Here’s the five top storylines we’ll be focused on throughout Camp Kalani, the 2026 version.

Bear Bachmeier’s passing tree

Bear Bachmeier is returning on the heels of his remarkable freshman campaign in 2025 and is ready to rip and roll. But who exactly he’ll be ‘ripping’ to primarily is certainly one of the top questions BYU will be made to answer throughout the next four weeks of practices.

Gone are BYU’s top three receivers from last season with the top returning receiver returning being Jojo Phillips, who missed half of the season due to injury and finished with just 14 receptions. All eyes will be on Phillips throughout the month of August as perhaps the best bet to grab the No. 1 receiving position as he looks fully recovered from injury and presents one of the more impressive athletic sets of anyone on the entire team given his 6-foot-4 frame.

Top competition for top-receiver billing is certainly going to come from 6-foot-6 Oregon transfer Kyler Kasper, who impressed during spring practices along with some notable true freshmen, which include Jaron Pula, who sat out spring with injury, Legend Glasker and Terrance Saryon, among others.

There’s strong indication, however, that Bachmeier’s top receiving options won’t be at the wide receiver, however, with both USC transfer Walker Lyons and Oregon transfer Roger Saleapaga both coming off of very strong spring performances at the tight end position. How both of these top-flight transfers continue to perform, and how BYU offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick adjusts the offense, will certainly be of note throughout the fall practice session.

Backing up Bear

BYU came out of spring without naming a top backup option for Bear Bachmeier as the competition for those important duties will continue into the month of August, and perhaps even beyond that.

The primary candidate will be Treyson Bourguet, who will be entering his senior season at BYU with two full years of experience within Roderick’s offensive system, which should certainly provide a big edge. Bourguet is a 6-foot-2, 205 pound transfer from Western Michigan who is known to throw a great deep ball among other strengths.

Bourguet will continue to be pushed by intriguing true freshman Enoch Watson. Coached up by former BYU great Max Hall in the Arizona prep ranks, Watson presents a duel-threat option that stands in at 6-foot-3 and 215 pounds with a relatively raw skill set that could advance quickly as practices progress.

Special teams shift

BYU’s highly successful special teams units over the past two seasons will be experiencing major overhauls, leaving the overall performance of one of the team’s most essential yet often overlooked facets certainly in focus.

First off there’s a new special teams coordinator with former inside linebacker coach Justin Ena leaving that post to entirely focus on coaching up all the special teams units. The fact that part of BYU’s coaching shakeup in the wake of both Jay Hill and Jenaro Gilford leaving for Michigan in January includes someone on staff only coaching special teams indicates just how serious Sitake is in maintaining top special team performances.

The Cougars will have to find a new kicker, punter and return specialist with Will Ferrin, Sam Vander Haar and Parker Kingston all gone, respectively. It’s going to be a bit hard to gauge just how well the special team adjustments will bear out this spring, but the focus will certainly be central throughout the August practice session.

Sorting out the secondary

BYU also has some new faces coaching up the defensive secondary with DeMario Warren replacing Jay Hill as safeties coach and Lewis Walker replacing Jenaro Gilford as cornerbacks coach.

How will the defensive secondary adjust to what’s certain to be at least some adjustments to overall technique and coverages will be of note along with how the defensive secondary will ultimately align. Will the Cougars present a nickel formation constantly as it has over the past two seasons or will it migrate back to a traditional four defensive back look when considering the strength of BYU’s linebackers?

Also, there are some battles to be fought out. Sure, both Evan Johnson and Tre Alexander are well-assumed to be the two starters at corner, with Faletau Satuala and Raider Damuni the likely starters at safety, but who wins the primary backup roles? It’s certain to be one of the main focuses throughout August.

Dominant defensive line

Perhaps the most intriguing position group on the entire team is the defensive line, and how this group suffices and who takes the reps will certainly be a focus throughout fall camp.

The list of defensive end talent is especially intriguing with former top-flight recruits like Hunter Clegg, Tausili Akana, Braxton Lindsey, and Nusi Taumoepeau all battling for spots along with some hybrid-types who could either on the interior or at end — players such as Bodie Schoonover and Villiami Po’uha. How they pair with interior linemen such as Keanu Tanuvasa, Justin Kirkland, Anisi Purcell and upstart Ulavai Fetuli will be a fun development to monitor throughout the month of August.