BYU recruiting since entering the Big 12: Putting the pieces together

BYU athletics have made numerous splashes in the recruiting realm since joining the Big 12.

Whether it’s football, basketball, or a multitude of other sports, one thing is clear: BYU is taking a step forward in putting the best players on its teams.

Whether it’s playing more quality competition, more revenue sharing, or increased team coverage, there’s no doubt joining the Big 12 conference has paid recruiting dividends for BYU.

BYU Basketball

BYU basketball has made multiple eye-catching recruiting wins in the last 10 months since Kevin Young took the helm as head coach.

Coach Young brought in Egor Demin and Kanon Katchings for the 2024-2025 season, both players who were expected to be preseason top 30 NBA draft picks.

A.J. Dybantsa, who plays high school basketball at Utah Prep, recently committed to BYU on ESPN’s First Take. The stage that Kevin Young is creating here with the Cougars is something that hasn’t been done before.

BYU women’s basketball has also brought in star freshman Delaney Gibb, showing just how much recruiting potential there is at BYU.

This second season for both men’s and women’s basketball has had its ups and downs, but the talent on each has been noticeable thus far.

BYU Football

BYU Football has done a good job in the off-season of adding a mixture of talented freshman, and experienced productive transfer players.

Most notably among those is Keanu Tanuvasa and Carsen Ryan from its in-state rival the University of Utah.

BYU football has clearly been an example of how joining a power conference can help universities in recruiting and making a bigger name for themselves.

One impressive thing about BYU athletics is that it holds its athletes to the same standards as its students on campus. Living by the honor code and focusing on football have been themes that recruits have emphasized in their decision to pick BYU over other schools.

BYU Baseball

BYU baseball was able to kick off its 2024 off-season by signing Ryder Robinson, a former Utah Gatorade Player of the Year infielder from TCU.

“Ryder’s a great player and we’re grateful to have him,” coach Trent Pratt said. “It’s helped the 2025 and 2026 class and allowed us to open up our doors to places we may not have before.”

Robinson had a solid first year at TCU and chose to take his talents back home to Utah, where his brother and uncle played infield.

BYU baseball struggled adjusting to their first season in the Big 12, and getting Robinson to buy in shows an impressive recruiting effort.

Time to Win

BYU has been able to add these talented players and there’s no denying how impactful this change has been.

In order to continue with this trend and continue to win over major recruits, BYU needs to win games and show development of these players, both on and off the field of play.