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What Stood Out Most During Week 3 of BYU Fall Camp

The Cougars wrapped up the third week of Fall Camp over the weekend
Casey Lundquist|
BYU defensive end Tausili Akana performs a drill during Spring Camp
BYU defensive end Tausili Akana performs a drill during Spring Camp | BYU Photo

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BYU Cougars

The BYU football program wrapped up the third week of Fall Camp over the weekend. The Cougars will wrap up Fall Camp this week before turning to game prep. As camp comes to a close, we looked back at week three and the things that stood out most.

1. There is another layer to Bachmeier's game that he is just starting to unveil

Coming out of high school, one of Bear Bachmeier's strengths was his ability to create chunk-yardage plays by scrambling around and buying extra time. As a freshman, Bachmeier tried to stay within the offense to avoid mistakes. It was the right thing to do for a freshman reading college defenses for the first time.

Over the last week or two of Fall Camp, Bachmeier has been creating plays while scrambling, and it has added another element to the BYU offense. On Friday during the two-minute drill, Bachmeier was forced out of the pocket on third down. Bachmeier bought just enough time for Legend Glasker to get open. Bachmeier put the ball where only Glasker could get it, and Glasker snagged it for a first down to extend the drive.

Later in the week, Bachmeier scrambled in the red zone before finding Walker Lyons with a sidearm pass for the score. Bachmeier posted the clip on "X" later.

In the scrimmage last Saturday, Bachmeier scrambled to his right and found Reggie Frischknecht down the field for a score.

Scrambling around and extending plays can increase the volatility of a quarterback. While there are more chances for big plays, there are also more chances for mistakes. If the game has slowed down for Bachmeier to where he can extend plays and still protect the football, BYU will be a better offense.

2. The pass rush has the potential to take over drives

On Friday, the starting offense faced the starting defense in the two-minute drill. The defense got the better of the offense. The thing that stood out the most? BYU's pass rush. On the first play of the two-minute drill, Tausili Akana came flying around the edge for the sack.

Later in the drive, Bachmeier couldn't go through all his progressions since he was being pressured. It was the first time in camp that we have seen the pass rush take over a drive.

It was a really good sign for the BYU defense. The difference between a good and great defense in college football is a dominant pass rush. If BYU's pass rush is better in 2026 than it was the last two years, BYU will take the next step as a defense. When the offense was in an obvious passing situation, the defensive line got after Bachmeier.

3. The wide receiver rotation

The BYU wide receiver rotation is taking shape after three weeks of camp. Throughout the week, the four wide receivers that took the large majority of first-team reps were Jojo Phillips, Kyler Kasper, Legend Glasker, and Reggie Frischknecht.

Tiger Bachmeier and Tei Nacua primarily ran with the second-team offense. However, Bachmeier got a snap or two with the first-team offense on Friday.

Still, there has been some separation in the competition for the wide receiver reps. We expect Phillips, Kasper, Glasker, and Frischknecht to be in the core rotation.

4. These true freshmen are going to play a lot

True freshman Legend Glasker will either start or play a lot for the BYU offense. Glasker isn't the only true freshman that will make an instant impact. Four-star defensive end Braxton Lindsey has been running with the first-team defense. We expect him to play right away as well.

True freshman Kennan Pula has had a really productive camp at safety. We exepct him to see the field, and if one of the veteran safeties misses time due to injury, he will play a lot.

5. Kyler Kasper looks like a difference maker in the red zone

Kyler Kasper is all of 6'6 and he is more athletic than most 6'6 wide receivers. Kasper's size opens throwing windows, especially in the redzone. Bachmeier started to look for Kasper in the end zone, and Kasper has looked like a difference maker over the last few weeks.

Kasper caught a touchdown from Bachmeier in last Saturday's scrimmage. It wasn't Bachmeier's best throw, but Kasper managed to catch it thanks to his length. That was one week after Bachmeier found Kasper in the end zone in the first scrimmage. On that play, Bachmeier put it where only Kasper could get it.

The Bachmeier-Kasper connection is one to watch. If Bachmeier and Kasper can dial in their chemistry, it will give Aaron Roderick something to call against any defense. There is no such thing as a 6'6 cornerback, so if Bachmeier can place the ball where only Kasper can catch it, it will open a lot of possibilities for Aaron Roderick.

6. Lesser-known names that are going to play a lot

Every year, there are lesser-known players that play critical roles for BYU. 2026 is no different. Cannon DeVries, for example, will play a lot for the BYU defense. He will also likely start as the punt returner. DeVries is a name you should commit to memory. As of this writing, we project him to start at nickel.

Along the defensive line, Viliami Po'uha and Anisi Purcell are flying under the radar. Po'uha and Purcell are going to play major roles for BYU. If the Cougars are going to be as disruptive as fans hope they will be, Purcell and Po'uha will need to be effective.

Then there is kicker Matthias Dunn. We project Dunn to start at kicker for the Cougars. We've only seen Dunn kick a handful of balls in practice, but he has drilled every kick, including a few from 50 yards or more.

Preston Rex looks much more comfortable at running back than he did in last year's Fall Camp. Rex has developed as a runner between the tackles, and among the running backs, he is the best receiver out of the backfield. Fans probably forget that Rex played wide receiver in high school, and it showed on Friday when he made a string of difficult catches. We expect Rex to carve out a role for himself in 2026.

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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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