BYU football adds three-star running back for 2026 season
Aug 5, 2026, 9:13 AM | Updated: Aug 6, 2026, 9:46 am
PROVO – BYU football has added another ball carrier to the backfield.
On the first day of fall camp practice on Wednesday, a new player popped up on the roster at running back. That was Journee Tonga, out of Leuzinger High School in Lawndale, California.
Journee Tonga joins the BYU football program
Tonga was rated as a three-star prospect in the class of 2026 by 247Sports. He joins BYU’s running back unit as a true freshman in 2026.
Tonga was the 199th overall running back recruit in the 2026 cycle by the 247Sports Composite ratings.
BYU has a star leading the way at running back in preseason Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year selection LJ Martin. Following him, the Cougars have returning letterman Sione Moa and other backs such as fellow true freshman Devaughn Eka from Lehi High School.
The 5-foot-8, 198-pound Tonga rushed for 4,030 yards and 48 touchdowns during his prep career. He also had 791 yards receiving.
Tonga committed to BYU last January; however, he was not announced in BYU’s signing day class. With roster limits at 105 players and select Designated Student Athletes (DSAs), holding down a roster spot in a Power Four program is noteworthy. Tonga gets added to the mix.
He will wear jersey number 20 during fall camp practices.
BYU football kicks off the 2026 season on Saturday, September 5 against Utah Tech at 6 p.m. (MT) on ESPN+ and KSL NewsRadio.
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.
