The Official 2026 BYU Football Thread

[Jeff Lebowski]

I agree, but I think his emphasis on culture is a primary reason why he is resistant to paying market rate for previous high performing portal players. I tend to think BYU could have landed either Leafau or Uluave out of the portal to come play LB at BYU next season but I don't think Kalani is comfortable paying more for a high performing portal transfer than his own returning loyal players are being paid. I respect that loyalty and agree with him that this is a better long run approach for BYU-but I really would have liked if those non-financial components of compensation meant something to Leafau or Uluave, but onward and upward. There is still time for it all to work out but I was hoping BYU would land a starting quality WR out of the portal, a starter quality LB and a starter quality TE. God bless Carissa for raising the TE option!

After the 3 instant helpers at LB, TE and WR I was hoping for some depth at RB and wherever else needed. It sounds like they are picking up a couple of IOL - Zak Yamuchi and RM from Stanford who has 4 years to play 3 and Paki Finau from Washington who has 3 to play 3. There is a transfer from KSU Jake Clifton who I believe is enrolled and with the program. He saw reps at all 3 LB positions before going on a mission. I was hoping he could redshirt but my guess is he will be in BYU's 2 deep somewhere next year. It was expected he was going to start at LB for KSU in '24 before he left on a mission in the winter of '24.

Yeah, both Leafau & Uluave asked for an exorbitant amount of money.

[Jeff Lebowski]

And almost all of those 10 players were likely ask to move on.

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[BigPiney]

And almost all of those 10 players were likely ask to move on.

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yeah, all the names I read, I was "Who?".

[Green Monstah]

Yeah, both Leafau & Uluave asked for an exorbitant amount of money.

Good for them for getting paid, but we can't really risk. Over-paying can also lead to culture issues.

[Jeff Lebowski]

Good for them for getting paid, but we can't really risk. Over-paying can also lead to culture issues.

Exactly.

[Goatnapper'96]

Good for them for getting paid, but we can't really risk. Over-paying can also lead to culture issues.

NIL really needs to be treated differently between football and hoops. Football is far more of a team sport-in that it really requires far more collective ability than just one individual stud. AJ Dybantsa alone would make BYU a fairly formidable team. But in football it is easier to neutralize one really good RB or WR if there are weaknesses elsewhere on offense such as QB or OL. I think Kalani's egalitarian approach is wise but in hoops I am all in on buying a couple of studs who would otherwise never even know BYU existed. Not because I like watching BYU win but for 2 other reasons: 1.) It is good for LDS Church exposure-as Reggie Jackson once said: "They don't boo nobodies and nobody cares if you donate $1 million in foodstuffs to the Cincy Student Food Bank if you are 3-8." Reason 2.) I think it makes ALAFs upset and after BYU went Indy ALAF ire about all things BYU was the last vestige of BYU's regional history in sports that populated my younger years. I like the WYO hate most-but in lieu of that ALAF hatred does just fine. We are getting more ALUF hatred but they were almost free of the rivalry so I actually feel a bit sorry for the ALUF.

[BigPiney]

Yeah, both Leafau & Uluave asked for an exorbitant amount of money.

rumor I saw was that Uluave may still be a possibility

[Jeff Lebowski]

NIL really needs to be treated differently between football and hoops. Football is far more of a team sport-in that it really requires far more collective ability than just one individual stud. AJ Dybantsa alone would make BYU a fairly formidable team. But in football it is easier to neutralize one really good RB or WR if there are weaknesses elsewhere on offense such as QB or OL. I think Kalani's egalitarian approach is wise but in hoops I am all in on buying a couple of studs who would otherwise never even know BYU existed. Not because I like watching BYU win but for 2 other reasons: 1.) It is good for LDS Church exposure-as Reggie Jackson once said: "They don't boo nobodies and nobody cares if you donate $1 million in foodstuffs to the Cincy Student Food Bank if you are 3-8." Reason 2.) I think it makes ALAFs upset and after BYU went Indy ALAF ire about all things BYU was the last vestige of BYU's regional history in sports that populated my younger years. I like the WYO hate most-but in lieu of that ALAF hatred does just fine. We are getting more ALUF hatred but they were almost free of the rivalry so I actually feel a bit sorry for the ALUF.

Zero empathy here.

[Goatnapper'96]

Zero empathy here.

Yes-your consistency is why we love you. But I still have a soft sport in my heart for Rick Majors. He will always soften me towards they.

[myboynoah]

NIL really needs to be treated differently between football and hoops. Football is far more of a team sport-in that it really requires far more collective ability than just one individual stud. AJ Dybantsa alone would make BYU a fairly formidable team. But in football it is easier to neutralize one really good RB or WR if there are weaknesses elsewhere on offense such as QB or OL. I think Kalani's egalitarian approach is wise but in hoops I am all in on buying a couple of studs who would otherwise never even know BYU existed. Not because I like watching BYU win but for 2 other reasons: 1.) It is good for LDS Church exposure-as Reggie Jackson once said: "They don't boo nobodies and nobody cares if you donate $1 million in foodstuffs to the Cincy Student Food Bank if you are 3-8." Reason 2.) I think it makes ALAFs upset and after BYU went Indy ALAF ire about all things BYU was the last vestige of BYU's regional history in sports that populated my younger years. I like the WYO hate most-but in lieu of that ALAF hatred does just fine. We are getting more ALUF hatred but they were almost free of the rivalry so I actually feel a bit sorry for the ALUF.

And lapuke is equally concerned about BYU.

I’m just wondering if the NIL era BYU will be able to continue purchasing players and still claim to be a shining example of young LDS athletes.

[Jeff Lebowski]

And lapuke is equally concerned about BYU.

Haha.

I rest my case!

[falafel]

And lapuke is equally concerned about BYU.

Here's another caring post from Lapuke. Tracking players' religious beliefs is an odd way to spend your golden years, but

With all the NIL players at BYU, does anyone know how many members of this squad are actually LDS? I’m just trying to get a read on the “saintliness” of this team.

https://forum.utefans.net/t/2025-202...tball/9759/222

[Jeff Lebowski]

And apparently LAUte is way too sophisticated and worldly for the Deseret News.

https://forum.utefans.net/t/2025-202...tball/9759/149

Yep. As a committed, active LDS guy, I get enough of that information separately. As a result, I pass over a lot of material that appears in the Deseret News, and I do the same with some material in the Trib. When the Trib is available, I will probably never go to the Deseret new sports section unless there’s something interesting someone refers me to.

[Green Monstah]

Picked up OLs from Stanford and UW today.

there seems to be some optimism that Uluave is not necessarily a Wolverine.

[Moliere]

Is it bad if I’m happy Max Alford is leaving for Michigan? I can’t remember him ever taking the right angle or being in the right place.