Sfarcioc was one of them. Sfarcioc became a starter at the end of the season for BYU, so we give him the edge to start at right guard as a senior. Sfarcioc took the lion's share of the first-team reps during Spring Camp.

Right Tackle

  1. Andrew Gentry
  2. Bott Mulitalo OR Ethan Thomason

Andrew Gentry stayed at right tackle and that's where we expect him to start in 2026. Behind Gentry, Bott Mulitalo could be in the two-deep right away. Mulitalo took a lot of second-team reps during Spring Camp.

Ethan Thomason was a coveted recruit coming out of high school. The Colorado native was a true freshman returned missionary last season. Now that he has had a chance to shake the mission rust, we give him a chance to crack the two-deep.

Defensive Line

Defensive Ends

  1. Bodie Schoonover
  2. Hunter Clegg
  3. Kini Fonohema
  1. Nusi Taumoepeau
  2. Tausili Akana
  3. Braxton Lindsey

We expect Bodie Schoonover to start for BYU as a senior. Schoonover will be the most proven run-stopping defensive end on the roster in 2026. Opposite of Schoonover, it will be up for grabs. We give Nusi Taumoepeau the narrow edge given the upside he displayed in 2026.

Hunter Clegg and Tausili Akana will be important players for the BYU defense in 2026. We also expect Kini Fonohema and true freshman Braxton Lindsey to round out the rotation.

Interior Defensive Line

  1. Keanu Tanuvasa
  2. Viliami Po'uha OR Anisi Purcell
  1. Justin Kirkland
  2. Ulavai Fetuli
  3. Nehemiah Kolone

Veterans Keanu Tanuvasa, Justin Kirkland, and Anisi Purcell return in 2026. We expect all three of them to play a big role in 2026. Viliami Po'uha moved inside and will play as well.

Ulavai Fetuli and Nehemiah Kolone look like future starters for the BYU defense.

Linebacker

  1. Cade Uluave
  2. Jake Clifton
  1. Isaiah Glasker
  2. Ace Kaufusi OR Ephraim Asiata
  1. Siale Esera
  2. Miles Hall

The linebacker room is probably the most talented on the entire roster. BYU's starters will be up there with the best in the Big 12.

Behind those three, there will be talented players fighting for a spot in the rotation like Ace Kaufusi, Ephraim Asiata, Jake Clifton, Miles Hall, and Pierson Watson.

Safety

  1. Raider Damuni
  2. Kennan Pula OR Jarinn Kalama
  1. Faletau Satuala
  2. Tommy Prassas

Raider Damuni and Faletau Satuala will be the duo of starting safeties for BYU in 2026. We expect Tommy Prassas to slide back to his natural position after spending time at nickle in 2025.

Jarinn Kalama and Kennan Pula were productive in Spring Camp and will see the field in 2026.

Cornerback

  1. Evan Johnson
  2. Jordyn Criss
  1. Tre Alexander
  2. Jayven Williams

Evan Johnson and Tre Alexander are two returning starters at cornerback. BYU also added Mississippi State Jayven Williams will also play - we expect him to slide into the Mory Bamba role.

True freshman Jordyn Criss was added to the depth chart at cornerback during the back half of the 2025 season. We like his chances to crack the two-deep in 2026. Criss had a productive Spring Camp.

Nickel

  1. Jonathan Kabeya
  2. Cannon DeVries

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Casey Lundquist
CASEY LUNDQUIST

Casey Lundquist is the publisher and lead editor of BYU On SI. He has covered BYU athletics since 2020. During that time, he has published over 3,500 stories that have reached millions of readers.

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