The year before BYU entered the Big 12, head coach Kalani Sitake took four of the Cougars’ top prospects out for a boat ride at Deer Lake.
On the water with jet skis in tow, Sitake pulled out all the stops to make BYU’s pitch resonate. Realistically, he knew signing even one or two would make a splash.
And that is exactly what Sitake got. BYU signed four-star tight end Jackson Bowers and four-star lineman Ethan Thomason. The others, four-stars Walker Lyons and Hunter Clegg, went elsewhere.
At the time, it was cause for celebration. A infant Power Four program gradually throwing its weight around on the recruiting trail.
But nearly four years later, this transfer portal cycle shows just how much Sitake’s program has grown.
All four of those players, once recruiting long shots, have now signed with the Cougars. Clegg, who originally committed to Utah, transferred to BYU and just signed a lucrative contract to stay in Provo rather than go to Michigan. Lyons left USC to play for Sitake — assuming the starting tight end position.
Ironically, out of that recruiting weekend, the only player not currently on the team is one who originally committed to BYU. Bowers played a few seasons in Provo and eventually dropped down to play at Oregon State.
The point still stands. Sitake doesn’t need boat rides or jet skis to recruit anymore. He has money and a track record.
His Cougars are 23-4 in the last two seasons, ranked inside the top 10 and just made the Big 12 title game. BYU has dominated its own backyard, beating Utah three times in a row. Sitake no longer has to convince recruits of the future. He just shows the present.
And he also has the resources to back it up. As part of his long-term contract extension, Sitake has more money for his players and staff.
Look no further than the last three weeks. Even as defensive coordinator Jay Hill left for Michigan, Hill was unable to pry away any of BYU’s best players to a Big Ten powerhouse.
All of the Cougars’ stars — Faleatau Satuala, Isaiah Glasker and Tre Alexander to name a few— stayed in Provo thanks to comparable offer sheets.
Even as other programs were pillaged for talent, BYU didn’t lose a single starter to the transfer portal. It re-signed everyone, including quarterback Bear Bachmeier and Big 12 player of the year LJ Martin.
Not to mention, it added the top linebacker in the transfer portal from Cal.
Nobody will argue there isn’t still room to grow. BYU is chasing Texas Tech, a big-money behemoth in west Texas that shows no signs of slowing down. The Red Raiders just signed the top quarterback in the transfer portal, Brendan Sorsby, and will add plenty more talent to their 2026 roster. BYU needs to close that gap.
But take a minute to look at what Sitake’s done in this transfer portal class.
They used to cheer for a couple of four-star prospects. It’s a different game in Provo now.
Chasing a top seed
(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) BYU Cougars forward AJ Dybantsa (3) moves the ball as Utah hosts BYU, NCAA basketball in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026.
BYU men’s basketball coach Kevin Young’s group split a pair of games this week to beat TCU and lose to Texas Tech on the road.
Even if BYU only beat the Horned Frogs by six, winning shouldn’t be scoffed at. Just look around college basketball for evidence that winning is difficult. No. 2 Iowa State lost twice this week. No. 10 Vanderbilt fell on its home floor. Top 20 teams North Carolina and Arkansas lost too. Plus, No. 3 UConn and No. 5 Purdue just squeaked by their opponents.
But here is the other reality for the Cougars. At 16-2 and ranked No. 11, BYU is pushing for a top-three seed and it still doesn’t have a signature, top-end win to push it over the top.
So while beating TCU is good, a loss to No. 15 Texas Tech feels like BYU let one slip away. BYU had a nine-point lead with under 10 minutes to play before the Red Raiders scored 32 points to close out the game and win by double digits.
BYU had the chance to beat a top-15 team on the road. Those are the type of wins that solidify a resume for March. Instead, it just has a strong collection of solid wins at the moment.
More chances will come, including Arizona and Houston in the coming weeks.