BYU tops off signing day with 17 additions, most of whom are already on campus

PROVO — Signing day has become a lot of things for a lot of schools, with most FBS programs inking incoming freshmen to a national letter of intent during December's early signing period.

Coming off one of its best seasons in program history, BYU was no different. The Cougars signed 21 high school seniors before a 25-21 win over Georgia Tech in the Pop-Tarts Bowl, then went to convincing the bulk of the roster to "run it back" for another try at a Big 12 championship next fall.

So what do the numbers, which have shifted a bit in recent years as programs have shifted attention towards the seemingly endless wave of transfer portal drama, say about BYU's recruiting class?

It's very good.

The early signing class of mostly high school seniors in December recorded an 89.00 composite average, ranking No. 21 nationally by 247Sports. Add nine transfers and eight midyear newcomers (mostly from missions for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints), and that number increases to an 87.22 composite average — or No. 15 nationally.

"On paper, the best recruiting class in BYU football history," new defensive coordinator Kelly Poppinga said. "Both offensively and defensively, even some special teams things that we did, I'm really excited about where we are."

The Cougars returned every full-time starter from the bowl game that was eligible to return, including Big 12 offensive player of the year LJ Martin at running back and rising sophomore quarterback Bear Bachmeier.

They also replaced several departing standouts, such as Walker Lyons (USC) at tight end, Cade Uluave (Cal) at linebacker and Kyler Kasper (Oregon) at wide receiver, to name a few.

"(Uluave) is a very instinctive football player. He can do everything," Poppinga said. "I think he's just the type of backer that we want, a very versatile type of guy who can do a lot of things."

Most of them are already on campus, too. Head coach Kalani Sitake noted all but one member of the 2026 roster have arrived on campus in time for spring football next month.

Key returning missionaries include former Corner Canyon linebacker Owen Borg, East High tight end Matthew Frederick and American Fork receiver Jett Nelson.

"With all that momentum and the dynamic of our team, I feel really good with where we're at," Sitake said.

In addition to Bachmeier, the Cougars added to the quarterback room with former Arizona prep quarterback Enoch Watson. The 6-foot-3, 202-pound dual-threat signal caller was coached by former BYU quarterbacks Ty Detmer and Max Hall at American Leadership Academy in Queen Creek, Arizona, where he threw for 2,581 yards and 29 touchdowns as a senior and ran for 356 yards and eight scores.

Watson returned from a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Chile in October, and made it to Utah with his dad in time for the rivalry game Oct. 18. He then spent most of the fall semester around the program, working out on his own before the Cougars added him to the roster ahead of the bowl game.

"We're super excited about Enoch," offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick said. "I think he got six bowl practices or so with us, so we've had him in pads and watched him play. He looks very good; very talented guy, strong arm, with a lot of athletic ability and great size.

"I like what I see out of him so far in the weight room," he added, "and what we've seen a little bit of him on the field so far."

Watson will join the quarterback room alongside returning backup Treyson Bourguet, following departures of McCae Hillstead (Utah State) and Emerson Geilman (mission). He's the second new quarterback signed by BYU in the offseason, joining ESPN top-35 recruit Ryder Lyons — one of the highest-rated recruits in BYU history who has left on a church mission in Orlando, Florida.

Already on campus is running back Devaughn Eka, the former Lehi standout who ran for 3,276 yards in his prep career with the Pioneers.

The 5-foot-11 tailback has already impressed BYU's offensive staff since arriving on campus in January, and Roderick wasn't shy in admitting Eka could see immediate playing time behind Martin, Sione Moa and bowl-game breakout Jovesa Damuni.

"I never want to put too much on a freshman. But if there's a position where our freshmen can play on offense, it's running back," Roderick said. "We'll see how he does. But I would not be surprised at all if he plays this year. He's a very talented kid, and we're super excited about him."

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