The Road to Maturity
The Cougars enter the 2026 campaign with a core group of returning starters, each at a different stage of maturation. While the offense and defense retain experienced pieces, the staff’s focus is on turning early flashes into reliable production.
Bodie Schoonover, now in his final year of eligibility, emerged as a starter in 2025 and posted the third‑best PFF grade among defensive linemen. He recorded his first career sack against Iowa State and added three more in the second half, while also delivering 21 run stops. Despite an 8.1 % pressure rate that placed him behind several other BYU ends, his run‑stopping ability remains a cornerstone of the line.
Bear Bachmeier, who broke onto the scene as a true freshman, showed versatility but struggled with turnover‑worthy plays, ranking 102nd nationally in that metric. His deep‑ball accuracy sits at the 80th percentile, a figure that must improve if he is to handle more complex passing situations in the upcoming season.
Jojo Phillips overcame an early injury that limited him to three drops, returning in the bowl game with four catches for 53 yards. Coaches see him as a potential primary target for Bachmeier, but he must rebuild confidence and tighten contested‑catch efficiency to live up to that role.
Keanu Tanuvasa generated 6 quarterback pressures in the first two games and finished the year with 14 pressures over the final 12 contests. His trajectory points to a breakout season if he can translate those flashes into consistent pass‑rush production.
The collective development of these players will shape BYU’s ability to tighten defense and diversify offensive options. If the starters can elevate their performance, the Cougars stand to make a noticeable leap in competitiveness as they aim for a stronger 2026 showing.