Locked On Cougars - Daily Podcast On BYU Cougars Football & Basketball

The BYU Cougars have set themselves apart amid the chaos of the transfer portal era, crafting a program virtually immune to mass exits and drama. While rivals like Utah reel from high-profile recruiting losses—highlighted by Utah athletic director Mark Harlan’s controversial social media response to five-star prospect Salesi Moa’s defection from the Utah Utes—BYU thrives on stability and continuity. Jake Hatch explores why BYU’s “p...

Big 12 football teams retool through the transfer portal—are Houston and Oklahoma State now national contenders? Portal action heats up as BYU retains nearly all of its top talent, while Utah faces painful losses to Michigan. Can West Virginia’s major upgrades and key pickups spark a resurgence? 

Jake Hatch, Drake Toll, and local Locked On experts debate tampering controversies, NIL-driven recruiting, and which schools are winning t...

The streak reaches lucky number 13! On today’s edition of Locked On Cougars, host Jake Hatch breaks down a gritty 76-70 victory for BYU basketball over TCU. In a game that tested their resolve, the Cougars proved why they belong at the top of the Big 12 standings.

AJ Dybantsa’s "Flu Game" & The 4-0 Big 12 Start

It wasn't easy, but great teams find a way to win when they aren't at 100%. We dive into how AJ Dybantsa powered th...

The BYU Cougars make a bold gamble by opting for continuity over seeking out transfer portal upgrades for their defensive line. Are Kalani Sitake and Kelly Poppinga’s bets on internal player development the competitive edge BYU needs, or a risky deviation from proven Big 12 strategies? Jake Hatch breaks down why the coaching staff is prioritizing returning talent like Keanu Tanuvasa, Justin Kirkland, Tausili Akana, Bodie Schoonover...

The BYU Cougars make a national statement by securing Cal transfer Cade Uluave, the number one-rated linebacker in the transfer portal, signaling a new era of defensive dominance in Provo. With Uluave joining a loaded linebacking corps that already boasts Isaiah Glasker and Siale Esera, BYU is set to field one of the most athletic and versatile defenses in the Big 12. Is this the core that finally positions BYU for a legitimate Col...

The BYU Cougars lock in top talent and set sights on game-changing additions in the transfer portal, sparking fresh optimism for the upcoming season. LJ Martin returns after a record-chasing campaign, while Walker Lyons steps in as a high-ceiling tight end, likened to Carsen Ryan for his dynamic blocking and pass-catching skill. With Chase Roberts’ departure and key veterans spread across the roster, questions loom: can BYU’s blend...

The rivalry remains Blue. On today’s episode of Locked On Cougars, host Jake Hatch celebrates a massive night for BYU athletics, headlined by a thrilling 89-84 victory over the Utah Utes at the Huntsman Center. This wasn't just another win; it was a statement by Kevin Young’s squad and a historic milestone for the program.

The "Big 3" Take Over Salt Lake City

The atmosphere in Salt Lake City was electric, but BYU's "Big 3" p...

The BYU Cougars secured their offensive engine for 2026 and beyond as LJ Martin, fresh off a 1,300-yard Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year campaign, announces his return for a crucial senior season—and Bear Bachmeier confirms he won’t enter the transfer portal. Could this veteran core finally power BYU to a conference title and College Football Playoff berth? Jake Hatch analyzes how BYU’s savvy NIL investments and culture have mad...

Texas Tech surges to the top of Big 12 transfer portal rankings, poaching playmakers like Brennan Sorsby from Cincinnati and sparking debate over NIL and facilities advantages. Can Red Raiders’ big-spending approach shake up the conference power dynamic, or will the “Lubbock tax” backfire? Drake Toll and the panel evaluate top transfers, from Michael Hawkins Jr. joining West Virginia’s new quarterback room to Colorado’s shift from ...

The BYU Cougars are surging with major program stability as Kelly Poppinga is promoted to defensive coordinator—can his background and tireless recruiting elevate BYU’s defense after a 23-4 makr over the past two football campaigns? Jake Hatch spotlights Poppinga’s transition, including how his Bronco Mendenhall coaching roots and attention to detail may infuse fresh energy and outside-the-box thinking to the Cougar defense. The ep...

BYU Cougars are primed for another explosive season—can they finally capture the elusive Big 12 Championship and punch a ticket to the College Football Playoff? With Bear Bachmeier returning after a sensational freshman campaign and LJ Martin poised for another run as the reigning Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year, BYU faces no regression on offense. Jake Hatch highlights how keeping their stars and bolstering both sides of the b...

The foundation of the 2026 BYU defense is taking shape. On today’s episode of Locked On Cougars, host Jake Hatch breaks down a massive recruiting and retention win for Kalani Sitake as star linebacker Isaiah Glasker officially announces his return to Provo for another season.

The Return of the Playmaker: Isaiah Glasker

We start with the headline news: Isaiah Glasker is coming back. In a college football era dominated by the ...

The BYU Cougars face a pivotal offseason as the transfer portal heats up and Kalani Sitake sticks to his trademark measured approach. With the NCAA Transfer Portal open several days and zero commitments on record, fans wonder if this calculated patience can deliver another Big 12 breakthrough. Jake Hatch reveals why BYU’s recruiting process, involving detailed vetting for academic and Honor Code standards, uniquely shapes their ros...

On today’s episode of Locked On Cougars, Jake Hatch reacts to a statement 83-73 road win for BYU Basketball over Kansas State to open Big 12 play. While the stars shone bright, the grit in the paint was the difference maker as the Cougars proved they are ready for the rigors of the toughest conference in America.

Hoops: Statement Made at Bramlage

The Cougars move to 1-0 in the Big 12 after a wire-to-wire performance that sil...

The NCAA Transfer Portal surges into full swing as more than 1,000-plus football players, including some from BYU, hit the portal in search of new opportunities, raising the stakes for programs hoping to reload ahead of next season. With defensive coordinator Jay Hill bound for Michigan and offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick linked to the Utah Utes, BYU faces a unique challenge—how do you recruit elite portal talent with such unc...

The BYU coaching carousel has officially hit high gear. On today’s episode of Locked On Cougars, Jake Hatch reacts to the massive news that Defensive Coordinator Jay Hill is leaving Provo to take the same position at the University of Michigan. It’s a bitter pill to swallow for Cougar Nation after Hill’s masterclass in the Pop-Tarts Bowl, but the spotlight now shifts entirely to Kalani Sitake. How does the head man replace his righ...

Kalani Sitake stands at a pivotal moment as speculation grows around Jay Hill’s imminent move from BYU Football to the Michigan Wolverines. Will the Cougars need to land a Hill replica to sustain momentum in the Big 12, or is defensive flexibility the way forward? Jake Hatch unpacks insider perspectives, noting that success may not require a like-for-like coordinator. From internal options like Gary Andersen, Jernaro Gilford, Kelly...

The BYU Cougars face a pivotal moment as rumors circulate about the possible departures of key coaching staff members Jay Hill and Aaron Roderick. With Hill strongly linked to Michigan and Roderick reportedly a top candidate for Utah’s offensive coordinator role, Cougar fans are left questioning the stability and future momentum of their program. Jake Hatch explores the legitimacy of these coaching rumors and analyzes Patrick Kinah...

Jay Hill’s imminent departure to Michigan sparks uncertainty: Can BYU’s surging football program weather the loss and keep climbing in the Big 12? The Cougars have transformed into one of college football’s top 25 defenses under Hill’s guidance, but with Power 4 resources and a renewed recruiting edge, BYU fans face the real question—should they panic, or trust head coach Kalani Sitake to maintain the program’s upward trajectory?

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