Sep 1, 2026 · 50 min
BYU’s depth chart sharpens the Utah Tech opener
4 Days to Kickoff: What BYU's Depth Chart Tells Us
The first depth chart, coordinator benchmarks, and player perspectives reveal how BYU is framing its season opener and broader Big 12 ambitions.
- 1BYU’s first depth chart reflects a healthy roster, returning defensive leadership, and unresolved battles involving newcomers.
- 2Coordinators Aaron Roderick and Kelly Poppinga set contrasting tests: more explosive offense and six seconds of defensive havoc.
- 3Pete Sousa and Justin Kirkland frame Utah Tech as both an opener and an early diagnostic for BYU’s season.
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Justin Kirkland’s discussion of his offseason weight loss, recovery, and the team’s mindset gives the opener a player-level definition of success.
The brief
BYU’s first depth chart points to a healthy roster, returning defensive leaders, and position battles that will shape the season opener against Utah Tech.
Aaron Roderick wants Bear Bachmeier and the offense to generate more explosive plays, while Kelly Poppinga sets a defensive target built around limiting points and creating havoc.
Pete Sousa describes the Utah Tech game as a chance to expose and fix early issues, while weighing Bachmeier’s progress, BYU’s ranking, and its playoff path.
Justin Kirkland brings the player view of game week, discussing his offseason weight loss, recovery, team mindset, and what a successful opener would look like.
The episode closes by placing BYU inside a debated Big 12 landscape, with Spencer Linton ranking Texas Tech first and the hosts testing the conference’s presumed contenders.