BYU Cougars Recruiting Gets Boost from Walking the Walk

BYU Cougars are striking the right chords in college recruiting, with Kalani Sitake's program winning and competing at the highest level.

The Cougars are a combined 23-4 over the last two seasons and are expected to contend for the Big 12 championship again this fall.

What's behind the recruiting success?

Former BYU star Bronson Kaufusi says it's the program's unique mixture of winning, competing, and having fun that attracts top athletes.

Kaufusi told the "Y's Guys" livestream show that players are seeing the coaches' actions and buying into the program's family atmosphere.

How are the Cougars competing with traditional powers?

Sitake has beaten traditional powers for athletes that historically have looked elsewhere, including Jaxon Rex, Kamoni Adams, and Ryan Wooten.

These recruits chose BYU over top programs like UCLA, Tennessee, and Florida State.

What's the impact of current players on recruiting?

Kaufusi says current players sharing their experiences with recruits is a powerful factor in the program's recruiting success.

These conversations happen during recruiting visits and casual interactions around BYU, giving recruits a genuine sense of the program's culture.

The Cougars' next game is vs Utah Tech Trailblazers on 2026-09-06.

What's next for the Cougars?

With their strong recruiting class and experienced coaches, the Cougars are poised to make a deep run in the Big 12 championship.

Kalani Sitake's program is building momentum, and fans are excited to see what the future holds.

Bronson Kaufusi is also hosting the "Charity of Champions" flag football tournament, which features over 40 current or former NFL players.