On how Kalani is keeping the team from being complacent
“The key is to keep focusing on what we can accomplish, finding ways to improve and looking at the opportunities to find a way to get these guys to play their best 12 times. We need to be aggressive in the way we train, the season will be physical but all of that is necessary and I’m excited to be their coach.”
On how to build trust and chemistry with players, especially with new players
“I think for me it's to not mess it up and I think even as a leader sometimes they don't really need me watching everything they do. I give them autonomy and the opportunity to make decisions in the program. My job is to serve them as a head coach and to allow them to perform at their best which means I have to put in a lot of work and it usually doesn't mean I have to interact with them all the time but when I do interact with them I need to make it memorable and not a waste of their time.”
On how have you seen LJ develop from the first time you coached him to now
“I wish I could take credit for LJ, he comes from an amazing mother and father so his parents have been great and have done a great job teaching him. I just try to make sure he stays on the path that his parents set for him which is aligned with what we do at BYU football. If there is ever any question I may have I would just go to the parents who did an amazing job raising him. That's with all our young men that come from amazing families and backgrounds so I’m just trying to make sure I don’t mess it up and keep the momentum going and provide them with the direction their parents would want me to. Sometimes that is some correction but with LJ it doesn’t have to be, he’s been bought into everything we’ve asked him to do.”
On what's the biggest point of emphasis this offseason to make sure this team continues to improve rather than become comfortable
“I think the goal for us was to always stay humble, stay hungry and our culture is built on love and learn which means those are the things you have to be working on and you can't just sit there and rest on what you've accomplished. Complacency has never been part of the equation so the goal for us is to find ways to get better and not just get better at football but how we can improve in everything in our life.”
His view of the 24 team model for the CFP
“I don't make all the decisions when it comes down to how many teams get into the playoffs, I'm not in the business of campaigning for that either. We just have to go to our job and play our best and see what happens. I understand how difficult it can be for a committee to select teams, there are gonna be teams that are left on the outside. My approach is to stay humble and hungry and work hard and find ways to be better. I’m not going to campaign for that but I can say if you ask me the system and how many teams you want to be available, 24 makes the most sense where everybody can feel comfortable being in a playoff. The FCS has been doing it for a while and other divisions of football have been doing it but I’m not the decision maker on that stuff. All I can deal with is what we have right now and focus on that and be positive and optimistic about it.”
On what it’s like being in a league with a lot of talent
“To be up here with all these coaches, they are all my friends which makes it harder to play against them when they are all good people so you combine great leadership with great talent which makes it even more difficult. That is what makes it exciting, everyone has a shot, that is why there is so much parity in this league, looking at the champions the last 6 champions have been different teams. They haven't had a back to back team do it but if there is anyone who can do it it's probably Texas Tech. You have all these great leaders with great cultures and they have a system of how to put things to work but also I love the friendship we have with each other. We were together a couple months ago and got to spend time with them, it just makes it even harder that they are really great people.”
On bringing so many players back
“It’s a good start but there is still a lot of work to be done. I really am excited to see the progress that Bear’s made throughout the year and to see how far he’s come. What he’s doing in the offseason right now has been really impressive. But that’s with all of his teammates. The guys have been doing such a great job and I’m just trying to not mess it up. These guys have a great work ethic and we’re trying to give them an environment where they feel they have autonomy and that this is their team.”
On Kelly Poppinga
“I knew he was going to be special long ago, even before he came on the staff. The reputation that he created for himself as a coach and in recruiting as an assistant has been really impressive. Guys like Fred Warner, Sione TakiTaki and Harvi Langi were singing the praises of Kelly Poppinga. Especially Fred, Fred really loved him, so I took note of it.”
On the help from Gary Anderson on the defense
“His impact has been so good for our program. He knows the front really well. He’s been a coordinator, a defensive line coach and a head coach so there’s been some really cool lessons that he’s learned and I get to benefit from. It was really fortunate for me to keep him here because everyone wanted him, including Michigan and other places. For him to want to be here, with these young men and me is a huge honor. I am definitely one to admit that I don’t have all the answers for myself but I have some really good people around me.”
On the goals for this season
“There’s the given goals. Everyone knows everyone wants to be champions. You’re not a competitor if you aren’t trying to get that done. But our focus needs to be on how we get that done. Just saying you want to be a champion doesn’t make it happen. It’s about what you are willing to do in the offseason when no one is watching. By the time you get to the season much of the work has been done already…I’m not fixated on ‘Do or Die’ with the Championship. My job is simple: get these guys to play 12 times at their best…if we do that right we should earn more time to play. And we did enough of that last year but we can do better.”
On what factored into your decisions to stay at BYU
“The main thing is that it feels great to be wanted by a lot of different places and be contacted by a number of places but I am BYU through and through. I grew up BYU, I cheered for BYU I don't ever remember starting, just always did and people in my neighborhood in Hawaii were playing for BYU at the time. Then I got to play for a legend, Lavell Edwards, then got into a coaching career and got a chance to go back and be the head coach. When it's all said and done I've always been a BYU fan from the beginning, before I was a head coach and before I was a player for a legend. I think the fan in me, once the fans reached out and showed their love and appreciation, I think it was really hard to not appreciate that. I probably took it for granted a little bit, so it's nice to go through that moment of humility and be thankful for that opportunity and really be happy for what I have and grateful for the position I'm in right now.”
On how you felt coming out of spring practices
“I feel like we have a good chance, obviously there are some areas that need a lot of work before now and the first game. What I like about this young team is that they are very coachable and they take it and run with it, all I have to do is not get in the way and not mess it up. I feel like as long as I give them the autonomy, I wish I could take credit for all that but it’s what Lavell did for me as a player. You see a lot of that present in college football with Kyle Whittingham being a former BYU player and Steve Sarkisian being a former BYU player and even Andy Reid. The influence of Lavell Edwards is everywhere and it would be foolish of me to meddle in it and mess it up. I'm just going to try and keep this train rolling and put a lot of autonomy and power on the players.”
On the growth he’s seen in Keanu Tanuvasa
“He’s always had great leadership qualities. Now that he’s a husband, I think he’s realized that there is way more to life than football. It’s interesting — I think you get the most out of a football player by letting them relish in other roles they have in their life. If they prioritize all of these roles, I think they get the most out of all of them.”
On the consistency of the roster
“When it all comes down to it, it is a huge compliment to the fans. Before we were even in this conference, they’ve been big time from the beginning. The amount of love they give us matters more than people might think. It doesn’t make it easy to walk away from. It kind of puts you in check, I feel bad that I even thought about leaving.”
On how close he was to taking the Penn State job
“The main thing was me wanting to see if BYU wanted to make football a priority or not. I needed to see it and not just think about it. I owe it to the players, and I owe it to the fans, too. I just needed them to put the resources in for me to retain my players and staff. There needed to be a plan, and it needed to be different from what we were doing.”
On Bear Bachmeier going into this season
“I’ve seen a lot from him. I’m really grateful that we have a great offensive coordinator in Aaron Roderick. I don’t think he gets enough credit for what he does in mentoring Bear. We saw how good he was in spring, and I think it will pay off this fall. I just don’t want him to think he has to do it all on his own. He can rely on all three phases.”
On his relationship with Morgan Scalley
“Scalley and I are great friends. We’ve been through a lot of bad times and a lot of great times together, and I’m happy for him to be the head coach. I’m excited for Jay Hill to go be with Kyle at Michigan. All of these guys getting their opportunities is pretty cool. I have a love for Utah that I want my players to understand. It doesn’t matter if they get it or not, but I want them to know where I’m coming from. It’s going to be a cool moment this fall.”
On returners this next season
“I’m excited, we’ve got a lot of guys coming back, and a lot of new guys with a lot of talent just getting all meshed and I think we can be really dangerous this year.”
On football as a family affair
“Every day I just remember competing with my brother in hallway football, front yard basketball, chess or board games, we were always competitive even things like who could read a book the fastest. I always want to win and beat my older brothers so I’ll never let my little brothers beat me.”
On playing the guitar at retirement homes
“Tiger and I, we like to entertain, so to give the elderly at the retirement homes an hour or so of entertainment, it kind of just makes your day to see them smile.”
On giving back to the community
“It means a lot, I’ve realized I have a platform for not just football, but for something bigger. Being an inspiration for the youth I think it’s really cool and just another reason to just keep going.”
On representing Thai culture
“American football isn't that big in Southeast Asia, but it's growing with flag football. I've had DMs from Thai kids reaching out and saying thanks for representing us. There's not a lot of Asian representation in a lot of sports, let alone football so I knew I could represent something bigger.”
On his future legacy
“I want to be known as a good person and a good football player as well, but I always ask myself, who are you if you're not a good person?"
On his points of emphasis going into this next season
“I'm always trying to refine my mechanics, and nowadays you have to be able to make every throw from every position, so I’m trying to have a better pocket presence and be more delivered with my progression.”
On returning for his second season
“You try and step into that bigger “leadership role”, but I still have the same process and tenacity coming in.”
On the first year at BYU after Stanford
“It was a crazy roller coaster. I think everything happens for a reason and I’m just so grateful to play at BYU and represent such a great university.”
On raised expectations for his second year
“There is a higher expectation, but at the end of the day we just want to win games.”
On the new receiving crew
“We have a lot of great guys that are working hard. They’re going to be dangerous.”
On finding Tiger Bachmeier in the end zone
“I’m waiting for it, everyone’s waiting for it. We’re going to get it this year.”
On how Kalani Sitake brings out the good in them
“It’s just him on a day-to-day basis. A story I share all the time is when I was on my visit, I was talking to Kalani and there was a week where they were playing Utah. Some assistant coaches had daughters that were playing in a volleyball tournament on Tuesday and Wednesday so they would have to miss practice. And the coaches were contemplating what to do, obviously it’s a big game against Utah, you can't miss practice. And Kalani said ‘what are you guys doing? This should be a no-brainer to go watch your daughters play.’ That just resonated with me so much because that’s what my father instilled in me and my siblings. Always make it to your siblings' games. I love playing for Kalani.”
On what he expects in the receiving room
“I’m sure someone will emerge from that group, but we’ve got a lot of depth and a great supporting cast and I think we’ll be very dangerous.”
On what it would mean to win the Big 12 Championship
“It would mean a lot. Thinking about that game it kind of stings. You flip the page but there’s a chip on your shoulder and more fuel to the fire.”
On what he wants to work on personally
“I just want to get better at being more deliberate with my progression and being more deliberate in the pocket.”
On his first Big 12 Media Day
“It’s a cool experience and I’m grateful to be here. I love being here with the guys and representing this amazing university. There’s a lot of interviews, but it’s a really cool deal.”
On the preseason recognition
“We have a lot of great guys, so it shows with the preseason accolades. We have a great defense, a great offense and a great coaching staff, so we’re excited to show off to Cougar Nation.”
On his confidence with the wide receiver room
“I’m confident in those guys. They’ve been working their tails off, and they’re going to be dangerous. Everyone’s looking really good.”
On the comparison of himself now versus a year ago
“My mentality is the same. We’re humble for the opportunity we’ve been blessed with, but we’re hungry to go get more and not be complacent. That mentality is the same, but from an external perspective, I’m stepping into a bigger leadership role. I’m more prepared and I have 10 guys around me who do their job, on top of a great defense.”
On what a successful season would look like
“We just want to have fun. I love this team and I love playing for all these guys. We know internally what we want to do, so we’re just going to go out there and have fun.”
On being named the Preseason Big 12 Offensive Athlete of the Year and the expectations that come with that
“It doesn’t mean much to me, as at this time last year, I wasn’t on any preseason teams. I’m just trying to stay focused and win as many games as possible. I’ll let the results be the results. That’s how I went into it last year, and I had a pretty good season, so I want to have that same mentality.”
On developing his craft
“I’ve been focusing on reacceleration, so when I’m out in open field, I can break away from defenders.”
On his relationship with Bear Bachmeier
“It’s definitely evolved. I went from teaching him everything to now, he knows everything. I’m just able to be friends with him now.”
On the dynamic with Bear carries
“He’s gonna keep doing his thing. He’s gonna throw the ball really well and we’re both gonna run the ball really well, so it should be pretty complementary.”
On Bear’s improvement over the offseason
“He’s a lot better at knowing what he’s looking for and making decisions.”
On BYU retaining players
“It’s the culture. Having your best friends be on your team makes it a good team to play for.
On the culture of BYU football right now
“Love and learn. We all love each other and are learning from each other, all while trying to be the best we can be.”
On how the Big 12 Championship loss has fueled them
“We are trying to be the best team we can be. If anything, it taught us that there’s another level we need to take if we want to be the best team in this conference and if we want to compete for a National Championship, we gotta take a step up. We need to go even harder this year.”
On Bear Bachmeier last year
“I was really impressed with his decision making. He didn’t put the ball in harm's way too many times and he was just really solid with smart decisions. I never really felt like he was pressing, he just let the game flow to him and he did really well.”
On why he came back to BYU
“This is the place where I started. We have a great offensive line. It was like why not come back and do it here. I just really enjoy my time here and just love being here. Growing up you always see guys finish at one place so why not cement my legacy at BYU.”
On navigating the current college athletics world
“I think a lot of us are here for the right reasons. We’re all here for a common goal, to just get better, win games and a championship. If we’re all here for the right reasons there’s no reason to leave.”
On what it’s like when everyone knows the ball is going to him
“It’s awesome. That’s what I live for, to compete. It’s the ultimate competition right there when it’s third and one or fourth and one, it's us vs. them. We gotta move people and get it… it’s the ultimate time where your team needs you and you just can’t go down. And I'm doing whatever I can to get the first down.”
On deciding to return to BYU instead of entering the draft
“Just being able to cement my legacy at BYU, as well as dealing with some offseason surgeries, it just felt like the best decision to come back, try to improve my draft stock, and play one last year with the guys.”
On how his body is feeling going into fall camp
“My body’s feeling great. I leaned up a little bit, got down to 220, and I’m feeling great—feeling fast and feeling as good as ever.”
On the Big 12 Championship game motivating them going into the season
“I think that told us the level we need to be at. Texas Tech last year was a really good team. They played really well, they had a great defense, and they had a guy drafted second overall. That’s where we’re trying to be. We saw what it takes to compete against a defense at that level, and now we’re striving to be that offense.”
On how Bear is different from the start of last season to now
“He knows what he’s doing. Last year, he was just thrown into the fire, whereas now he really understands the offense. He knows where he’s going, he knows what he’s looking for pre-snap, and it just helps him simplify the game, allowing him to make better decisions and making it easier for him all around.”
On his preparation to re-accelerate this season
“It’s a lot of change of direction, getting in and out of cuts, running, coasting for a little, and then taking off again, just like you would in a football game. So I’m just trying to simulate that so I’m able to break more runs this year and finish them in general.”
On hosting Notre Dame halfway through the season
“It’s really exciting, but it’s not going to mean anything if we lose all the games before then. We have to take it one game at a time—win the first one, win the second one, and then go on from there. Because it’s not going to mean anything if we lose the first few and then we’re playing Notre Dame at home. No one would care. It’s just about taking it one game at a time, going with it, and being ready for the next game.”
On if being the back to back Big 12 Offensive Player of the year is the goal
“It’s really cool, but at the end of the day, last year it was never a thought in my mind. I was just trying to go out there and be the best football player that I can be, and if that means being Offensive Player of the Year, then I’m okay with that. I’m just letting the results be the results, and I’m sticking to the process.”
On what it’s like to play for Coach Sitake
“He’s awesome. I felt more pressure in high school than I do in college just because I wanted to perform so well. Now, in college, it feels like games are easier than practice. I’m out there watching the video board, watching Cosmo do stunts during water breaks. It’s pretty crazy. I never thought football would be this fun at this stage. I’m out there like a kid, just enjoying the moment and everything that comes with it.”
On how this offense will be different this season
“I think the biggest difference will be our passing game. We’re going to be a lot better passing the ball this year with Bear knowing what he’s doing and understanding the offense better. Our receivers are really good, too. JoJo and Kyler are due for big years. Then we also have a couple of freshmen coming in who are looking to help us out. I think it should be a really good year. And our tight ends—we have two really good tight ends who came in, so I’m really excited for them as well."
On what he attributes the offensive line’s development to
“Coach Woods. He’s a savant in the run game and as a technician for the offensive line. I credit a lot to him. And we just have a good group of selfless guys who want what’s best for the team. A lot of guys who want to get better at their craft and want to become better offensive lineman. You put all that together, you're going to become better.”
On offensive line coach TJ Woods
“I can’t say enough good about him. He’s changed my career as a football player and as an individual I love him. He’s made me a better person and a better offensive lineman. And he’s good for the room. He understands the offensive line and what it takes to be great. He walks into the room and you’re like ‘yep that’s your offensive line coach’.”
On taking on a leadership role as a returning starter
“When you’ve got as many returners as we do, leadership is your strength. You can bring along the young guys who are developing but you just understand the offense and understand what it takes to dominate the line of scrimmage. The offseason work as well as what you need to do in season - I think when you combine all of that, we have multiple leaders on the offensive line who are making this unit better.”
On learning to be selfless under the direction of Kalani Sitake
“It’s really easy because he sets the example. I’ve never heard him take credit for anything. Hopefully we can do the same as players. It’s the greatest team sport ever. It takes 11 guys to do it and you can never take credit personally.”
On blocking for LJ Martin
“If you’ve seen how hard LJ works, you’d want to block your tail off for him too. That is a guy who wants it and wants to be great. You can see it in his offseason work and in-season work. As an offensive lineman that motivates you. This guy needs you so let's go help him achieve his goals.”
On working with a now veteran Bear Bachmeier
“It doesn’t change anything for us up front but it might change things for him. The biggest thing that stood out to me in spring ball is he is seeing things pre-snap. He’s seeing defenses, he’s seeing coverages, he’s seeing blitzes. He’s gotten better and he’s another guy who’s working his tail off. You can see he wants to do great things.”
On what makes Bear Bachmeier special
“He is tough as nails. I’ve seen him take some hits last year where you wonder if he’s going to get up and he pops up every time. He’s a really smart kid too. He was able to learn the offense quickly. And he’s a poised kid. There were a couple times where I was a little rattled out there and he was the poised one. There was kind of an “easing Bear into it” period last year. Not this year. We’re going to let it rip from week one.”
On being viewed highly as a program
“It’s good to be a part of this group. It goes back to our motto, 'Be Humble, Be Hungry'. This is the first offseason where we’ve been told that we’re going to win some games versus lose some games, which it’s good to hear that, but we just focus on the locker room.”
On what he wishes fans knew about the center position
“We have to be smart to play this position. We have to have five bodies, one mind out there, block the right people and work in tandem out there.”
On the quarterback-center connection
“Bear probably knows a lot more than me, but there’s also things that Bear doesn’t know that I do. He’s got the bulk of it, but I hold a little bit on my shoulders. He has to make a lot of reads, but I just need to call out one thing to make sure the whole O-Line is working together.”
On the importance of a quarterback-center connection
“I’ve got that with Bear. We spend a lot of time with each other during fall camp. He’s good to the entire O-Line, so it forms after you spend hours together.”
On Bear’s talent
“The cool thing about Bear is that he’s developing. I don’t know if he gets enough credit for this, but he learned the offense in a hurry. He’s really improving on the mental side and he’s getting rid of the ball faster. It’s going to be fun to see what he can do this September.”
On his thoughts on the O-Line
“It’s going to be fun. There’s a lot of guys who have played a lot of snaps together. We have great chemistry and we know how everyone communicates. We’re going to be just fine. I think we will be able to run the ball well and give Bear time.”
On the pressure on the O-Line this season
“The backfield of LJ and Bear take the pressure off. Even when we do our job mediocrely, they make up for it. There’s a lot of good chemistry with our group, so it’s going to be fun.”
On Kalani staying at BYU
“It’s great to have him back in Provo. You can tell, even with the change-up in coaching staff, us players love playing for him. Most didn’t follow the coordinators, they stayed with Kalani and we have the majority back.”
On battling the defensive front
“They make us a much better offensive line, and hopefully we’re doing the same for them.”
On the odds being in BYU’s favor
“The two offseasons leading up to this one, we were told how many games we were going to lose, but this time, we’ve been told how many games we’re going to win. We just need to focus on what we have in the locker room and worry about getting better. If we have the same mindset of ignoring it all, we will be just fine.”
On BYU Athletics succeeding as a whole
“It’s a combination of things. We have great donors, but we also have the aspect that BYU is like no other. We love BYU for BYU. That’s why donors and alumni come back. A lot of people want to stay and play for Kalani, but a lot of people also want to stay and play for BYU. It is unlike any other place in the country. The university will transform you. People are drawn to that, and that’s what has helped the process.”
On his desire to beat Utah this season
“I grew up watching the rivalry, I’ve been a BYU game my entire life, so I want to win another one.”
On his expectations for himself
“Coming into BYU last year I had a lot of expectations that were difficult to adjust to, considering I had to learn the defense, my teammates, and the culture and style. Well I feel like I’ve made it my own. It feels like my third season at Utah that I was blessed to perform so well. I’m so excited to go into this season because I’ve made it my own again.”
On Kalani Sitake’s mentality going into the game
“Kalani is a very well-spoken man. He’s calm and collected which is great because the team needs that presence. But when the time is necessary to get excited and amped, I think he is definitely able to ignite that fire right before we step out.”
On the defensive line becoming more relevant
“For us on the defensive line, I think we’ve recognized that we need to step it up a little bit. With Kelly Poppinga taking over, it’s now about letting the pass rush be between the big boys up front and adding a linebacker here and there…we’re looking forward to implementing more of that this year… we just need to mentally see it and go do it.
On the defensive lines energy headed into this season
“It’s very exciting. As a defensive lineman you want to create havoc and that’s what we want to do as a collective unit. We want to beat the guy in front of us…let’s do it getting into the backfield. Let’s do it dominating towards the quarterback and running back so we can make plays.”
On being a BYU veteran now
“I think I’m a person who builds from the foundation up. I think when I tried to shift my foundation from Utah to BYU, it didn’t hold too well. I played well, it was good and I’m proud of what I did but I know that there’s more in me. That’s what was eating me alive after games last year. People would compliment me and people would love us because we would win these games and I just didn’t feel like me. Now with my feet in the ground, I’ve stepped into the water and the sea has parted. I can see the goal, I’m moving towards it and I’m excited to play this year.”
On if he’s thinking about his potential NFL future
“A little bit. I try not to get consumed in it. I think I did that my third year at Utah and there was a little too much focus on getting to the next level. The best players know how to live in the moment and the best players know how to perform today. If I can handle one game at a time and get a sack against Utah tech and get a tackle-for-loss and blow up my gap, well then let's move on to Arizona and so forth.”
On facing Arizona in Week 2
“We’re looking forward to starting fast. That’s a huge motto going into this year. We had six comeback victories last year, that’s way too many. We’ve got to start fast. From Utah Tech and then going to Arizona and stack. As the workouts we’ve stacked from start to finish, we’re stacking games and we’re excited to play Arizona.”
On playing with Cade Uluave
“Cade is a downhill player. That man plays fast and I love it. That’s one reason I feel more comfortable shooting gaps is because I know he has his. I know he’s going to make a play. I love his downhill speed, I love the way that he plays and he wants to hit. I’m excited to see how it goes.”
On Kelly Poppinga taking over the defense
“He’s a hard working man. He’s intelligent and he has the energy. I love Coach Poppinga and I think he’s a BYU man through-and-through. Obviously there’s development to be made everywhere, but I don’t think that there’s a man more dedicated to becoming the best defensive coordinator he can. He’s not as veteran because it’s his first year, but he’s dedicated and he's committed. And that’s who we are, we are men who are committed to our craft but we aren’t professionals yet and we’re getting there. As a collective unit I’m excited."
On where he got his unique perspective
“From my upbringing, I’m just grateful for my mom and dad. They’ve blessed me with vision that supercedes the moment we’re living in. You live in the moment and you don’t worry about the future, but you have to pay attention to it and you have to prepare yourself for success. I think that came from the gospel and what’s to come and from great parents. And it comes from the baby coming soon.”
On teammates who will stand out this season
“One is my partner in crime, Justin Kirkland. That guy looks great — leaner, faster, stronger, louder. One of the things Coach Anderson said to Justin was, ‘For every pound that you lose, that’s an inch of influence that you can have on this team,’ and he lost about 20 pounds. He looks great, and he’s phenomenal. The second guy is Bodie Schoonover. He had a great game at Iowa State last year, but he’s a sleeper, and that dude has been working his tail off.”
On Justin Kirkland and himself in the middle
“We are going to have the time of our lives opening those gaps and having a guy like Cade Uluave behind us, shooting it. But overall, you might as well send Justin and me out there and leave the rest of the team. We might win the game ourselves.”
On the players on the defensive line
“Whatever you want, you name it. You want a thicker guy that can hold the run but still pass rush the QB, we’ll put Hunter Clegg out there. You want a speed demon that’s going to be able to go up and under and run some games, let’s put Tausili Akana out there. Or do you want a guy that can cover and pass rush? Then let’s put Nusi Taumoepeau out there. You name it, we’ll rotate them in. You’ve got Anisi Purcell that can play nose guard and three-technique. You’ve got Viliami Po’uha backing up Bodie Schoonover. I just don’t see gaps, and that’s what I love — I get to own my role, I get to take it every now and then, and let’s win as a unit.”
On staying fresh and explosive between rotations
“You look at guys like Myles Garrett that are in the league. He doesn’t need to play first down. Let’s put him in second and third down and get off the field. Why? Because he’s going to disrupt it. So Justin Kirkland, if we want a zero technique and two fives, well, let’s put Justin in the middle for a second. I’ll take a rest. I’ll take it and pop back in at 100% the next snap, and then put us in a four-down and rotate in Anisi, and let’s bring some of these younger guys, Kelepi Latu-Finau. The scheme is going to be magnified by the players and the development that we’ve had. I’m ecstatic and looking forward to it.”
On intriguing players on the defensive side
“I’m intrigued by Isaiah Glasker. I think he’s had a great offseason, and I think he’s bought in. Cade Uluave has been fun to play with. He reminds me of Luke Kuechly — a very downhill player, wants to put his face in it, wants to blow up the run, he’s all over the field, but he’s intelligent and he’s passionate and he’s excited. That’s one thing that I love about him: he came in and wanted to buy into the culture. He didn’t want to be hostile to it; he didn’t want to be slow to fall in love with it. Raider Damuni has been amazing, Therrian Alexander III and Evan Johnson. I can’t look at a position and think, ‘I want to talk about this guy,’ because I could talk about them all. It’s exciting looking at how it’s going to be going into this year. And as we do it as a unit, it’ll be critical to our success.”
On the transition from Jay Hill’s defense to Kelly Poppinga’s defense
“I think it’s about the same. I think that it takes some learning because obviously Coach Poppinga is in his first year, and he’s becoming more veteran as the days go by. I think he’s got the best coach to do it with, Coach Anderson. I think he is right by his side, so them doing it together is huge. I love that not only is he a hard-working, dedicated coach, but he wants to do it with his captains. He realizes he has leadership who will tell him what he’s doing wrong and what he can do better. Let’s go climb and do this thing together.”
On the focus coming into fall camp
“Let’s put a weighted vest on, and let’s start moving with pads. We don’t have pads, we don’t have helmets on yet, so let’s start moving with that. It’s a hard transition that people don’t realize — you train all offseason with no pads on. I’m sprinting, I’m changing direction, but you throw pads on, it takes some time to get used to. I want to be fluid by the time I step on with real gear.”
On Kalani Sitake’s approach to coming back after back-to-back top-25 finishes
“Kalani has magnified his calling as the BYU football head coach. I think he’s found his rhythm. I think he’s been a great coach, but he’s stacked the days. He’s done the small and simple things great. I’ve absolutely loved seeing his growth from when he recruited me in high school to who he is now, from his development from when I played him in 2024 as a Ute to now as my 2026 head coach. I think he’s just developed even more, and he’s doubled down on the basics and the fundamentals of his life.”
On this era of BYU football history
“I think that’s a dedication to Kalani Sitake’s legacy, his commitment, and the guys that he’s brought on. He brought on Jay Hill. He’s brought on Skyler Mayne, our trainer, the phenomenal strength staff, and all those guys behind the scenes, but they’ve created this legacy that’s allowing this era to become one of the best in BYU football history. And it’s amazing for us to be a part of. The more that we buy into that, that’s where our success comes from.”
On how his performance and body feel now compared to before BYU
“I feel phenomenal. It’s been amazing to see the numbers jump. Power clean up by 50 pounds, squat up by 50 to 75 pounds, bench up by 30 pounds. You want to look at statistics, speed, change of direction, and body composition — it’s there. And then health: I played 13 games last year and was blessed to not have any injuries, and I’m hoping to do the same trending forward. It’s such a tribute to Kalani bringing in those amazing guys.”
On advice for recruits deciding to come to BYU
“First and foremost, it’s how much do you care about your relationship with the Lord? Because that’s number one. The Savior is number one at BYU. I can’t go around it because it’s just the truth. A lot of guys that play football are heavily impacted by the Savior and are Christian-based. Second, do you want to become the best version of yourself in all facets of life, not just a great football player? Like education, family relationships, becoming the best hard worker that you can. Do you want to magnify them both on and off the field? Third, do you want to make a difference? This is a platform and a means by which you can impact people across the world. That’s what BYU does. You can make a difference. Lastly, this is the place that you can go to become a professional player. They give you the means by which you can do it, and they put it in your hands. You choose how far you want to go. And I love that — you’re not forced to do it; you’re given the opportunity and agency, and that’s the difference that I’m seeing in today’s time. They have more than I ever had, so it’s your decision, and you have to develop this level of agency to be committed to it now. Otherwise, you’re going to lose opportunities.”
On the secondary becoming a strength at BYU
“It’s been something really cool to see…now we’re known for developing. We develop and build defensive backs and that’s super cool. I also have a testimony of the players. We all care, we all want to be great and you see that in the secondary now. It’s shown in our success.”
On if he was ever tempted to enter the transfer portal
“That’s not my deal. I always knew this is where I want to be. My family bleeds blue now. My brother is on the staff, my parents try to go to every BYU event there is. My family loves BYU, I love BYU, and I knew this was the place I wanted to play at.”
On his game-winning interception in the Pop-Tarts Bowl
“It doesn’t even feel real. Those are things that you watch in High School Musical and they hit a buzzer beater and you really dream of doing. And I really did dream of those moments. Being able to go out there and make plays, it just feels so surreal. When I think back on that moment I don’t remember it because it seems like such a blur. It’s super cool to see it happen. I think it’s a testimony of my hard work and how much dedication I've put into my craft.”
On the team’s goals this year
“Obviously we want to win a Big 12 Championship. We kind of got our feet wet, so now it’s ‘what do we have to do to get to the next level.’ I think what we have to do is just those small and simple things. Those small and simple things are going to be what makes us really great and Big 12 Champions… Those small, simple details are what separates you from a Big 12 Championship and going home from that field.”
On being a veteran this season
“It’s crazy that I’m going into year five. I’m excited to take on more of a leadership role and try to bring the younger guys along with me. I know what to expect and what is expected of our defense, so it’s weird to take that role, but it’s been a good experience for me.”
On the five-year arc
“There are no words for my first two years–I was so bad. I felt like as I learned my technique and what worked for me, I’ve seen a huge jump in myself. When I got good at football, I really started to care about everything else more.”
On preseason accolades potentially adding pressure
“I don’t see it as pressure. At the end of the day, we’re playing football, so whether I get recognition or not, I’m still going to go out there and do what I love. I was telling my mom ‘I know this year for me is make or break, but it doesn’t scare me, because I’ve been preparing how I need to prepare.’”
On the corner room
“We have great depth. Anyone could go out and play while feeling comfortable. It’s cool to see that the younger guys really want it and care, and it just shows that our program will be good for a long time.”
On working with a new coach
“Coach Walker and Coach Warren came in and we’ve added some new things that have helped our defense be new and fresh. I saw that in the spring and I’m seeing that right now.”
On defense keeping up with a coaching change
“Our defense is very comfortable with each other, so it is easy to trust Coach Poppinga. Even if he were to make a bad call, we will make up for that. It was the same with Coach Hill. He has the confidence coming from special teams. It’s easy to trust in him because we know he believes in us.”
On what would make this a successful season
“We just want to have fun and enjoy the game. At the end of the day, we play to have fun and do what we love. When that last buzzer rings, if I know that I went out there and gave it everything I had, I know that will have been a successful season.”
On the defensive changes
“Poppinga is a linebacker guy. Having him and Kalani has been great and they allow us to play free. Im super excited to see what Poppinga brings.
On new linebackers filling the role of Jack Kelly
“I’m gonna miss Jack Kelly. But we just got this transfer from Cal, Cade Uluave and he’s looking like a stud. I’m super excited to play with him. Then you got Siale Esera, Ace Kafusi and these other guys that I think could make some noise too.”
On his last year at the college level
“I feel like every year we get one step closer. The year before 11-2, barely missed the playoffs. This past year, 12 wins, barely missed the playoffs. I feel like this year if we can take one more step closer we can get there.”
On the focus being more on the defense this season
“We don’t take that into part. We’re more focused on what we can do as a team. We aren’t too worried about what everyone else is doing. As long as we can figure out and do the things we need to do, we can make big things happen.”
On the offense
“I think the offense is going to be great. We got LJ coming back, Bear’s going into his second year so he’s more experienced. Our receiver room is great. I got my little cousin (Legend Glasker), he’s looking really good.”
On the student-athletes present at media days (Bear Bachmeier, Evan Johnson, Isaiah Glasker, LJ Martin, Bruce Mitchell and Keanu Tanuvasa)
“All of those guys, being with them last night, the energy, the connected nature of them and the way they represent. And they’re stinking dang good football players. These dudes can play football. They’re the best dudes on planet earth, but if you’re just the best dudes on planet earth and you can’t play you don’t have a story to tell…Our whole goal is to go play great football, but there is a bigger purpose. We have to continue to prepare these guys to go fly. Those six guys that are here are going to go change the world. They are incredible humans. And man can they play football. I’m so excited to watch them play.”
On the coaching staff
“That’s what I love about Kalani (Sitake) and Aaron Roderick and Kelly Poppinga. The amount of talent that’s in the program. The elevation of the program. The national relevance knocking on the door of the College Football Playoff. And then we get to tell the stories of these guys, that’s what gets me excited. And if we’re not good, nobody cares. We have to be good. And we are great. Kalani (Sitake) has elevated that program where we are nationally relevant and have a story to tell. It gets me fired up.”
On Bear Bachmeier
“Bear is a very unique leader. He has a very interesting way about him and he’s handling this in an extraordinary way. He’s just Bear. We’re in our executive meeting the other day talking about all things college sports and in walks Bear with his guitar. Shorts, T-shirt and flip flops. Sits down and starts playing and singing to us. He just has a humility about him and a quiet confidence that allows him to elevate as QB1. That leadership you have when you’re QB1, those guys in front of you and behind you, they want to migrate to someone who has that quiet confidence that is going to make everyone better. And that’s what I think Bear does. He’s got a presence about him that’s different and unique.”
ESPN's Louis Riddick
“Kalani Sitake has a team that is very veteran laden. He has some great players especially on the offensive side with Bear Bachmeier. At the running back position, they have an absolute stud.”
On his Top 5 football teams for the 2026 season
“Considering what Texas Tech has brought in, what they bring back, the strength of their roster, you do have to start with them at number one, but BYU is right on their heels. With the number of starts coming back, the number of guys they have on the roster coming back being the best in the conference, Kalani Sitake is going to field a very competitive team.”
ESPN's Dusty Dvoracek
“Texas Tech and BYU headline the Big 12. 23 wins over the past years for Kalani Sitake. They are loaded coming back. I can’t wait to see what that looks like.”
On who he’s looking forward to seeing on the defensive side of the ball
“Isaiah Glasker. Edge player, long, 6-foot-5, rangy linebacker, can blitz off the edge, really good in pass coverage. There’s a reason Texas Tech and BYU are at the top of this league right now because they are chock-full of a lot of NFL talent. Defensively, both of those teams have a lot of players that are going to be getting ready to hear their names called at next year’s NFL draft.”
On his Top 5 football teams for the 2026 season
“This was tough. It was hard for me to go one, two. I do have Tech and BYU, but I’ll tell you what. That is a razor-thin margin for me. There’s so much talent in Tech and I like Tech’s schedule but to me that’s a coin flip.”
On the Big 12’s coaches
“The quality of coaching in this league is top notch. Just sit and talk to some of these guys. Kalani Sitake: a guy who is so calm and cool and collected, BYU through and through. There are big time people throughout this conference with big time players, big time vision.”