BYU continued its upward trajectory by finishing the 2025 season with a 12–2 record. Coming off an 11–2 campaign in 2024, the Cougars entered 2025

Another highly-touted local prospect is headed to BYU. Orem High’s three-position standout Kaue Akana has committed to the Cougars, he announced Tuesday morning via social media. > COMMITTED!! @CoachJayHill @kalanifsitake@BlairAngulo @BrandonHuffman#GoCougs #byucougars #cougarnation #provo #BYU pic.twitter.com/DWEfGWhcH4 > > — Kaue Akana (@akana_kaue) July 1, 2025 Akana is rated as a high 3-star recruit with an overall player grade of 89 from 247 Sports, ranking as the No. 7 prospect out of Utah from the class of 2026. He chose BYU over nearly 20 other Power 4 offers from the likes of USC, UCLA, Texas A&M, Tennessee and more. Though the standout soccer player didn’t compete in football until his freshman year of high school, Akana has wasted no time making a name for himself on the gridiron. He caught 76 passes for 1,227 yards and 14 touchdowns as a junior this past season, while also playing defensive back and serving as Orem’s starting kicker. On defense, Akana recorded 58 total tackles — six for loss — with two interceptions and a sack. “Akana is one of the most versatile players out West with the ability to play on either side of the ball in college,” wrote 247 Sports analyst Greg Biggins of Akana. “... We love his long term potential and upside.” As a freshman in 2022, Akana’s game-winning field goal over Alta sent Orem to the Utah 5A state semifinals. ### What BYU’s 2026 recruiting class currently looks like * Ryder Lyons, quarterback (Folsom, California). * Brock Harris, tight end (St. George, Utah). * Bott Mulitalo, offensive line (American Fork, Utah). * Terrance Saryon, wide receiver (Vancouver, Washington). * Kaue Akana, athlete (Orem, Utah). * PJ Takitaki, edge (Lehi, Utah). * Lopeti Moala, defensive line (Orem, Utah). * Ty Goettsche, tight end (Englewood, Colorado). * Legend Glasker, wide receiver (Lehi, Utah). * Matthew Mason, safety (Las Vegas, Nevada). * Sefanaia Alatini, athlete (Mountain View, California). * Antonio Johnson, cornerback (Fort Worth, Texas). * Parker Ord, tight end (Frisco, Texas). * Justice Brathwaite, cornerback (Gilbert, Arizona). * Kaneal Sweetwyne, quarterback (Lehi, Utah). * Graham Livingston, wide receiver (Millville, Utah).

BYU has added an intriguing tight end to its 2026 recruiting class. Ty Goettsche has committed to the Cougars, he announced Saturday via social media. > I am truly blessed to have the opportunity to live out my dream of playing College Football. With that being said, I am 100% committed to furthering my academic and athletic career at BYU!!!@BYUfootball @CoachKGilbride @CCNextLevelFB @CoachBetti @BYUCougars @BYU pic.twitter.com/UYglFgB4Dr > > — Ty Goettsche (@TyGoettsche) March 29, 2025 Goettsche is currently rated as a 3-star recruit by 247 Sports and the No. 9 player out of Colorado’s class of 2026. He plays for Cherry Creek High School — the alma mater of BYU standout tight end Andrew George. “When you look at his frame and raw athleticism, it’s easy to see why Goettsche has become so highly coveted,” wrote Greg Biggins of 247 Sports. “He looks close to the 6-7 and 225 pounds he’s listed and his basketball background shows up on the gridiron. He has some bounce to him and flashes quickness off the line and the ability to high point the football and win jump balls in the red zone. He has strong hands and is a willing blocker. He shows a nice aggressive edge in the run game, lining up as an in-line tight end and at H-back.” As a relative football newcomer in 2024, Goettsche caught 13 passes for 165 yards and four touchdowns, helping Cherry Creek win the Colorado 5A state championship. > Full Season Highlights @CCNextLevelFB @CreekFB @jack_reinheimer @BYU_CoachJustin @BYUfootball @CUBuffsFootball @CoachJake92 pic.twitter.com/Z0McDXI538 > > — Ty Goettsche (@TyGoettsche) December 30, 2024 He chose the Cougars over competing offers from Utah, Auburn, Penn State, Florida and other notable programs. “His junior season was his first full year playing football and although he put up modest numbers for a loaded Cherry Creek team, his upside is obvious,” Biggins wrote. “You just don’t see a lot of tight ends with Goettsche’s frame, growth potential and athleticism and he looks primed for a huge senior year.” According to Casey Lundquist of Sports Illustrated BYU, Goettsche plans to serve a mission following high school. “I love the culture at BYU, and how flexible they are with kids that want to serve missions,” Goettsche told Lundquist. “... I know that Coach Kalani (Sitake) is gonna be staying there for a while, and he’s kind of flipped the program around. I really love the culture he’s developed there at BYU.” Goettsche is the fourth member of BYU’s 2026 class, joining PJ Takitaki, Justice Brathwaite and Kaneal Sweetwyne.

What a win for BYU. For the first time since 2011, the Cougars have advanced to the Sweet Sixteen after knocking off 3 seed Wisconsin 81-79 Saturday in Denver. Social media was buzzing with BYU fans clearly overjoyed by the upset victory. Here are some of the best reactions. > SURE IS SWEET. pic.twitter.com/FPhPICbOVs > > — BYU Men's Basketball (@BYUMBB) March 23, 2025 > pic.twitter.com/CYQTICt9z2 > > — BYU Cougars (@BYUCougars) March 23, 2025 > BYU HANGS ON TO TAKE DOWN WISCONSIN 🤯 > > THE COUGARS ARE HEADED TO THE SWEET 16 🙌 pic.twitter.com/4mdh6D6F7N > > — Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) March 23, 2025 > BYU SURVIVES AND ADVANCES 😱 > > THE COUGARS ARE OFF TO THE #SWEET16 #MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/feAI9pW5t4 > > — NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 23, 2025 > (6) BYU PUNCHES A TICKET TO THE SWEET 16 🎟️ > > The Cougars take down (3) Wisconsin to keep dancing 🙌 #MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/j2nG5fy3SC > > — NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 23, 2025 > Bad night to be a badger 😏@BYUMBB | @MarchMadnessMBB pic.twitter.com/d4IG8ChTEP > > — Big 12 Conference (@Big12Conference) March 23, 2025 > HOW SWEET IT IS!!!! > > — Kalani F Sitake (@kalanifsitake) March 23, 2025 > See you all in Newark! 🤙. #GoCougs pic.twitter.com/OkjVE3quAF > > — Will Voigt (@CoachWillVoigt) March 23, 2025 > ITS A GREAT DAY TO BE A COUGAR!!! #GoCougs #SweetSixteeenBaby > > — Kevin Nixon (@KevinNixon33) March 23, 2025 > Let’s goooooo!!!!! Sweet 16!! Go BYU!! > > — Kyle Collinsworth (@collinsworth55) March 23, 2025 > SWEEEEEEEEEET 16!!!!!!!!!!!!!! > > — Jonathan Tavernari (@For3JT) March 23, 2025 > BYU hired Kevin Young, and in a few months, he hired the best staff in the country, signed the #1 rated recruit in the world, and has now taken his team to the Sweet 16. > > Not in my wildest dreams could I have predicted this kind of year. pic.twitter.com/g2e8lA6bMb > > — Jake Lee (@JakeLeei) March 23, 2025 > SWEEEEEEEET @BYUMBB > > — Lamont Morgan Jr🏁 (@2LMOrgan) March 23, 2025 > SWEET 16 NEVER FELT SO GOOD!!! #BYUHoops @BYUMBB #MarchMadness > > — Skyler Halford, DPT, C-PS (@halfordhoops) March 23, 2025 > SEE YOU IN THE SWEET SIXTEEN pic.twitter.com/XEdD81TbzL > > — BYU Men's Basketball (@BYUMBB) March 23, 2025 > COUGS SURVIVE 🤯@BYUMBB is moving on to the Sweet 16 #MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/AGYl2fWPvS > > — FOX College Hoops (@CBBonFOX) March 23, 2025 > The crowd in Denver chanting "BYU"@BYUMBB pic.twitter.com/LhASHjgZsp > > — CBS Sports College Basketball 🏀 (@CBSSportsCBB) March 23, 2025 > I love you Kevin Young > > — Hype Train Podcast (@thehypetrainpod) March 23, 2025 > Yes they’re very good https://t.co/zVDbFgEsEx > > — Big Cat (@BarstoolBigCat) March 23, 2025 > pic.twitter.com/1hDDrxXcak > > — no context byu (@ContextFreeBYU) March 23, 2025 > Chuck on Richayyyy: “No matter how he plays, Tater Tots always gonna win” pic.twitter.com/7Po41txwBq > > — Geoff Johnston (@geoffjBYU) March 23, 2025 > BYU survives the late Wisconsin run, and moves to the Sweet 16 for the first time in 14 years. > > Incredible season in Year 1 of the Kevin Young Era. > > — Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) March 23, 2025 > Danny Ainge, Jimmer Fredette, and Richie Saunders the three generations of BYU basketball > > — Tate Frazier (@tatefrazier) March 23, 2025 > EVERYBODY IS GETTING IN THE JACUZZI TONIGHT. THE WHOLE TEAM. THE ENTIRE BAND. FILL THAT THING UP. pic.twitter.com/wnUiU2gVX3 > > — Steve Pierce (@PostJimmer) March 23, 2025 > "The Big Ten is 10-0 in the tournament!" > > BYU: pic.twitter.com/qFhqgHesgH > > — FanDuel Sportsbook (@FDSportsbook) March 23, 2025 > BYU never trailed in that game. And you had them as a 6 seed. pic.twitter.com/KVO9f8p6Tm > > — Cougs in the Pros 🤙🏼 (@BYUpros) March 23, 2025 > BYU MOVES ON‼️ > > The Cougars head to the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2011, when Jimmer Fredette was on the squad 💪 pic.twitter.com/l9SNeCTvxR > > — ESPN (@espn) March 23, 2025 > Kevin Young took the BYU job a month after the transfer portal opened and just took this team to a Sweet 16. BYU under Kevin Young is just getting started on its way to a college basketball force. pic.twitter.com/H9xcvrAUq1 > > — Robby McCombs (@rtmccombs) March 23, 2025

What a way to end the regular season. BYU earned its eighth straight victory in 85-74 fashion against Utah Saturday night, marking the Cougars’ first win over the Runnin’ Utes since 2022. Social media has been buzzing about BYU’s winning ways heading into the postseason. Here are some of the most notable reactions. > See you in Kansas City🫡 pic.twitter.com/sWcPIcqOoH > > — BYU Men's Basketball (@BYUMBB) March 9, 2025 > pic.twitter.com/7pPv6sLBwt > > — BYU Cougars (@BYUCougars) March 9, 2025 > Y’ALL BROUGHT IT TONIGHT @byuROC !!! pic.twitter.com/b4BbTu8I6B > > — BYU Men's Basketball (@BYUMBB) March 9, 2025 > Another one. #GoCougs pic.twitter.com/hURCAhKdhF > > — Will Voigt (@CoachWillVoigt) March 9, 2025 > Love to see it, especially this one!! 🤙🏾’s ⬆️ the other guys ⬇️ let’s gooo!!! @BYUMBB #GoCougs > > — Harvey Unga (@unga45) March 9, 2025 > BYU beats Utah - and finishes the regular season with 8 straight wins heading into the Big 12 Tournament. > . > Hottest team in power conference hoops not named "Duke" as we hit the home stretch of the season. > > Tried to tell you about the Cougars weeks ago. Cougs are the REAL deal pic.twitter.com/pJyLqdwerv > > — Aaron Torres (@Aaron_Torres) March 9, 2025 > A BYU win is excellent. A Utah loss is also excellent. But a BYU win over Utah is the most excellent. > > — Spencer Blake (@spencerjblake) March 9, 2025 > You gotta hand it to the Utes. They have heart. Adding Alex as coach is a great move. Good things to come for them (except when they play the Y).😉 > > — Shaun McKnight (@ShaunMcKnight) March 9, 2025 > It's always a good day to beat the Utes!#byubasketball#byuhoops#BYU pic.twitter.com/TW4gHItmla > > — 🔥Jeff Chatman🔥 (@jeffchat) March 9, 2025 > If you missed the BYU Men’s basketball game, here’s the summary: pic.twitter.com/owj3rRceF3 > > — Brian Logan (@BrianLogan7) March 9, 2025 > Light the U! #GoCougs pic.twitter.com/N8CUP7TVDL > > — Jonny Linehan (@jlinehan9) March 9, 2025 > After a 2-4 start in the Big12, BYU closed out with a 12-2 finish. pic.twitter.com/gLcTpRgzgK > > — CougarStats (@CougarStats) March 9, 2025 > With all due respect to the likes of Bret Jepsen, Jared Jensen, Chris Miles, James Anderson, Braiden Shaw and other BYU bigs that came before, seeing Keba Keita achieve these athletic achievements at BYU is something to behold > > — Robby McCombs (@rtmccombs) March 9, 2025 > Thanks for coming out Utes > > — Joe Wheat (@joewheat27) March 9, 2025 > BYU is undefeated in the Blueberry Cougar Tail Era. pic.twitter.com/YojSs8KxYB > > — Brigham's Burner (@FiredUpCoug) March 9, 2025 > Dallin Hall isn’t the only guy to hit a 3 before the buzzer for BYU this year… pic.twitter.com/Vo6e9ueXI4 > > — Center Street Media (@CenterStMedia) March 9, 2025 > I don’t think we’re fully appreciating the fact that we’re in arguably the toughest conference in America… > > And we just went 23-8. > > — Sporty (@SportyMcSports) March 9, 2025 > Tom Holmoe needs to jump in front of a microphone and camera after this game and say, “I just want you to know we’re always proud to be in the Big 12, especially tonight.” > > — Greg Welch (@ArtDirectorBYU) March 9, 2025

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<b>Laramie, Wyo.</b> • Fifty years after <a href="https://archive.sltrib.com/story.php?ref=/byucougars/ci_13728556" target=_blank>14 black football players were kicked off the University of Wyoming fo...