Who will be BYU’s X factor? Several freshmen ‘good enough to play’ will make impact for No. 14 Cougars
When BYU signed one of the best football recruiting classes in school history last December and February, it was widely assumed that head coach Kalani Sitake and his staff wouldn’t see the fruits of their labors for at least a year, maybe longer.
That’s because a couple of the four-star signees from that class, namely tight end Brock Harris and quarterback Ryder Lyons, elected to serve missions for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints before enrolling at BYU.
What few people saw coming, however, was that several of those other guys who signed in December would enroll in January, impress in spring and fall camps, and make an immediate impact in the 2026 season.
“This is as fast of a BYU team as I’ve seen, and that’s after losing some of our faster guys from a year ago.”
As BYU wrapped up preseason training camp Tuesday
But as BYU wrapped up preseason training camp Tuesday and turned its attention to the season opener against Utah Tech on Sept. 5, that appears to be happening.
No fewer than 11 of BYU’s 21 signees from the high school ranks will be on the 105-man roster, and at least a half-dozen could see playing time sooner than later.
A case could be made that BYU’s so-called “X factor” this season won’t be just one guy. It could be several freshmen who will hold down the fort until guys such as Harris, Lyons, Adam Bywater, Parker Ord and Kate Akana return from missions.
Some of these guys are going to help
“Some of these guys are going to help us this season,” said offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick. “Some of these freshmen are good enough to play.”
Leading the way is receiver Legend Glasker, a 6-foot-2, 175-pound playmaker from Lehi High who has apparently moved into the starting rotation for receivers coach and passing game coordinator Fesi Sitake.
Glasker, second cousin to BYU linebacker Isaiah Glasker, is being mentioned in the same breath as Oregon transfer Kyler Kasper and returning player Jojo Phillips as one of the top pass-catchers on the squad.
This is as fast of a BYU team
“This is as fast of a BYU team as I’ve seen, and that’s after losing some of our faster guys from a year ago,” said defensive coordinator Kelly Poppinga, after his unit was outplayed in the first scrimmage by the likes of Legend Glasker and redshirt sophomore Reggie Frischknecht.
Legend Glasker isn’t the only freshman receiver who could see the field fairly early. Lone Peak product Jaron Pula and Terrance Saryon, a 5-11 speedster from Portland, Oregon, have also done some good things in camp.
Saryon was singled out by backup QB Treyson Bourguet as one of the top offensive players in camp last week.
I don’t think anybody in the country
“I don’t think anybody in the country is going to have a bigger group (of receivers) than we have,” Roderick said. “… Tiger Bachmeier had a really good scrimmage. He’s playing well. Reggie Frischknecht is playing well. And (Legend) Glasker, he’s been doing a really nice job.”
A year after Bear Bachmeier broke onto the scene in a big way as a true freshman quarterback, Roderick likes how returned missionary Enoch Watson has progressed since joining the team before the bowl game last December.
“Enoch, he is super talented, and just learning new things every day,” Roderick said. “He never repeats a mistake, and he has a very high ceiling.”
Staying on the offensive side of the ball,
Staying on the offensive side of the ball, coaches say running back Devaughn Eka, also from Lehi High, could be in the mix to back up LJ Martin and Sione Moa. Journee Tonga, a late addition to the running backs room who got into BYU on his own academic merits, has also been impressive in camp.
“I don’t think we have the exact depth set yet, but Preston Rex is gonna play this year. Devaughn’s gonna play this year. And then this kid Journee, we haven’t ruled him out yet. He is explosive. Every time he touches the ball, something exciting happens, it seems like,” Roderick said.
Last week, offensive line coach TJ Woods said it is rare for a true freshman to get a starting spot, but Bott Mulitalo of Lone Peak is in the mix to be a primary backup at several different positions along the line.
Bott is very talented, Woods said
“Bott is very talented,” Woods said. “A lot of things come real natural to him. It is just the experience that he lacks, right?”
BYU has almost every defensive starter back, and has added two veteran transfer linebackers in Jake Clifton (Kansas State) and Cade Uluave (California), so breaking into the lineup is a tall task.
However, coaches have raved about the abilities of edge rusher/outside linebacker Braxton Lindsey, a 6-4, 240-pound freshman from Rogers, Arkansas.
Lindsey is someone (everybody) should be talking about
Lindsey “is someone (everybody) should be talking about more,” said edge rushers coach Chad Kauha’aha’a last week. “We also haven’t talked enough about Nusi (Taumoepeau) and Tausili (Akana), and others.”
Another freshman defender to keep an eye on is Kennan Pula, who has been running with the first-team defense at safety while Faletau Satuala recovers from a fractured foot injury.
A new specialist to watch is Brody Laga, a kicker from Herriman who is already pushing veteran Matthias Dunn.
“Brody has a super strong leg,” said special teams coordinator Justin Ena. “He has a whip that goes forever and ever and ever. … He’s got a monster leg and now it is just about being exact and honing everything in.”
Source: sports.yahoo.com
