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BYU linebacker Isaiah Glasker reacts to a big defensive play against East Carolina in a college football game on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025..

Courtesy BYU Photo

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Lehi's Legend Glasker celebrates a touchdown in American Fork's 21-20 win in the 6A state playoffs. October 31, 2025

Brandon Gurney, Provo Daily Herald

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BYU linebacker Isaiah Glasker celebrates a game-ending interception against Colorado at Folsom Field in Boulder, Colo., on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025.

Courtesy BYU Photo

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BYU linebacker Isaiah Glasker celebrates after an interception against UCF on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024.

Courtesy BYU Photo

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BYU sophomore linebacker Isaiah Glasker holds the defensive MVP trophy after the Cougars won the 2024 Valero Alamo Bowl against Colorado at the Alamodome in San Antonio on Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024.

Nate Edwards, BYU Photo

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BYU linebacker Isaiah Glasker celebrates after returning an interception for a touchdown against Arizona at LaVell Edwards Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024.

Aaron Cornia, BYU Photo

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Lehi senior Legend Glasker celebrates scoring a touchdown during the non-region game against Weber in Lehi on Friday, Sept. 13, 2025.

Jared Lloyd, Daily Herald

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BYU receiver Legend Glasker (left) makes a catch against Jordyn Criss during spring practice on Friday, March 27, 2026.

Jaren Wilkey, BYU Photo

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One of BYU football’s key additions to the the 2026 roster may actually be a player who has been rostered since the 2022 season. Not only has been a part of BYU’s roster, but Isaiah Glasker has been an emerging big part of said roster since he shed his redshirt during the 2023 season to make consistent plays for the Cougar defense.

So why label him as a roster addition for 2026?

Consider what Cougar fans saw from Glasker throughout the 2025 season, or more accurately, didn’t see.

Sure, the former Bingham High standout played in all 14 games and logged good stats, which included 67 total tackles, three sacks and two interceptions. Those are very solid numbers for most players, but considering what Glasker showed as a first-team All Big-12 Conference performer in 2024,  on top of his superior athletic makeup and potential, and his junior season didn’t exactly showcase what he’s capable of.

The reason was entirely due to a nagging ankle injury that he chose to gut through during most of the year to help the team as best he could rather than rest up for even one single game.

Now that his gimpy ankle should be rested up and healed, he’s raring to go when the calendar turns to September this year.

“I wasn’t playing at 100 percent all last year, at least for most of it, so I’m definitely excited to come back this season and show what I can do when fully healthy,” Glasker said. “The recovery has been good. I haven’t been cleared medically yet, but it’s probably going to happen in another month, and I can’t wait to get back out there.”

No, Glasker didn’t participate during BYU’s recently-completed spring practice session, and probably wouldn’t have done all that much had even been issued a clear bill of health. The reason is the 6-foot-5, 240 pound senior is fully engrained within BYU’s defensive system and Cougar coaches are very aware of his abilities.

And those abilities are tremendous. Given his size and speed combo, Glasker can cover a lot of the open field while posing formidable pass rushes or locking up opposing tight ends in coverage.

“I’m excited to be back at BYU, and like I said, I definitely want to go out there and play like I know I can this year,” he concluded. “I love our team and I love the coaches, the program and everything that’s here. I’m going to try and make the most of it for my final senior year.”

A Legend in the making

One of the more oft-mentioned newcomers to the team this spring by coaches and players during interviews was Legend Glasker, who happens to be the cousin of Isaiah Glasker. When prompted to point out certain freshmen making impressions, the first-year player from Lehi was consistently mentioned.

As it so happens, Legend proving to be a spring practice standout was expected by Isaiah, who watched his younger cousin do his thing from the sidelines with a lot of satisfaction.

“Oh, it was no surprise to me that he could make plays right when he got here,” Isaiah said. “He’s a playmaker, and he’s already showing it and I’m excited about his future at BYU.”

Isaiah and Legend were very close growing up, to the point where Isaiah considers him sort of like a brother, much more than a cousin.

“We were sleeping over at one another’s house at least every other weekend, it seems,” Isaiah related. “And we competed a lot against each other growing up. He was younger than me, sure, but I didn’t take it easy on him. I knew that he could do great things and I love him a lot, and I think me not taking it easy on him maybe helped him become the player he is now.”

Legend is a 6-foot-1, 175 pound speedster who showed capable and prolific at taking the top off of an opposing defense throughout his prep career, along with doing the same to special teams units as both a returner.

“He’s going to do great things at BYU. You just watch,” Isaiah said. “I’ve been watching him develop since little league, and I’m so excited to have him here now as my teammate. It’s going to be a lot of fun.”