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Cade Uluave goes through tackling drills during one of BYU's spring practice sessions. March 25, 2026

Courtesy BYU Photo

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Cal transfer Cade Uluave goes through drills during BYU's spring practice session. February 27, 2026

Courtesy BYU Photo

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Cade Uluave has made a big impact on the BYU defense since transferring from Cal this past offseason. March 25, 2026

Courtesy BYU Photo

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It’s always notable which players BYU chooses to represent the football program during media availability and eight top players presented to the media for extended interview sessions just prior to the Alumni Game played last week.

All but one of the players presented were individuals most fans would expect to asked to speak for the team, from top running back LJ Martin and quarterback Bear Bachmeier to defensive standouts last season such as Keanu Tanuvasa, Evan Johnson and Faletau Satuala. Players most fans are very familiar with due to their exploits on the field of play last season, making each fairly obvious choices to represent the team, as a whole, at the conclusion of spring practices.

But as mentioned, there was one player present who has yet to play a single down for the Cougars, but has already been tabbed as a leader and likely top playmaker on the team. That player was Cade Uluave, and even though he was very much an outlier relative to all the other players at the media function, his presence was not a surprise to those same athletes.

“It’s his awareness. That’s what’s apparent about Cade and it’s why he belongs as one of our top representatives, even though he hasn’t been here as long as some of us,” Tanuvasa said. “Sure, he’s aware of everything on the field, but it’s even more so how he’s aware of what BYU is  off of it and and he carries himself with that awareness. I’ve been impressed with him since the first day he arrived and that’s why he’s already being asked to represent as one of our top players.”

It’s a role Tanuvasa himself was thrust into throughout the 2025 offseason after transferring from Utah, and not all that ironically, Uluave has reminded several of BYU’s top defensive tackle with his approach and how he carries himself.

“I knew I had a connection with him immediately, and yeah, I think we’re a lot a like,” Tanuvasa said. “I felt like we were in synch the second I started practicing with him and everywhere else off of the practice field. We’re blessed to have Cade Uluave as a representative of the program and I think fans are going to be very pleased with what he’s able to do this season.”

Uluave is a 6-foot-1, 235 pound middle linebacker from Herriman, Utah who played three seasons with Cal and saw a lot of success there. He was thrust into action as a true freshman and was one of the top defensive players for the Bears in every season thereafter before opting to transfer to BYU for his final senior season.

With regards to how he’ll fit into an already deep and talented BYU linebacking corps, Ulauve has adjusted well, and readily credits those around him.

“It’s always difficult being the new guy and fitting in and finding your place, but I feel the team around me, along with the coaches, has made it a lot easier,” Uluave said. “It’s a new system and culture, but I’ve felt so accepted since the second I arrived and that’s been a huge help.”

Now that he feels like he’s fit in well with his play over the course of this past spring practice session, the former Herriman High standout is focused on how he can lead off the field.

“It’s all about finding my voice and working on really being a leader for this team like I felt I was at Cal,” Uluave said. “I’m looking forward to being a leader for this program because I’ve already found that I love it here. I came here because of what (BYU coach) Kalani (Sitake) represents and the culture he’s built. That was a big reason for me and I’m very excited to have the opportunity to finish out my career for this program.”

As for what fans can expect from Uluave on the field this season, it’s mostly about versatility and speed.

“I love how versatile this defense is with its coverages and pass rushes,” Uluave said. “On one play they’ll drop you in coverage and the very next play you’re coming off the edge to pass rush. It’s a lot of fun and I think it’s going to be very effective for us. There’s so many great players here and it’s been really competitive during practices, which is great for everyone. You’re not growing if you’re comfortable, and the level of play these linebackers provide during practice sessions is going to make everyone that much better.”

Administering all of it is first-year BYU defensive coordinator Kelly Poppinga, who also coaches the middle linebackers.

“My defensive coordinator at Cal also coached my position, so I love that,” Uluave said. “I love having the defensive coordinator seeing the defense through our eyes and Coach Poppinga has been great to learn from so far. I’ve felt myself improve every day I’ve been here and a big reason for that is because of him and because of everyone else around me.”

Scheduling update

The Big 12 Conference released information regarding specific dates of games scheduled for the 2025 season on Friday with BYU’s game versus Iowa State selected to be played on a Friday.

Big 12 Conference press release:

The Big 12 Conference, alongside its television partners ESPN and FOX, has announced nine football games to be played on Fridays and select weekdays during the week for the 2026 season. The selections include eight Friday games and a Thanksgiving match-up on Thursday, Nov. 26. Specific network designations and kick-off times for these games will be announced at a later date.

The weekday picks begin with a marquee non-conference meeting when Kansas hosts Missouri in the Border Showdown rivalry game on Friday, Sept. 11, a week before an early Conference matchup between Houston and Texas Tech on Friday, Sept. 18.

October will see a pair of Friday games with Iowa State at BYU on October 9 and Baylor at UCF on October 30. TCU at Arizona, Houston at Colorado, Iowa State at UCF and West Virginia at Utah are scheduled for Friday kickoffs in November, which also includes TCU and Texas Tech playing on Thanksgiving.

2026 Big 12 Football Weekday Selections

Friday, Sept. 11 – Missouri at Kansas

Friday, Sept. 18 – Houston at Texas Tech

Friday, Oct. 9 – Iowa State at BYU

Friday, Oct. 30 – Baylor at UCF

Friday, Nov. 6 – TCU at Arizona

Friday, Nov. 13 – Houston at Colorado

Friday, Nov. 20 – Iowa State at UCF

Thursday, Nov. 26 – TCU at Texas Tech

Friday, Nov. 27 – West Virginia at Utah