Starter: Bear Bachmeier, 6-2, 220, Fr.

Primary backup: McCae Hillstead, 5-10, 195, So.

In a somewhat surprising development, Bachmeier beat out both Hillstead and Treyson Bourguet to be named BYU’s starting quarterback to open the season. After competing for the starting job at Stanford in the spring, Bachmeier proved ahead of the curve throughout BYU’s fall practice session, eventually overtaking both of his more experienced teammates to receive the nod.

Running Back

Starter: LJ Martin, 6-2, 220, Jr.

Primary backup: Sione Moa, 5-10, 215, So.

Martin and Moa are both proven performers with Martin thought by many to be on the cusp of the breakout season. The problem is the relative inexperience behind both player, with BYU looked particularly thin in the offensive backfield. Should both Martin and Moa prove healthy throughout the season, then no problem. If either incur some sort of injury limiting playing time then the Cougars could be in trouble.

Wide Receiver

Starters: Chase Roberts, 6-4, 210, Sr.; JoJo Phillips, 6-5, 205, Jr.; Parker Kingston, 5-11, 185, Sr.

Primary backups: Cody Hagen, 6-0, 185, So.; Tiger Bachmeier, 6-1, 190 Jr.; Tei Nacua, 6-2, 185, Fr.

Receiver looks to be a strong position with Roberts leading the way, flanked by proven performers like Phillips and Kingston, both of whom are excited about the prospect of expanding their relative roles. Both Hagen and Tiger Bachmeier contributed strong fall practice sessions with Nacua looking to pick up where his famous older brother, Puka Nacua, left off.

Tight End

Starter: Carsen Ryan, 6-4, 250, Sr.

Primary Backups: Keayen Nead, 6-5, 265, Jr.; Anthony Olsen, 6-4, 250, Jr.; Wil Zundel, 6-5, 240, Fr.

Ryan has been a standout throughout practice sessions since transferring from Utah and should be afforded plenty of targets this coming season. Nead has impressed after transferring from New Mexico with others, such as Zundel and Olsen hoping to add valuable depth.

Offensive Line

Starters: Left tackle-Isaiah Jatta, 6-6, 315 Sr; Left Guard-Weylin Lapuaho, 6-4, 310, Sr.; Center-Bruce Mitchell, 6-4, 305, Jr.; Right Guard-Austin Leausa, 6-5, 315, Jr.; Right tackle-Andrew Gentry, 6-8, 315 Jr.

Primary Backups: Sonny Makasini, 6-4, 315, Jr.; Kaden Chidester, 6-8, 325, So.; Kyle Sfarcioc, 6-4, 310, Jr.; Andrew Williams, 6-8, 295, Fr.

Offensive line looks promising, with transfers Gentry and Sfarcioc living up to their billing to fill key positions and experienced returners, like Lapuaho, Mitchell and Leausa looking to improve their play from a season ago. BYU’s offensive line appears deeper and more talented than it has in some time entering the 2025 season.

Defensive tackle

Starters: Keanu Tanuvasa, 6-4, 300, Jr.; John Taumoepeaua, 6-2, 300, Sr.

Primary backups: Anisi Purcell, 6-3, 305, Jr.; Justin Kirkland, 6-3, 340 Sr.

BYU’s frontline starters, Tanuvasa and Taumoepeau are solid, but in order to be effective at defensive tackle, there needs to be a consistent rotation due to the physical toll required to play the position effectively. Kirkland has been limited due to injury, but should provide ample backup support in key situations this season. Also, look for coaches to field the interior defensive line position with some of their bigger defensive ends, like Bodie Schoonover and Viliami Po’uha, on occasion this season.

Defensive End

Starters: Logan Lutui, 6-2 260, Sr.; Viliami Po’uha, 6-3, 270 So.

Primary backups: Bodie Schoonover, 6-3, 265, Jr.; Bodie Schoonover, 6-3, 265, Jr.; Tausili Akana, 6-3, 235, So.

Defensive end should feature many options for coaches to employ, although those listed above are the ones we’ve seen log the most reps with the first and second-team defenses throughout fall practices. The position is indeed one of the most intriguing on the entire team, given the upside of many top prospects that are battling for playing time.

Outside linebacker

Starters: Isaiah Glasker, 6-5, 240 Jr.; Jack Kelly 6-2, 242 Sr.

Primary Backups: Ephraim Asiata, 6-3, 210 So.; Miles Hall, 6-1, 230, So.; Ace Kaufusi, 6-4, 237, So.

Outside linebacker is arguably the strongest position on the entire team with both Glasker and Kelly returning as defensive standouts from a season ago. Backup options are intriguing, with Asiata making the switch from defensive end and Hall looking to parlay the promise he showed last season. Kaufusi has shown well throughout fall practices and can fill in at either the outside or inside positions.

Inside linebacker

Starter: Siale Esera, 6-3, 245, So.

Primary backup: Choe Bryant-Strother, 6-3, 240, Sr.

Esera is a good bet for a breakout season given his upside while Bryant-Strother has been able to battle effectively for playing time after switching over from outside linebacker. As mentioned, Ace Kaufusi could see ample playing time at the inside position, too.

Cornerback

Starters: Mory Bamba, 6-3, 190, Sr.; Evan Johnson, 6-0, 185, Jr.

Primary backups: Therrian Alexander, 6-2, 175, So.; Jayden Dunlap, 6-0, 185, Sr.; Tommy Prassas, 6-2, 195, So.

Cornerback looks like a strong position again for the Cougars this season. Both Bamba and Johnson have been standouts throughout the fall and the backup situation looks competitive with several options, led by both Alexander and Dunlap rising to the occasion. Prassas, meanwhile, is primarily a safety, but will likely be used as BYU’s primary slot corner heading into the season.

Safety

Starters: Tanner Wall, 6-1, 205, Sr.; Raider Damuni, 6-1, 205, Jr.

Primary backups: Tommy Prassas, 6-2, 195, So.; Talan Alfrey, 6-2, 205, Sr.; Faletau Satuala, 6-4, 210, So.

Safety is a deep position led by Wall, who had a breakout season in 2024 in establishing himself as the leader in BYU’s defensive backfield. Damuni showed good progress throughout last season and Prassas is due for an expanded role, whether at safety or at slot corner.

Kicker

Starter: Will Ferrin, 6-3, 175 Sr.

There’s probably less concern with the kicker position than any other on the entire team. Ferrin is proven, extremely good and should provide a reliable option all season long.

Punter

Starter: Sam Vander Haar, 6-2, 220, Jr.

BYU is also in good hands with regards to punting, with Vander Haar returning after providing a 42.8 average per punt last season.

Punt returner

Starter: Parker Kingston, 5-11, 185 Sr.

Kingston was the headliner of BYU’s special teams play last season, returning two punts for touchdowns and is looking to expand upon that total this eason.

Kick returners

Parker Kingston and Cody Hagen, 6-0, 185, So.

Coaches have been somewhat mum on who exactly will be returning kickoffs, although Kingston and Hagen appear to be top options based on practice observations.