Cougar Tracks - Daily BYU Cougars Football, Basketball Podcast

Spring football is in the rearview mirror for BYU football. Coming up will be summer conditioning, followed by Fall Camp.

To get a sense of who the top players are in the program right now, KSL Sports BYU Insider Mitch Harper shared his post-spring depth chart projection for the 2026 season.

Harper broke down the offense, defense, and special teams units coming out of spring practices.

Mitch also discussed the Big 12 Conference moving Saturday games to weeknights. BYU football's game against Iowa State was moved to a Friday night.

Then, finally, the latest in basketball transfer portal talk as former BYU player Xavion Staton finds a new landing spot. And all eyes on the decision from Collin Chandler.

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Cougar Tracks is on YouTube and X every weekday at Noon (MT), and KSL NewsRadio at 6:30 p.m. (MT).

The transfer portal isn't slowing down for anyone. BYU basketball has six players in the portal as of Thursday, with Kennard Davis Jr., Tyler Mrus, and JUCO transfer KJ Perry the latest entries.

KSL Sports BYU Insider Mitch Harper breaks down the entries.

He also goes into the discussion around Kentucky combo guard Collin Chandler. Will BYU land the former Farmington High star, who was once a BYU commit in high school? 

Also, in this episode of the podcast, Mitch is joined by BYU Sports Network studio host/play-by-play voice Matt Baiamonte. Mitch and Matt were co-hosts of KSL NewsRadio's Cougar Sports Saturday and Cougar Nation from 2019 to 2025.

They get into the basketball portal activity. Matt gives his thoughts on Rob Wright III entering the portal. What BYU needs to add out of the portal.

Also, they get into BYU football talk as spring practices wrapped up in Provo last week.

Then they close out the conversation with an update on BYU baseball. Matt has called a lot of games for Trent Pratt's squad. He shares what the trajectory of the program is looking like right now.

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Cougar Tracks is on YouTube and X every weekday at Noon (MT), and KSL NewsRadio at 6:30 p.m. (MT).

BYU basketball guard Rob Wright III and forward Dominique Diomande entered the NCAA Transfer Portal.

What's next for BYU basketball in building up the roster for the 2026-27 season?

KSL Sports BYU Insider Mitch Harper broke it down in the latest episode of the Cougar Tracks Podcast. Also, exploring players BYU could target in the Transfer Portal from the guard line.

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Cougar Tracks is on YouTube and X every weekday at Noon (MT), and KSL NewsRadio at 6:30 p.m. (MT).

The Transfer Portal is officially open for Men's College Basketball, and BYU basketball has one player who has entered the portal.

That player is center Xavion Staton, who, at the time he committed, was once the highest-rated recruit BYU landed in the internet era. What about players BYU is pursuing?

KSL Sports BYU Insider Mitch Harper shared some players who would make sense for BYU basketball as it navigates the transfer portal.

When one season ends, it's time to start looking ahead to the next one. Immediately after the Michigan Wolverines won the National Championships, Way-Too-Early Top 25 polls for the 2026-27 were starting to come out.

BYU was among the teams that national pundits ranked among the Top 25 next season.

Switching over to the gridiron, Mitch breaks down the 10 players who he believes improved their stock during BYU's 15 spring practices.

Then finally, Mitch caught up with BYU football starting center Bruce Mitchell to recap spring and preview Mitchell's final year as a BYU Cougar.

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Cougar Tracks is on YouTube and X every weekday at Noon (MT), and KSL NewsRadio at 6:30 p.m. (MT).

The NCAA Basketball Transfer Portal window is set to open on April 7 and run until April 21. BYU basketball head coach Kevin Young has said this is a "buckle up" type of deal.

Setting the stage for the upcoming two weeks of portal activity.

Staying with basketball, BYU star AJ Dybantsa was named the winner of the Julius Erving Award, given to the best small forward in college basketball. What this means for Dybantsa long-term with BYU.

BYU football closed out spring practices with an Alumni Game in which Team Royal defeated Team Navy 29-22. Norm Chow coached Team Royal and Robbie Bosco coached Team Navy.

Then, finally, KSL Sports BYU Insider Mitch Harper caught up with BYU running back LJ Martin to close out spring practices.

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Cougar Tracks is on YouTube and X every weekday at Noon (MT), and KSL NewsRadio at 6:30 p.m. (MT).

BYU football wrapped up spring practices for the 2026 season. KSL Sports BYU Insider Mitch Harper shared his takeaways from what he learned in spring ball about this BYU squad.

Some of the key takeaways centered around the wide receiver group, tight ends, and quarterback Bear Bachmeier.

Also, year one under defensive coordinator Kelly Poppinga.

Then, finally, what does Indiana's National Championship do to inject hope and optimism that BYU could reach those same heights?

BYU football head coach Kalani Sitake spoke with reporters via Zoom on April 2, 2026, to close out spring practices.

Sitake is entering his 11th season as BYU's head coach.

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Cougar Tracks is on YouTube and X every weekday at Noon (MT), and KSL NewsRadio at 6:30 p.m. (MT).

BYU football defensive coordinator Kelly Poppinga and offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick spoke with the media on April 2, 2026, on the final day of spring practices.

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Cougar Tracks is on YouTube and X every weekday at Noon (MT), and KSL NewsRadio at 6:30 p.m. (MT).

BYU basketball star AJ Dybantsa has not formally announced the next move in his career. Many assume it will be the NBA, as he is projected to be the No. 1 pick in next June's NBA draft.

But Dallas Mavericks star Cooper Flagg offered an interesting perspective during an interview with Pat McAfee that Dybantsa should consider as he makes his decision.

KSL Sports BYU Insider Mitch Harper shared his thoughts. Also, in this episode of Cougar Tracks, Mitch broke down the performance of BYU basketball commit Bruce Branch III in the 2026 McDonald's All-American Game.

Then, he also dove into the NCAA, proposing potential suspensions and fines for "Ghost Transfers." Will this actually work?

Also, Mitch caught up with BYU cornerback Jayven Williams, a new transfer from Mississippi State. Along with a conversation with 2027 commit Tytan Dejong from Mountain Ridge High School.

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Cougar Tracks is on YouTube and X every weekday at Noon (MT), and KSL NewsRadio at 6:30 p.m. (MT).

BYU football has a lot of star power returning, with Bear Bachmeier and LJ Martin leading the way on offense. But what about the guys behind those players? BYU offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick shared his thoughts on the depth at QB and RB for the 2026 season.

KSL Sports BYU Insider Mitch Harper shared his thoughts on those position groups. BYU football gets on the board for the class of 2027 with its first commitment. Mountain Ridge High School standout Tytan Dejong committed. 

Then, finally, BYU basketball five-star commitment Bruce Branch III is preparing to play in the McDonald's All-American Game tonight in Glendale, Arizona.

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Cougar Tracks is on YouTube and X every weekday at Noon (MT), and KSL NewsRadio at 6:30 p.m. (MT).

KSL Sports BYU Insider Mitch Harper caught up with BYU Sports Network analyst Hans Olsen to discuss spring practices. Olsen shared his thoughts on the offensive line's growth, BYU's tight end unit, and more in this conversation with Harper.

They also discussed the new contract extension for head coach Kalani Sitake.

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Cougar Tracks is on YouTube and X every weekday at Noon (MT), and KSL NewsRadio at 6:30 p.m. (MT).

The offseason never sleeps on Cougar Tracks, and neither do we.

In this episode, KSL Sports BYU Insider Mitch Harper dives into BYU football's initial SP+ rating entering the 2026 season and what those early analytics might be telling us about expectations for the Cougars in the Big 12 and nationally.

Mitch also dives into basketball, where the women's basketball team advanced to the WBIT Semifinals after defeating Stanford.

He also shares his thoughts on some transfer portal prospects who have caught his attention.

Then, finally, he caught up with BYU football sophomore EDGE rusher Hunter Clegg.

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Cougar Tracks is on YouTube and X every weekday at Noon (MT), and KSL NewsRadio at 6:30 p.m. (MT).

BYU football nears the finish line of spring practices for the 2026 season. KSL Sports BYU Insider Mitch Harper gives the latest updates from spring camp.

Kalani Sitake believes new defensive coordinator Kelly Poppinga has exceeded expectations so far in spring ball.

Also, one of the challenges of spring is finding a nice balance between achieving goals and keeping players healthy in the roster limit era. Returning production numbers by ESPN's Bill Connelly.

BYU ranks among the nation's best in returning production entering the 2026 season. What does that mean for the floor for this BYU team in 2026?

College Basketball is entering a golden era for viewership in the NCAA Tournament. What does that mean for BYU hoops going forward? 

Then, finally, Mitch Harper caught up with BYU wide receiver Reggie Frischknecht at spring practices as he prepares for his redshirt sophomore season.

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Cougar Tracks is on YouTube and X every weekday at Noon (MT), and KSL NewsRadio at 6:30 p.m. (MT).

BYU basketball is now in the offseason. When one season ends, it's already time to begin looking ahead to the next one.

KSL Sports BYU Insider Mitch Harper takes an early look at 2026-27 roster construction for year three under head coach Kevin Young.

Mitch goes player-by-player and also plays clips from Kevin Young and Dawson Baker.

Also, in this episode, Mitch shares some takeaways from BYU football Pro Day. 

Chase Roberts and Jack Kelly were expected to show well, and they did. But players such as Mory Bamba and Tanner Wall impressed with their testing results.

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Cougar Tracks is on YouTube and X every weekday at Noon (MT), and KSL NewsRadio at 6:30 p.m. (MT).

The 2025-26 BYU basketball came to a close after an upset loss to the Texas Longhorns in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

Freshman star AJ Dybantsa was outstanding scoring 35 points in what was likely his last game as a BYU Cougar.

KSL Sports BYU Insider Mitch Harper shared his thoughts on the game, and the next move for AJ Dybantsa.

You'll also hear from Kevin Young on the emotions he felt after the loss to Texas, along with the next steps for Dybantsa.

Finally, Mitch shares his thoughts on the lessons that were learned for BYU basketball this season.

Subscribe to the Cougar Tracks Podcast to stay up-to-date with all the daily episodes.

Cougar Tracks is on YouTube and X every weekday at Noon (MT), and KSL NewsRadio at 6:30 p.m. (MT).

The 2025-26 BYU basketball season comes to a close after the Cougars fall to the Texas Longhorns in the first round of the 2026 NCAA Tournament, 79-71.

KSL Sports BYU Insider Mitch Harper was in Portland to recap what took place at the Moda Center, and how BYU lost a tournament game despite a memorable 35-point performance from AJ Dybantsa.

Mitch breaks down the game and shares some early thoughts on what's next for BYU basketball.

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Cougar Tracks is on YouTube and X every weekday at Noon (MT), and KSL NewsRadio at 6:30 p.m. (MT).

KSL Sports BYU Insider Mitch Harper caught up with AJ Dybantsa, Kennard Davis Jr., Keba Keita, and BYU basketball head coach Kevin Young after the Cougars lost to Texas in the first round of the 2026 NCAA Tournament in Portland, Oregon, on March 19, 2026.

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Cougar Tracks is on YouTube and X every weekday at Noon (MT), and KSL NewsRadio at 6:30 p.m. (MT).

BYU basketball takes on the Texas Longhorns in the first round of the 2026 NCAA Tournament. KSL Sports BYU Insider Mitch Harper is in Portland, Oregon, to cover the game. He gave his preview and prediction on the matchup. AJ Dybantsa looks primed and ready for a big-time performance in his first NCAA Tournament game. Texas will look to carry the momentum they gained from the First Four win over NC State. BYU vs. Texas tips off at 5:25 p.m. (MDT)/4:25 p.m. (Pacific) on TBS and KSL NewsRadio (102.7 FM, 1160 AM).

Subscribe to the Cougar Tracks Podcast to stay up-to-date with all the daily episodes.

Cougar Tracks is on YouTube and X every weekday at Noon (MT), and KSL NewsRadio at 6:30 p.m. (MT).

BYU basketball players Robert Wright III, Keba Keita, Aleksej Kostic, Dominique Diomande, Khadim Mboup, Nate Pickens, and Xavion Staton spoke with KSL Sports BYU Insider Mitch Harper to discuss the 2026 First Round NCAA Tournament matchup against the Texas Longhorns and the preparation for the matchup.

Subscribe to the Cougar Tracks Podcast to stay up-to-date with all the daily episodes.

Cougar Tracks is on YouTube and X every weekday at Noon (MT), and KSL NewsRadio at 6:30 p.m. (MT).

BYU basketball will face the Texas Longhorns in the first round of the 2026 NCAA Tournament in Portland, Oregon. Texas defeated NC State on Tuesday in the First Four in Dayton, Ohio.

KSL Sports BYU Insider Mitch Harper is in Portland and shared his thoughts on the matchup. How will BYU star AJ Dybantsa match up against the Longhorns?

Also, in this episode of Cougar Tracks, Mitch was at BYU football practice on Tuesday. He shared some practice observations from the Student Athlete Building.

Then, finally, Mitch caught up with BYU Passing Game Coordinator Fesi Sitake to check in on BYU's wide receiver unit for the 2026 season.

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Cougar Tracks is on YouTube and X every weekday at Noon (MT), and KSL NewsRadio at 6:30 p.m. (MT).

BYU basketball arrived in Portland, Oregon, on Tuesday, in preparation for the 2026 NCAA Tournament.

BYU star AJ Dybantsa was named a first-team AP All-American, the first time that's happened for a BYU player since Jimmer Fredette in 2011.

Who is the matchup that BYU should want more in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, Texas or NC State?

Also, what will it take for BYU basketball to make a deep run in the 2026 NCAA Tournament?

KSL Sports BYU Insider Mitch Harper explores that question in the latest episode of Cougar Tracks.

Subscribe to the Cougar Tracks Podcast to stay up-to-date with all the daily episodes.

Cougar Tracks is on YouTube and X every weekday at Noon (MT), and KSL NewsRadio at 6:30 p.m. (MT).

BYU basketball star AJ Dybantsa is set to lead the Cougars into the 2026 NCAA Tournament. Will Dybantsa join the likes of Carmelo Anthony, Derrick Rose, Anthony Davis, and Greg Oden as some of the great freshmen runs in NCAA Tournament history?

That's the opportunity in front of the superstar freshman.

KSL Sports BYU Insider Mitch Harper dove into that thought and set the stage for the upcoming week as BYU gets set to travel to Portland.

Also, diving into the weekly Cougar Stock Exchange, what's trending up and trending down for BYU basketball.

Finally, Mitch picks every game in the 2026 NCAA Tournament and fills out the entire bracket, sharing his Final Four picks and National Champion.

Subscribe to the Cougar Tracks Podcast to stay up-to-date with all the daily episodes.

Cougar Tracks is on YouTube and X every weekday at Noon (MT), and KSL NewsRadio at 6:30 p.m. (MT).

BYU basketball received a 6-seed in the 2026 NCAA Tournament and will face either Texas or NC State in Portland in the First Round.

KSL Sports BYU Insider Mitch Harper broke down BYU's draw and gave his initial thoughts on the path that the Cougars received from the Selection Committee.

Mitch will be in Portland beginning on Tuesday night and will cover BYU's entire run in the 2026 NCAA Tournament.

Subscribe to the Cougar Tracks Podcast to stay up-to-date with all the daily episodes.

Cougar Tracks is on YouTube and X every weekday at Noon (MT), and KSL NewsRadio at 6:30 p.m. (MT).

BYU basketball head coach Kevin Young and freshman star AJ Dybantsa spoke to reporters on Selection Sunday to react to BYU landing a 6-seed in the 2026 NCAA Tournament.

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Cougar Tracks is on YouTube and X every weekday at Noon (MT), and KSL NewsRadio at 6:30 p.m. (MT).

BYU basketball won two games in the 2026 Big 12 Tournament before falling to No. 5 Houston in the Quarterfinals.

KSL Sports BYU Insider Mitch Harper shared some takeaways from BYU's week in Kansas City at the Big 12 Tournament. What we learned and what's the outlook for the Cougars in the NCAA Tournament.

Speaking of outlook, Mitch dives into the Bracketology forecast for BYU as the Cougars now wait for Selection Sunday.

Then, finally, BYU football continues spring practices. Kalani Sitake was named the Utah County Person of the Year, and the Alumni Game rosters were set for the 5th annual matchup of BYU greats.

Mitch also caught up with BYU offensive lineman Paki Finau. Finau transferred to BYU from the University of Washington and is expected to be an impact player for the Cougars in 2026.

Subscribe to the Cougar Tracks Podcast to stay up-to-date with all the daily episodes.

Cougar Tracks is on YouTube and X every weekday at Noon (MT), and KSL NewsRadio at 6:30 p.m. (MT).