BYU football post-spring depth chart projection for 2026 season
Apr 30, 2026, 5:07 PM
PROVO – Coming out of spring practices, the BYU football depth chart is taking shape for the 2026 season.
There will be high expectations this fall for a BYU program that has won 23 games the past two years.
When piecing together a projected depth chart for the upcoming season, it’s clear that the second and third-string in some spots have improved significantly since BYU joined the Big 12 in 2023.
There are other areas where depth is thinner than a potential top-15 team would like, particularly at running back, wide receiver, and cornerback.
Still, there’s quality personnel across the board for BYU that should give them a chance to be squarely in the race for the Big 12 Championship Game in Arlington this December.
All eyes will be on quarterback Bear Bachmeier. The sophomore signal-caller was excellent last year after arriving on campus last June. He had an entire winter of conditioning and a spring to prepare for the upcoming season, and looks to be on track towards taking a jump in his development this fall.
Behind him for the backup quarterback spot, the nod was given to Treyson Bourguet over true freshman Enoch Watson because he’s a veteran and is in his third year in the offense. But as we learned last year with the backup quarterback spot between Bourguet and Utah State signal-caller McCae Hillstead, the staff will likely keep the competition going well into the fall.
“Multiple” forecast on the depth chart
Keep in mind that with the rest of the depth chart projection, the element of being “multiple” was factored into this depth chart.
On the offensive side of the ball, the usual three wide receivers are there. But two spots for tight end were also applied. BYU’s transfer tight ends, Walker Lyons from USC and Roger Saleapaga from Oregon, will be important players in the 2026 offense.
BYU tight ends Walker Lyons and Roger Saleapaga are "two of the best players" on the team, according to OC Aaron Roderick. pic.twitter.com/KinbOi5XVE
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) April 3, 2026
So it wouldn’t be a surprise if there were many sets in BYU’s offense this year that have two tight ends, maybe even three.
The defensive side has more “multiple” elements. Kelly Poppinga steps in as the defensive coordinator, replacing Jay Hill. Poppinga has been candid about a foundation being established in the past three years. But there will be new wrinkles that Poppinga and his re-tooled staff likely throw in.
Whether it’s an odd or even front, or a five-defensive-back look, BYU’s defensive personnel could be versatile this fall. In this exercise, we keep it simple with basic position listings.
For more analysis and an in-depth breakdown of this projected BYU football depth chart for the 2026 season, watch or listen to the Cougar Tracks Podcast episode above.
BYU football depth chart projection: Offense
- QB: Bear Bachmeier / Treyson Bourguet
- RB: LJ Martin / Sione Moa
- WR: Jojo Phillips / Tei Nacua
- WR: Cody Hagen / Legend Glasker
- WR: Kyler Kasper / Reggie Frischknecht
- TE: Walker Lyons / Keayen Nead
- TE: Roger Saleapaga / Noah Moeaki
- LT: Paki Finau / Kaden Chidester
- LG: Sonny Makasini -OR- Trevin Ostler / Zak Yamauchi
- C: Bruce Mitchell / Trevor Pay
- RG: Kyle Sfarcioc / Jr. Sia
- RT: Andrew Gentry / Bott Mulitalo
BYU football depth chart projection: Defense
- DE: Bodie Schoonover / Hunter Clegg
- DT: Keanu Tanuvasa / Anisi Purcell -OR- Viliami Po’uha
- NT: Justin Kirkland / Ulavai Fetuli -OR- Kelepi Latu-Finau
- DE: Tausili Akana -OR- Nusi Taumoepeau
- LB: Isaiah Glasker / Ace Kaufusi
- LB: Cade Uluave / Jake Clifton
- LB: Siale Esera / Miles Hall
- CB: Evan Johnson / Jayven Williams
- CB: Therrian Alexander III / Jordyn Criss
- SAF: Faletau Satuala / Tommy Prassas
- SAF: Raider Damuni / Jarinn Kalama
- NICKEL: Jonathan Kabeya / Cannon DeVries -OR- Tommy Prassas
Projecting the special teams depth chart
- Kicker: Matthias Dunn / Ian Sanches
- Punter: Fuller Shurtz / Braden Gilbert
- Long snapper: Ty Smith
- Holder: Fuller Shurtz
Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for KSL and hosts the Cougar Tracks Podcast daily on KSL Sports YouTube and KSL NewsRadio (SUBSCRIBE). Harper also co-hosts Cougar Sports Saturday (12–3 p.m.) on KSL NewsRadio.
Follow Mitch’s coverage of BYU athletics in the Big 12 Conference on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram: @Mitch_Harper.
