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BYU quarterback Bear Bachmeier throws a pass against Georgia Tech in the Pop-Tarts Bowl in Orlando, Fla., on Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025.

Courtesy BYU Photo

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BYU's Isaiah Glasker makes a tackle in a a Big 12 football game against Texas Tech at Lubbock, Texas, on Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025.

Courtesy BYU Photo

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DALLAS — The Football Writers Association of America have released the 2026 Bronko Nagurski Trophy Preseason Watch List, selecting BYU linebackers Isaiah Glasker and Cade Uluave as well as safety Faletau Satuala among the 68 contenders for the national defensive player of the year award.

The list includes student-athletes from 47 different schools and all 10 Division I FBS conferences plus Independents. The watch list consists of 21 linebackers, 16 safeties, 13 defensive ends, 10 defensive tackles and eight cornerbacks.

Satuala (6-4 215 Jr., Bountiful, Utah) played in all 13 games for No. 12-ranked BYU in 2025. He led the Cougars with 78 tackles and 2 forced fumbles, while collecting 3 interceptions and 7.5 tackles for loss, en route to being named second-team All-America by the FWAA. Satuala also earned All-Big 12 honors and was named the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week and Lott Trophy Player of the Week for his play in helping BYU defeat Iowa State in Ames to improve to 8-0 on the season.

Satuala was recently named 2026 preseason All-America and All-Big 12 by Athlon Sports. In addition, he was named Preseason All-Big 12 Team First Team by Phil Steele.

Glasker (6-5 240 Sr., South Jordan, Utah) was also named to the Phil Steele Preseason All-Big 12 First Team and listed as one of the top senior prospects for the 2027 NFL Draft by The Athletic.

As a junior in 2025, Glasker posted 67 total tackles with 8.5 tackles for loss. The Cougar co-captain also had 3 sacks, a forced fumble, 2 fumble recoveries and 2 interceptions. Glasker was named third-team All-Big 12 and was on the watch list for both the Butkus Award and the Bednarik Award.

Uluave (6-1 235 Sr., South Jordan, Utah) was recently named a candidate for the 2026 Lott IMPACT Trophy, which recognizes the top defensive player nationally who has had the biggest impact on his team both on and off the field.

Uluave is in his first year at BYU after transferring from Cal. A 2025 All-ACC First-Team linebacker, Uluave led Cal with 100 tackles, 12 tackles for loss and 5 quarterback hurries. Over three seasons, he played in 34 games for the Bears, starting 26. Uluave has 237 career tackles, 21.5 TFL, 6 sacks, 3 interceptions and 2 forced fumbles.

Mitchell, Tanuvasa mentioned on Outland Trophy Watch List

The Football Writers Association of America has named BYU center Bruce Mitchell and defensive tackle Keanu Tanuvasa to the preseason watch list for the 2026 Outland Trophy.

Since 1946, the Outland Trophy has been awarded annually to the best college football interior lineman by the FWAA. The prestigious trophy is named after John H. Outland, one of only a few players ever to be named an All-American at two positions.

Mitchell (6-4 305 Sr., Kamas, Utah) was recently named Phil Steele Preseason All-America Second Team and Athlon Sports Preseason All-America Third Team. He was also named to the All-Big 12 Preseason Team and received Preseason All-Big 12 First Team recognition from Phil Steele and Athlon Sports.

A co-captain, Mitchell started all 14 games for BYU as a junior in 2025. He anchored the middle of an offense line that averaged 31.4 points per game in 2025, ranking in the top 25 in 10 offensive statistics, including time of possession (No. 9), rushing first downs (No. 12), fewest sacks allowed (No. 12), rushing touchdowns (No. 13), rushing plays of 10+ yards (No. 18), total plays of 10+ yards (No. 19), first downs (No. 19), total offensive plays (No. 22), points scored (No. 23) and fewest interceptions (No. 23).

Tanuvasa (6-4 300 Sr., Mission Viejo, California) was a team captain and started all 14 games for BYU as a junior in 2025, receiving All-Big 12 Honorable Mention.

Tanuvasa totaled 25 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, three pass breakups and blocked a kick. He recorded a season-high four tackles against Stanford and Cincinnati, had sacks against Stanford and TCU, batted down passes against Utah, Iowa State and Texas Tech in the Big 12 Championship and blocked a kick against Georgia Tech in Pop-Tarts Bowl. His role in the middle of the defensive line was key to the team’s overall defensive success.

Martin, Bachmeier on Maxwell Award Watch List

AMBLER, Pennsylvania — BYU running back LJ Martin and quarterback Bear Bachmeier were named to the watch list for the 90th Maxwell Award, presented by the Maxwell Football Club to the most outstanding player in college football.

The 2026 Maxwell Award watch list is comprised of 81 players, including 15 from the Big 12 Conference. BYU is one of just 16 schools to have at least two of its student-athletes named to the watch list.

Martin (6-2 225 Sr., El Paso, Texas) was named the 2025 Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year. The first-team All-Big 12 running back also received Pro Football Network second-team All-America honors and was a semifinalist for the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award. In addition, he was named All-Big 12 by the Pro Football Network, Pro Football Focus and Sports Info Solutions.

During the 2025 season Martin rushed for 1,305 yards, ranked No. 11 nationally while his average of 100.38 yards per game was 12th. Martin was also No. 13 nationally with 120 all-purpose yards per game and his 1,305 yards were the seventh-most in school history for a single season.

Martin was recently selected Big 12 Preseason Offensive Player of the Year and was named preseason All-America by Athlon Sports and Phil Steele.

Bachmeier (6-2 230 So., Murrieta, California) was honored as conference freshman of the week seven times in 12 weeks during the regular season, on his way to earning the 2025 Big 12 Offensive Freshman of the Year Award and being named Big 12 Honorable Mention. Bachmeier was a candidate for the Manning Award and was named semifinalist for both the Davey O’Brien Award and the Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year. During the 2025 season he was named to the Davey O’Brien Award’s Great 8 list twice and was also a Manning Star of the week.

As a freshman in 2025, Bachmeier completed 251 of 387 passes (64.9 percent) for 3,033 yards and 15 touchdowns with just 7 interceptions. He averaged 216.6 yards per game passing and was second on the team in rushing, with 147 carries for 527 yards and 11 scores.

Bachmeier was recently named Phil Steele Preseason All-Big 12.

As offensive co-captains, Martin and Bachmeier helped lead No. 12 BYU to an 11-2 record in 2025, a trip to the Big 12 Championship and an invitation of the Pop-Tarts Bowl.