Will the off-the-field noise distract BYU football in 2026? | Depth chart analysis
Game week is here for No. 14 BYU, and KSL Sports BYU Insider Mitch Harper delivers a jam-packed episode to get Cougar Nation fully locked in ahead of Saturday's season opener against Utah Tech at LaVell Edwards Stadium (6 p.m. MT, ESPN+ and KSL NewsRadio).
Mitch opens the show with the biggest off-the-field headline of the week: the BYU athletic department has been restructured, with AD Brian Santiago no longer overseeing football operations directly. The move comes after weeks of public tension between Santiago and head coach Kalani Sitake, who turned down Penn State last winter and has been vocal about BYU needing to invest more resources into the football program.
Sitake addressed the restructuring during his Monday press conference, sharing his thoughts on the changes and what they mean for the program moving forward. Mitch breaks down Sitake's comments and wonders: Will this be a distraction for BYU football in 2026? As it was last year leading up to the Big 12 Championship Game?
Breaking down the Utah Tech Trailblazers, who come into the matchup against BYU with a 0-1 record after falling to FCS No. 1 Montana State, 54-0.
To close out the show, Mitch dives deep into BYU's first official depth chart of the 2026 season. Among the notable takeaways: true freshman wide receiver Legend Glasker is listed as a starter — the first true freshman to open as a starting wideout under Sitake. Cal transfer linebacker Cade Uluave has earned a starting nod at linebacker despite not yet playing a snap in a BYU uniform, and Oregon transfer Kyler Kasper slots in at another receiving spot. Bear Bachmeier returns as the unquestioned QB1 with Treyson Bourguet behind him. On defense, Kelly Poppinga's first depth chart as defensive coordinator features Faletau Satuala back at safety after recovering from his fractured foot, alongside Evan Johnson at corner and Keanu Tanuvasa anchoring the defensive line. Mitch goes position by position, highlighting the starters, the competition, and the names to watch Saturday night.
