defense
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✦ AI Summary · 4 items synthesized
- [forum] The Cougars wrap up fall camp this week and turn attention to season opener. - PROVO, Utah — The BYU football team practiced Monday and Tuesday as it finishes its last week of fall camp prior to the 2026 season opener against Utah Tech.
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- [twitter] LB: Cade Uluave was named a candidate for the Butkus Award, presented annually by the Butkus Foundation to the nation’s top collegiate linebacker.
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- [twitter] DB: Faletau Satuala was named to the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Preseason Watch List The Jim Thorpe Award is presented annually to the best defensive back in college football based on performance on the field...
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- [forum] As BYU finishes its first week of fall camp, get a brief outlook on the defense and special teams units. - BYU’s defense has established itself as one of the premier units not only in the Big 12 but also nationally. - The Cougars expect the 2026 group to be no different with stars returning at every position, led by experienced and newly promoted defensive... [source](https://byucougars.com/news/2026/08/8/fall-camp-week-1-2026-byu-football-defensespecial-teams-preview
Projecting BYU's Week 1 Depth Chart as Camp Kalani winds down
- Sophomore Bear Bachmeier is the clear starting quarterback, with improved camp accuracy and deep-ball work making vertical passing the key variable in BYU's attempt to build on a 12-win season.
- Reigning Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year LJ Martin is the unquestioned lead back, while Sione Moa's health remains important because his receiving and tackle-breaking skills provide the changeup behind Martin.
- BYU projects an unusually large receiving corps and frequent two-tight-end sets with Walker Lyons and Roger Saleapaga, creating an intermediate and red-zone mismatch profile while the vertical attack remains unproven.
- All-Big 12 center Bruce Mitchell anchors an experienced offensive line with Washington transfer Paki Finau projected at left tackle, though the article identifies tackle depth as the unit's primary concern.
- Justin Kirkland's return at nose tackle allows Keanu Tanuvasa to move back to his preferred defensive-tackle role, where more one-on-one opportunities could increase his backfield disruption.
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BYU finishing last week of fall camp with sights set on 2026 opener
- The Cougars wrap up fall camp this week and turn attention to season opener.
- PROVO, Utah — The BYU football team practiced Monday and Tuesday as it finishes its last week of fall camp prior to the 2026 season opener against Utah Tech.
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BYU Offense Wins the Day in First Fall Camp Scrimmage
- On Saturday, the BYU football program wrapped up the first scrimmage of Fall Camp.
- According to Kalani Sitake, the scrimmage consisted of 102 plays.
- The ones went live for half the scrimmage, and the backups were live throughout the scrimmage.
- The media wasn't permitted to attend the scrimmage, but BYU did share out a few highlights.
- In the highlights, the BYU offense scored multiple touchdown on chunk-yardage plays....
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Football closing out third week of fall camp for 2026
- PROVO, Utah — The BYU football team practiced Friday morning as the third week of spring football closes out with the season opener coming soon.
- BYU opens the year against Utah Tech on Saturday, September 5 at LaVell Edwards Stadium.
- Single-game tickets are on sale now .
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BYU offense finds rhythm in first fall scrimmage
- New wide receivers Kyler Kasper and Reggie Frischknecht both scored touchdowns during the scrimmage.
- Running backs Sione Moa, Devaughn Eka, and LJ Martin all made notable plays, highlighting potential depth.
- There were a lot of big plays on offense, and head coach Kalani Sitake said as much by saying the offense had the best performance.
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LJ Martin named to Walter Camp Player of Year Award watch list
- The prestigious Walter Camp Player of Year Award has been presented annually since 1967 by the Walter Camp Football Foundation.
- NEW HAVEN, Connecticut — BYU running back LJ Martin was today named to the preseason watch list for the prestigious Walter Camp Player of Year Award, presented annually since 1967 by the Walter Camp Football Foundation.
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Podcast: Big 12 Win Totals Part 1: BYU, Colorado, Houston & MORE | 2026 College Football Futures
- BYU returns its starting quarterback, established skill players and the entire offensive line, preserving the physical identity that made the Cougars one of the Big 12's toughest teams at the line of scrimmage.
- Jay Hill's departure creates a defensive-coordinator question, but his replacement is a former Bronco Mendenhall assistant who has already spent recent seasons inside the BYU program.
- The panel views the road rivalry at Utah as more winnable than in prior years, though a three-game road stretch remains a meaningful schedule risk.
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- DB: Faletau Satuala was named to the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Preseason Watch List The Jim Thorpe Award is presented annually to the best defensive back in college football based on performance on the field...
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- LB: Cade Uluave was named a candidate for the Butkus Award, presented annually by the Butkus Foundation to the nation’s top collegiate linebacker.
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BYU cornerback Evan Johnson named Preseason All-America
- Johnson was named second-team Preseason All-America by Sports Info Solutions, a leading company in football data tracking and analytics.
- BETHLEHEM, Pennsylvania — BYU senior cornerback Evan Johnson was named second-team Preseason All-America by Sports Info Solutions, a leading company in pro and college football player data tracking and analytics.
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Fall Camp Week Two Begins with Monday Practice
- PROVO, Utah — The BYU football team began its second week of fall camp practices on Monday morning.
- The Cougars will practice five times this week in addition to a team photo day as they build toward week one's matchup against Utah Tech on September 5 at LaVell Edwards Stadium.
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Fall Camp Week 1: 2026 BYU Football Defense/Special Teams Preview
- As BYU finishes its first week of fall camp, get a brief outlook on the defense and special teams units.
- BYU’s defense has established itself as one of the premier units not only in the Big 12 but also nationally.
- The Cougars expect the 2026 group to be no different with stars returning at every position, led by experienced and newly promoted defensive coordinator Kelly Poppinga .
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Fall Camp Week 1: A Look at BYU's 2026 Schedule
- PROVO, Utah — BYU had its second practice of fall camp on Thursday as the 2026 season is less than a month away with a Sept.
- Home & Away BYU's 2026 slate includes seven home games, including welcoming Notre Dame to Provo on Oct.
- 17 for a mid-season nonconference matchup in LaVell Edwards Stadium.
- The home schedule kicks off the season with the...
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BYU football reports for fall camp to start 2026
- The BYU football team reported to campus on Tuesday as the 2026 season officially begins with the start of fall football camp.
- PROVO, Utah — The preparation for the 2026 BYU football season officially began Tuesday with players and coaches reporting to fall camp at the Student Athlete Building.
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Sitake, Damuni named Allstate AFCA Good Works Team nominees
- BYU head football coach Kalani Sitake and senior safety Raider Damuni were announced as nominees by the American Football Coaches Association and Allstate.
- NORTHBROOK, Ill . — BYU head football coach Kalani Sitake and senior safety Raider Damuni were today named nominees for the 2026 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team by the American Football Coaches Association and Allstate.
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SHREWD MOVE: BYU Adds John Sanders to Quarterback Room, Filling Depth & Eyeing Future Big 12 IMPACT
- Top Betting/Intel Takeaways
- BYU added JUCO QB John Sanders from Antelope Valley College to fill the fourth scholarship QB slot, not to challenge Bear Bachmeier immediately.
- Bear Bachmeier remains the clear QB1. Jake Hatch said not to misconstrue the Sanders addition as a sign that the starting job is open.
- BYU wants to carry four scholarship quarterbacks annually under the 105-man roster limit, with walk-on/former walk-on types filling depth beyond that.
- Sanders is expected to enter as QB4 and run the scout team in 2026, helping BYU's defense prepare for Big 12 opponents while he learns Aaron Roderick's offense.
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