Overall the Cougars have fared relatively well in maintaining most of its roster during what can be a turbulent transfer portal period, and in doing as much could prove the single best offseason development when it’s all said and done. Kalani Sitake and his staff also moved quickly in elevating Kelly Poppinga to the role of Defensive Coordinator in the wake of Jay Hill’s departure to Michigan while adding DeMario Warren to the staff as the replacement for Jenaro Gilford as cornerbacks coach.

But what about a safeties coach?

Yes, it’s a big void that’s left to fill with not a lot of obvious names out there, other than perhaps Gavin Fowler, who recently accepted a position to be the defensive coordinator at Weber State after spending several years as a defensive analyst at BYU. Another familiar name on the Wildcat staff is Tanner Jacobson, who played defensive back for the Cougars and is thought to be a fast riser in the coaching world after accepting a spot to be associate head coach to new Weber State head coach Eric Kjar.

Could BYU offer enough to lure either Fowler or Jacobson away from Weber State? One would certainly assume as much, although it’s not confirmed if Kalani Sitake’s staff has honed in on either, although that could certainly change with spring practices approaching.

And then there’s replacing Matt Mitchell.

Who’s that?

Although BYU offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick is technically the program’s quarterbacks coach, it’s become apparent that Matt Mitchell, who was officially on offensive analyst for the Cougars played a big role in developing the quarterbacks in the program. Just ask anyone, including Bear Bachmeier, who consistently praised Mitchell for his development last season.

Mitchell left BYU to take the job as quarterbacks coach at Colorado State just prior to the departures of both Hill and Gilford, and subsequently didn’t catch near the notice. But replacing Mitchell is a top priority given the importance of the position he coached, along with the quality he administered that coaching, making replacing him effectively a chief priority.

Okay, what else?

I’ve regaled the additions BYU has made through the transfer portal, most notably the addition of former USC tight end Walker Lyons, who very well could step right in and pick up where Carsen Ryan left off. He certainly has that type of potential, which now has me thinking of just how bright the future is for the Cougars at the tight end position.

Lyons will join a tight end group that includes Keayen Nead and Noah Moeaki, both of whom saw spot duty primarily as blockers throughout the 2025 season. But there was another late transfer portal addition in the form of former Orem High standout Roger Saleapaga, who transferred from Oregon and was rated a 4-star prospect out of high school.

But that’s not all.

BYU will also receive the services of 4-star incoming freshman Ty Goettsche, who would have been big news had the Cougars not also signed the slightly-higher rated Brock Harris, who will be leaving on a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints prior to enrolling. Then there’s highly-rated Parker Ord, who like Harris will first embark on a mission before joining the program while another 4-star prospect, Ryner Swanson, will be returning in time for the 2027 season.

Got all that?

If not, just trust me, BYU is flush with tight end talent for both the near and far future. You like two or even three tight end sets as a base offensive formation? Well, you’re going to love what BYU’s offense will probably present during the next four to six years.

Okay, back to my original point, which is that I firmly believe BYU still needs more running back depth.

What LJ Martin accomplished last season was pretty gosh darn rare, and shouldn’t be taken for granted as something that’s likely to happen again. No, this isn’t about Martin’s talent or effectiveness. He’s obviously very, very good and is likely to be even better when next season roles around.

But consider Martin’s career prior to his outstanding 2025 campaign, which would seem perhaps more of a rule than last season’s exception. Martin missed at least three games in each of his first two seasons, which is fairly typical for a running back at any level, and especially when that running back is assigned the workload Martin was last season.

Consider BYU enjoys just one bye this coming season before playing nine straight to finish out before perhaps again advancing to the Big 12 Championship game, which would then bump it up to 10 straight weeks without a bye.

I guess this is a long way to state that Martin needs more adequate backup. Sure, Jovesa Damuni looked good in the Pop-tarts Bowl, but that’s one guy, and who really knows anything regarding Sione Moa’s status upon consideration of his bizarre injury situation.

So, BYU needs to add another running back through the transfer portal, in my humble opinion as the team continues to check off things on its to-do list with spring practices quickly approaching.