BYU’s Big Play: Why Returning Players Matter in College Football

BYU stands out in the college football world because it keeps most of its key players from one season to the next. A recent study by CBS Sports shows that 63 % of the team’s plays last year involved players who will be on the field again in 2026. This high percentage is rare, especially for a school that has not relied heavily on the transfer portal. The report compares teams across the country, measuring how many starters and important role players return. Unlike other metrics, it does not weight positions or count new transfers. Instead, it looks at how much the same group of players worked together last season. BYU’s numbers are impressive: 60 % on offense and a remarkable 65 % on defense, ranking fourth nationally in defensive continuity. On offense, the Cougars benefit from a stable backfield. Quarterback Bear Bachmeier and running back LJ Martin, the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year, return with plenty of experience. The offensive line also sees 61 % returning snaps, led by center Bruce Mitchell and tackle Andrew Gentry. However, the team struggles at wide receiver (47 %) and tight end (28 %), where key players have left for the NFL or departed from school. Defensively, BYU retains a strong core. Defensive tackle Keanu Tanavasa and linebackers Isaiah Glasker and Siale Esera are back, along with secondary players Evan Johnson and Faletau Satuala. The defensive line’s 76 % returning snaps is the third‑best in the nation, helped by Nusi Taomoepeau and others. Only Notre Dame matches BYU’s overall stability, making their upcoming game in Provo a must‑watch.Contrast this with Utah, which finished the previous season 11–2 but has only a 39 % returning snaps rate. Utah’s offense is largely unchanged at quarterback, with Devon Dampier and Byrd Ficklin returning. Yet the team loses its entire starting offensive line to the draft or free agency, and its defensive line will see major changes. Utah’s 60 % return at linebacker is solid, but the rest of the roster faces a steep rebuild. In the Big 12, BYU leads in returning snaps overall and at both offense and defense. Texas Tech follows with 52 % overall, while Houston sits near the middle at 50 %. The conference’s lower‑tier teams—Colorado, West Virginia, Oklahoma State, and Iowa State—have the lowest percentages, indicating higher turnover. These numbers suggest that teams with more continuity may start the season faster, but they do not guarantee success; injuries and other factors can alter outcomes. In summary, BYU’s strategy of keeping players together gives it a clear advantage in preparation and execution. While other teams may still win games, the stability that returning snaps provide can shorten the learning curve and create a smoother transition into the new season.