BYU football opened spring practice Friday afternoon, beginning 15 practices over five weeks that will help shape the roster ahead of summer conditioning.
Coming off coach Kalani Sitake’s first 12-win season — and only the fifth in program history — the BYU Cougars hope to build on their 2025 success. With expectations high, the team will use spring practices to build on that momentum.
“We’ve been saying ‘humble and hungry’ from the beginning,” Sitake said following practice. "Today I was really encouraged by what I saw. For practice one, I’m really happy with it and happy with the talent, the speed, the athleticism. I feel really good about where we’re headed.”
Despite returning much of its core, this year’s spring camp presents several key questions as the team prepares for the upcoming season.
Quarterback play
Quarterback Bear Bachmeier returns after a breakout 2025 freshman season in which he threw for 3,033 yards and 15 touchdowns and rushed for 11 more. His continued development as a leader and captain of the offense is central to BYU’s success going forward.
“He’s the voice of the offense,” offensive lineman Bruce Mitchell said. "He commands it. He’s definitely a captain out there for us, a leader for us. He’s so poised for a young guy.”
One of the primary questions in the quarterback room, however, is who will serve as Bachmeier’s backup. With McCae Hillstead transferring out of the program, there are only two other QBs on the roster. Redshirt senior Treyson Bourguet has two years in the offense under his belt, but freshman Enoch Watson enters the team after a decorated high school career.
The backup competition will provide an opportunity for both quarterbacks to showcase their abilities and will be an important storyline to watch throughout spring practice.
Running back depth
LJ Martin, the 2025 Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year, opted to return for his senior season rather than enter the NFL Draft. He is, however, recovering from shoulder surgery he underwent in December.
The Cougars have depth in Jovesa Damuni and Preston Rex, along with freshmen DeVaughn Eka and Micah Beckstead.
Martin spoke highly of Eka following the first practice.
“He’s really athletic, moves really well,” Martin said. "He looks really fluid, and I’m really excited for what he can do.”
Redshirt sophomore Sione Moa is also slated to return, but he is still recovering from compartment syndrome in his leg that sidelined him for most of the 2025 season.
BYU will be looking to strengthen depth and health at running back to strengthen its backfield.
Next man up at receiver and tight end
With Chase Roberts participating in the NFL Combine and Parker Kingston dismissed from BYU and the football team after being charged with felony rape, receivers coach Fesi Sitake is without the top two wide receivers from last season. Tight end Carsen Ryan also declared for the NFL Draft, creating additional vacancies in the receiver room.
BYU added USC transfer Walker Lyons and Oregon transfer Roger Saleapaga at tight end. Redshirt sophomore Noah Moeaki is expected to take on a larger role.
At wide receiver, the Cougars will likely turn to Oregon transfer Kyler Kasper, redshirt junior JoJo Phillips, junior Cody Hagen and senior Tiger Bachmeier.
Sitake said he is not concerned about the loss of BYU’s top three pass-catchers.
“We’ve got a bunch of talent and we retained some talent, so I think we’re going to be really good at that position,” Sitake said. "There’s a bunch of guys that can compete.”
Because of the number of pass catchers on the roster, spring camp will play a key role in the development of the receiver room.
Coaching culture and dynamic
BYU’s defensive success over the past two seasons drew attention to defensive coordinator Jay Hill, who departed during the offseason to Michigan.
Kelly Poppinga was promoted to defensive coordinator. Despite the coaching changes, players said defensive schemes remain similar.
“There’s a little changes here and there,” defensive lineman Keanu Tanuvasa said. "Verbiage is kind of different, but a lot of it is everyone owning their role and letting us play free, which I’m really excited about.”
Though there are new faces on the coaching staff, players emphasized that the program’s culture will remain the same.
“The culture of Kalani is what makes this team special," Tanuvasa said. “It’s not necessarily just the coaches, but it’s the culture that the players buy into. We’re here for each other…this brotherhood is what’s gonna take us all the way.”
Final note
While BYU will need to make some adjustments, the team retained several key players and added new talent through the transfer portal and recruiting process. The Cougars believe they can continue finding momentum heading into the upcoming season.
“We’ve got a good feel of things right now and got some great momentum,” Sitake said.