BYU enters the 2026 college football season with a roster loaded with preseason accolades, headlined by running back LJ Martin, who was named the Big 12 Preseason Offensive Player of the Year. Following a 12-win campaign in 2025, the Cougars enter the year with multiple players recognized by both the conference and Phil Steele as premier talents in the league.
Martin Leads Preseason Honors
The Big 12 Conference announced its preseason awards on July 6, 2026, naming Martin the league's Preseason Offensive Player of the Year. The senior running back enters the season following a standout 2025 campaign where he was named the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year. Martin's performance last season included 1,305 rushing yards, the seventh-most single-season total in school history, and an average of 100.38 yards per game.
All-American Trio
In addition to Martin's conference-wide recognition, BYU Athletics announced on June 12, 2026, that 12 Cougars received Phil Steele Preseason All-Big 12 honors. This group includes three preseason All-Americans: Martin, senior center Bruce Mitchell, and senior linebacker Cade Uluave. Mitchell, a 6-foot-4, 305-pound center from Kamas, Utah, was a Rimington Trophy candidate last season after becoming the team's full-time starter.
Defensive Standouts
Uluave, a senior linebacker who transferred from Cal, was named to the Phil Steele All-America Fourth Team. During his tenure at Cal, the South Jordan native recorded 100 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, and five quarterback hurries in 2025. He enters the season as a 2026 Lott IMPACT Trophy candidate. Other Phil Steele First Team selections for BYU include senior linebacker Isaiah Glasker, senior defensive lineman Keanu Tanuvasa, and junior safety Faletau Satuala.
Conference-Wide Recognition
The Cougars' depth is reflected in the conference-wide preseason team, which includes six BYU players. Along with Martin, the preseason All-Big 12 team features Bruce Mitchell on the offensive line, Keanu Tanuvasa and Cade Uluave on defense, and Faletau Satuala in the secondary. Per the Big 12 Conference's July 6 announcement, the Cougars placed second in the league with six total players recognized, trailing only Texas Tech, which had seven selections.
Offensive Momentum
BYU's offensive success in 2025 was characterized by high-scoring efficiency, averaging 31.4 points per game. The team ranked in the top 25 across 10 different offensive statistics, including 9th in time of possession and 12th in rushing first downs. Sophomore quarterback Bear Bachmeier enters the 2026 season following a 2025 campaign where he earned Big 12 Freshman of the Year honors and was a semifinalist for the Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award.
Historical Success
The program is building on a period of significant growth and success. BYU's 2025 season marked the team's fifth time reaching the 12-win milestone, the first time since 2001. The Cougars' recent two-year run from 2024 to 2025, totaling 23 wins, is one of the most successful stretches in program history, matched only by the 1983-84 and 1984-85 squads that participated in the 1984 national championship era.
Looking Toward 2026
Looking ahead, the Cougars aim to replicate the momentum from their recent bowl victories, including a win over Georgia Tech of the ACC. The team's ability to win games against ranked opponents has become a hallmark, including five wins against teams with nine or more wins during the 2025 season—a program record. As the 2026 season approaches, the combination of returning All-Conference talent and a high-powered offense positions BYU as a significant contender in the Big 12.
