BYU adds another top-25 Directors’ Cup finish, tops among Big 12

PROVO — BYU wrapped up the 2025-26 calendar with another win.

The Cougars finished ranked No. 25 in the final Learfield Directors’ Cup standings for Division I schools, the third top-25 finish in the past six seasons and the first time BYU has finished in the top 25 in back-to-back seasons since 2001 and 2002.

Since the inaugural all-sports rankings of Division I programs were released in 1994, the Cougars have been rated in the top 25 10 times.

BYU’s 730 points ranked first among Big 12 teams, followed by No. 28 Oklahoma State, No. 33 TCU, No. 35 Texas Tech and No. 36 Arizona.

Utah ranked 63rd among all sports, with 226.25 of the Utes’ 435.25 points coming during the winter season.

Texas won the all-sports title for the fifth time with help from three national titles in men’s swimming and diving, women’s rowing and softball, as well as a runner-up finish in men’s tennis. Stanford was second with 1,263.50 points, followed by UCLA (1,1199.25), North Carolina (1,166.75) and Virginia (1,148.75).

“Finishing in the Top 25 of the Directors’ Cup standings two years in a row is a testament to our incredible student-athletes and coaches,” said BYU athletic director Brian Santiago in a statement. “Together we have built positive momentum that will carry us forward towards our goal of national relevance in every sport. The future is bright.”

No. 25 nationally.
No. 1 in the Big 12.
Two years running.

A standard of excellence. pic.twitter.com/lJV2aea7IK

— BYU Cougars (@BYUCougars) June 25, 2026

BYU’s top earners included traditional power women’s cross country after a runner-up finish at the NCAA national championships and an 11th-place run from men’s cross country. The Cougars also earned points for postseason appearances in football, men’s basketball, women’s volleyball, women’s soccer, gymnastics, men’s and women’s swimming and diving, men’s golf, women’s tennis and men’s and women’s track and field.

Utah State records second-best Directors’ Cup all-time

The Aggies piled up 262.50 points for 85th place nationally, the second-best finish in program history in Utah State’s final season as members of the Mountain West.

That finish was ahead of four power-conference programs, six schools from the Big East, and every school in the American Athletic Conference. Utah State will join Oregon State and Washington State in the reformed Pac-12 alongside Boise State, San Diego State, Fresno State, Colorado State, Texas State and Gonzaga beginning July 1.

“This achievement reflects their dedication, hard work and commitment to excellence, which continue to drive our athletics department forward,” Utah State athletic director Cameron Walker said in a statement.

The Aggies earned 50 points each from a pair of postseason victories in women’s volleyball and men’s basketball, and gymnastics added 45.5 points after winning the Mountain West regular-season and postseason title and a berth to the NCAA regionals.

Utah State Athletics Records Second-Best Finish in Learfield Directors’ Cup in 2025-26!

"This achievement reflects their dedication, hard work and commitment to excellence, which continue to drive our athletics department forward." @CamWalker_USU #ShowMe pic.twitter.com/nxgW6HCnIh

— Utah State Athletics 🏆x9 (@USUAthletics) June 25, 2026

What is the Learfield Directors’ Cup?

Founded in 1994, the Learfield Directors’ Cup measures all-sports achievement in 19 total sports among Division I programs, including five countable sports of men’s and women’s basketball, baseball, women’s soccer and women’s volleyball, as well as the next highest 14 sports for each institution, regardless of gender.

The SEC led all conferences with nine schools ranked in the top 25.

Complete standings are available at nacda.com and directorscup.org here.