BYU football names 8 captains, 12 co-captains for 2026 season

PROVO — After a week-zero appetizer that included North Carolina’s 15-10 win over Big 12 foe TCU on a rain-soaked rugby pitch in Ireland, college football is officially back for Week 1 of the 2026 season.

That includes the season opener of one of the more anticipated season’s in BYU’s modern era Saturday against FCS Utah Tech (6 p.m MT, ESPN+) — and with it a new leadership council for BYU football.

BYU head coach Kalani Sitake revealed a 20-member team leadership council Monday morning with eight captains — four on offense and four on defense — as well as 12 vice-captains representing all three phases of the game.

The leadership council was selected in a team-wide vote, led by senior running back LJ Martin and defensive tackle Keanu Tanuvasa for the second straight year.

Who are BYU football’s captains for 2026?

Martin, the returning Big 12 offensive player of the year, leads the way on offense, and he’s joined by starting quarterback Bear Bachmeier, center Bruce Mitchell and tight end Roger Saleapaga in leading the offense.

Of the group, Saleapaga is the newcomer to the bunch. the 6-foot-4, 235-pound junior tight end who prepped at Orem High transferred to BYU after playign in 26 games over two seasons at Oregon, where he made three catches for 26 yards a year ago including a touchdown in the College Football Playoff against Indiana.

A former four-star recruit by Rivals and the consensus top tight end in Utah from the Class of 2023, Saleapaga is the younger brother of former BYU offensive lineman Keanu Saleapaga and returns to the Beehive State after also being recruited by Alabama, Miami, Tennessee, UCLA and Washington, among others.

On defense, Tanuvasa is joined by senior linebacker Isaiah Glasker and cornerback Evan Johnson as well as Cal transfer Cade Uluave.

The 6-foot-1, 230-pound former All-ACC first-team selection returns to his home state after playing in 34 games in three seasons for the Golden Bears, including 26 starts. The former two-way Mountain Ridge High standout made 237 tackles, 21.5 tackles for loss, six sacks, three interceptions and two forced fumbles in three seasons at Cal.

Your Captains 🤙 pic.twitter.com/RdoBmc5BDi

— BYU FOOTBALL (@BYUfootball) August 31, 2026

Who are BYU football’s co-captains for 2026?

Joining the Cougars’ leadership council are four players from the offense, four from the defensive and kicker Matthias Dunn representing the specialists.

The group, which consists of 13 seniors, five juniors and two sophomores, meets regularly during the season to plan and fulfill leadership responsibilities that arise during the regular season and beyond. Four members of the group will represent the team during the pregame coin toss before every game.

Here’s the full leadership council:

• Offense: Bear Bachmeier, LLJ Martin, Bruce Mitchell, Roger Saleapaga II, Treyson Bourguet, Andrew Gentry, Walker Lyons, Jojo Phillips, Kyle Sfarcioc
• Defense: Isaiah Glasker, Evan Johnson, Keanu Tanuvasa, Cade Uluave, Therrian Alexander III, Hunter Clegg, Raider Damuni, Justin Kirkland, Faletau Satuala, Bodie Schoonover
• Specialists: Matthias Dunn