All-time greats like Steve Young sit atop the fantasy charts, while a new generation led by Puka Nacua and Taysom Hill carries the Cougar legacy forward.
For decades, BYU has been known as a quarterback factory and a steady pipeline to the NFL. But beyond the highlight reels and Super Bowl rings, Cougar fans might be surprised to learn just how influential BYU alumni have been in the world of fantasy football. From Hall of Famers in the 1980s and ’90s to today’s breakout stars, BYU players have shaped fantasy leagues across generations.
Using standard fantasy scoring (passing, rushing, and receiving yards all translate directly to points) and stats from pro-football-reference.com, several Cougars have left a lasting mark.
At the top unsurprisingly is Steve Young, whose blend of passing precision and rushing ability made him one of the most valuable fantasy quarterbacks of the 1990s. With over 33,000 passing yards, 232 touchdown passes, and 43 rushing scores, Young’s career translates to nearly 3,000 fantasy points — far and away the most ever by a Cougar.
Just behind him is Jim McMahon, of the legendary 1985 Chicago Bears. McMahon compiled more than 18,000 passing yards and 116 total touchdowns, good for roughly 1,385 career fantasy points. Marc Wilson follows with over 1,000 points, while Todd Christensen, a two-time All-Pro tight end, leads all BYU pass-catchers with more than 800 career fantasy points.
Here’s how the Top 10 all-time BYU fantasy football players stack up (standard scoring, through 2024):
While legends like Young and Christensen built the foundation, the past few years have seen a new wave of Cougars climbing the fantasy charts.
Jamaal Williams, was a touchdown machine just three years ago. His 17 rushing scores in 2022 made him a fantasy hero and vaulted him into BYU’s all-time top five. Taysom Hill follows close behind — a do-it-all player whose unique blend of quarterback, running back, and tight end duties has made him one of the most unpredictable fantasy weapons in the league.
Puka Nacua, Tyler Allgeier, and Zach Wilson round out the modern group of fantasy contributors. Nacua’s record-breaking rookie season with the Rams in 2023 put him firmly on the fantasy-draft radar, while Allgeier’s 1,000-yard rookie campaign and Wilson’s early flashes as a starting quarterback have kept Cougar names relevant in fantasy circles.
Here’s how the modern era BYU fantasy producers (2018–2024) compare with a few more names:
From Steve Young’s dominance in the 1990s to Puka Nacua’s explosive rise in Los Angeles, BYU’s influence on fantasy football is unmistakable. The program’s legacy has evolved from a quarterback pipeline into a well-rounded source of fantasy value at nearly every offensive position.
Young and Ty Detmer gave Cougar fans a reason to root for their NFL quarterbacks long before fantasy apps existed. Now, players like Taysom Hill and Jamaal Williams have brought that excitement into the modern fantasy era — often in unpredictable ways. Hill’s ability to play multiple positions makes him a weekly wildcard, while Williams’ nose for the end zone has turned him into a reliable touchdown scorer and fan favorite.
And then there is the now-inevitable Puka Nacua, whose record-setting rookie season reintroduced BYU to the fantasy spotlight in 2023. His fast start and consistency as a receiver for the Rams have made him one of the most popular waiver pickups and keeper options in recent memory. Combined with the emerging potential of Tyler Allgeier in Atlanta and Zach Wilson’s continuing development, the next generation of Cougars appears ready to carry the torch.
As BYU continues to grow its national profile in the Big 12, fans may see even more players transition from LaVell Edwards Stadium to NFL stadiums — and to fantasy rosters — in the years ahead. Whether you’re chasing championships in your fantasy league or just following former Cougars week by week, BYU’s tradition of producing game-changers is alive and well.