Courtesy BYU Photo

BYU football is close to concluding its spring practice session in preparation for the coming 2026 season, with several notable developments having taken place.

So what are those developments exactly?

Admittedly it’s becoming increasingly difficult to ascertain exactly what’s going on in a truly holistic sense, although several nuggets of knowledge have come forward. These so-called nuggets mostly come by way of interviews, during the media’s extremely-compressed observation periods and through sources close to the program.

So here’s what I’ve observed through almost a full month now of practice sessions with regards to what’s developing with each position group.

Quarterback

Courtesy BYU Photo

I wrote about how much more relaxed and affable Bear Bachmeier has been throughout spring, so I won’t delve into it much more here. The now sophomore quarterback accomplished extraordinary things as a true freshman last year and even bigger things can well be anticipated from him with that season under his belt coupled with a full offseason spent at BYU.

The question remains the depth behind Bachmeier with the hope that either senior Treyson Bourguet or freshman Enoch Watson will separate themselves as the No. 2 option at the team’s most central position.

And yeah, that’s it.

Sure, there’s Snow transfer Max Barker who hasn’t received even scant mention from coaches, but the onus for the task as backup quarterback rests on either Bourguet, who hasn’t done much to distinguish himself since arriving in Provo, and Watson, who is high on potential, but also high on inexperience and lack of necessary time to develop.

In short, stay tuned for any developments regarding BYU’s backup quarterback position as there’s been little to no developments, at least from my perspective.

Courtesy BYU Photo

Running back

LJ Martin had one of the best seasons for any BYU running in history last season. and his return to the Cougar roster for his senior year is a huge boon. Subsequently there’s absolutely no reason for him to do a thing beyond conditioning during the spring practice session. He’s good to go.

Who backs up Martin is certainly of note, and while Jovesa Damuni has continued to perform well there’s been some good buzz surrounding the prospects of freshman Logan Payne. Payne is a 5-foot-10, 210 running back from Weber who ran for chunks of yardage at the prep level, but was hampered by injury throughout his first season in Provo. Others of note include true freshman DeVaughn Eka from Lehi and Sione Moa, who looks to recover fully from his debilitating injury issues sustained last season.

Receiver

There’s a lot of receivers legitimately vying for the starting spots vacated by Chase Roberts and Parker Kingston and most of those names are fairly familiar. Sure, at least some type of contribution is anticipated from the likes of Jojo Phillips, Cody Hagen and even Snow College transfer Reggie Frischknecht, but there’s two somewhat unanticipated names that have created some buzz so far this spring.

The first of these notable newcomers is Lehi speedster Legend Glasker, the cousin of BYU star linebacker Isaiah Glasker. I watched Legend play several games for Lehi last season and never was the occasion when the 6-f0ot-1, 175 receiver wouldn’t break a play for a long touchdown, whether it be receiving the ball or returning a punt or a kickoff. Legend has turned heads and has widely been volunteered as a player who has impressed by everyone from Phillips to Head Coach Kalani Sitake.

The other notable is Oregon transfer Kyler Kasper, and he’s hard to miss out there. He’s every bit of 6-foot-6 and has made several appearances on the practice highlight reels released periodically from the BYU Sports Information Office. He’s also received early praise from coaches and players, which is perhaps more notable.

Tight end

Most of the attention has been afforded to USC transfer Walker Lyons, and he certainly hasn’t disappointed and is receiving plenty of reps. But then there’s Oregon transfer Roger Saleapaga, who has received many mentions from both Bachmeier and the coaching staff. Saleapaga is a former 4-star recruit from Orem and looks the part of a sort of hybrid receiver/tight end in the form of an Andrew George or Neil Pau’u. He should pair nicely with Lyons and other experienced tight ends on the roster like Keayen Nead and Noah Moeaki.

Offensive line

There’s never much to report about the offensive line during spring although the two most prominent names mentioned in replacing left tackle Isaiah Jatta are Washington transfer Paki Finau and senior Trevin Ostler.

Defensive line

The rule with most defensive positions is that they’ll look almost identical to last season, which is a very good thing. Every defensive player should prove that much better with a year’s starting experience and there’s a lot of starters returning at each defensive position group.

As far as the defensive line goes a big boost may come from Oklahoma State transfer Justin Kirkland. Much was anticipated from the mammoth 6-3, 335 Roy High product, but a lingering lower-body injury hampered him throughout the season and ultimately led coaches to redshirt him. So far this spring he’s seen plenty of reps and has coaches optimistic regarding his ability to take necessary reps at the defense’s most central and most physically-taxing interior defensive line position.

Linebacker

The most stacked position on the BYU football team got even more stacked with the transfer of Cal standout Cade Uluave, a player whom much has been written about already. But then there’s Kansas State transfer Jake Clifton, a name defensive coaches seem to volunteer during every practice session, Clifton is a 6-2, 230 junior who could very well work himself into what looks to be a stacked linebacker rotation.

Defensive back

BYU needs to replace Mory Bamba and so far the guy who looks equal to the task is Mississippi State transfer Jayven Williams. It’s hard not to notice the amount of top reps Williams has been receiving throughout the spring practice sessions during media observation periods, and I have to assume there’s a reason for that. Furthermore, he’s yet another name constantly volunteered by defensive coaches and players as someone who has impressed so far though almost a month of practice sessions.