PROVO — BYU's recruiting efforts are paying off for the class of 2026 are beginning to pay off.
The Cougars' 2026 class includes 21 verbal commits from the senior class of 2026, led by 247Sports five-star quarterback Ryder Lyons and four-star tight ends Brock Harris and Ty Goettsche and four-star offensive lineman Bott Mulitalo.
Add it up, the group currently ranks No. 19 nationally by 247Sports.
A big chunk of those commitments came from an official visit the week of June 19-20, when offensive lineman Jax Tanner said more than two dozen prospects were on campus with coaches, parents and family members.
Tanner, a four-star interior lineman by the 247Sports Composite, committed to BYU over offers from Boise State, Tennessee, Oregon and Michigan, among others. But the 6-foot-4, 275-pound Gatorade Idaho player of the year said the connection among the group — many of which like Tanner will serve missions before enrolling at BYU — was nearly instantaneous.
"Most of the time, when you start hanging out with new people, it takes a minute to mesh," said Tanner, who recorded 115 pancake blocks and zero sacks allowed during a 10-1 junior season at Rocky Mountain High in Meridien, Idaho. "But from the get-go, we all kind of bonded. Not even the offensive guys, but the defensive guys; PJ Takitaki and I are boys.
"I believe we have a chance to do something really cool and special at BYU."
Tanner also credits offensive line coach TJ Woods, the Cougars' second-year line coach and run game coordinator, as being crucial in the recruitment of him and others.
"Coach Woods was one of the biggest motivating factors for me to come to BYU," said Tanner, the son of former BYU linebacker Mike Tanner whose brother Gage will enroll at BYU this fall after his mission. "Coach Woods and coach Sitake really kind of did it, from my spring visit to my official visit, as well as getting able to spend time with the dudes I'll be playing with is what did it for me."
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