A crucial battle for the Cougars' special teams
The Cougars will open fall practice in the first week of August 2026, and the spotlight will fall on the kicking game as the team looks to solidify a key component of its offense.
Matthias Dunn, a senior kicker from Heber City, Utah, and a graduate of Wasatch High School, is expected to inherit the primary place‑kicking responsibilities after Will Ferrin's successful tenure.
The new coaching perspective
Will Ferrin capped his BYU career with a game‑winning field goal in 2024, converting 24 of 27 attempts and consistently pinning opponents deep on kickoffs.
Coach Justin Ena, who arrived as the new special teams coordinator, has said the competition will remain open through the middle of the camp, giving Dunn a chance to prove himself while freshman Ian Sanches pushes for the role.
Given Dunn's experience within the program, he is viewed as the favorite, but the battle will ultimately shape the team's field‑position strategy for the 2026 season.
With kicking identified as a pivotal factor, the Cougars hope the outcome will give them an edge as they prepare for the upcoming campaign.