The Big 12 Conference unveiled its 2026 preseason all‑conference team this week, a list compiled by media representatives across the league's 12 institutions. The selections highlight the expectations for the upcoming season, with 29 athletes named from across the conference.
BYU secured the second‑most spots on the squad, with six players earning the nod, trailing only Texas Tech, which placed seven athletes on the list. The Cougars' representation reflects a blend of experience and emerging talent heading into the fall.
Player Spotlights
Leading the group is senior running back LJ Martin, who was tabbed as the Big 12 Preseason Offensive Player of the Year. Hailing from El Paso, Texas, Martin capped his 2025 campaign with 1,305 rushing yards and earned the same offensive player of the year honor in the conference.
Joining Martin on the offensive side of the ball is senior center Bruce Mitchell, a Rimington Trophy candidate from Kamas, Utah. Mitchell's consistency in the trenches has made him a cornerstone of the Cougars' line.
Defensively, senior cornerback Evan Johnson from Monterey, California, returns after posting 47 tackles and five interceptions last season, underscoring his role as a playmaker in the secondary.
Junior safety Faletau Satuala, a Bountiful, Utah native, paced the team with 84 total tackles in 2025, a figure that placed him among the top tacklers in the league.
Senior defensive lineman Keanu Tanuvasa, originally from Mission Viejo, California, earned All‑Big 12 Honorable Mention honors in 2025, a testament to his disruptive presence along the defensive front.
Finally, senior linebacker Cade Uluave, a South Jordan, Utah product, has been invited to the 2026 Lott IMPACT Trophy watch list, reflecting his all‑around impact on the field.
The Cougars open the 2026 season on September 5 against Utah Tech, with the matchup slated for a 6 p.m. MDT broadcast on ESPN+. The game will serve as the first test of the newly announced preseason roster.