BYU kicks off against Utah Tech this Saturday at LaVell Edwards Stadium. That means it’s officially game week for the first time in 2026. As such, the Cougars released their depth chart ahead of their matchup with the Trailblazers.
Let’s break it down.
A new blindside protector for Bear Bachmeier
This development is not something new. Some might have thought after Isaiah Jatta left to test NFL waters that Andrew Gentry would swing over to the left tackle
spot. The coaches went a different direction. That was surely aided by them landing Paki Finau in the transfer portal. He comes from the Washington Huskies, where he took snaps at every offensive line position except for center last year. He mainly was the Huskies’ left guard.
Finau earned the starting left tackle nod out of camp for BYU. Diving into the numbers, he excels at pass blocking. At Washington last year, he did not allow a single sack in 229 pass blocking snaps. The question mark is that he only has 23 career snaps at left tackle thus far in college. Coaches have been consistent in their praise since spring. Offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick said in the spring that Finau was already running with the ones and that the staff “loved him” dating back to high school recruiting.
Legend Glasker explodes onto scene with new-look receiver group
The speedy receiver impressed immediately at camp. He listed among the starting wide receivers and as a kick-return option. Glasker was certainly the biggest camp development. Coaches said he digested the playbook unusually well for a first-year player and has been running with the ones the majority of the time. He is the first freshman receiver to start under Fesi Sitake.
Kyler Kasper comes over from Oregon. At 6-foot-6, he’s one of the tallest receivers BYU has ever had. Jojo Phillips now stands to benefit from the turnover at receiver and could become Bachmeier’s favorite option.
Co-starters at tight end?
The top two tight end options are listed as Walker Lyons “or” Roger Saleapaga. Many assumed Lyons would take on the role as the main security blanket for Bachmeier in the passing game, transferring from USC. However, his fellow Big-10 transfer in Saleapaga out of Oregon is set to take significant snaps as well. This might say more about how often Roderick will go in a “12 personnel” style on offense, meaning two tight ends on the field.
There is a new sheriff in town in the middle of the defense
When Jack Kelly left for the NFL, many pointed to that as the biggest hole BYU needed to fill in the transfer portal. They did that emphatically, landing Cade Uluave out of Cal. In 2025 he led the Bears with 100 tackles and 12 tackles for loss, earning first-team All-ACC. The staff views him as a stabilizer in the middle who can also drop into coverage and blitz. Analysts have described the transfer as BYU’s top offseason addition and a potential Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year candidate. He is also a team captain.
Multiplicity and versatility is the name of the game on defense
The defense technically has 13 slots listed for the depth chart. Football allows for 11 players on the field at one time. This seems to point to new defensive coordinator Kelly Poppinga opting for a variety of packages and roles, depending on what the opposing offense shows. This is definitely an advantage BYU has over many teams they will face, is their experience and depth on defense. Returning starters like Keanu Tanuvasa, Isaiah Glasker, Siale Esera, Raider Damuni, Faletau Satuala, and cornerbacks Evan Johnson and Thierrian Alexander III will anchor a strong unit. Another positive development is Satuala being listed on the depth chart after battling a foot injury during camp.
