Jordan Bishop Smashes Up Clash with Utah's Rivalry Fans

BYU wide receiver Jojo Phillips (13) celebrates after completing his catch and running out of bounds during a game against the UCF Knights held at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News After two of their top three pass-catchers from the 2025 football season, Chase Roberts and Carsen Ryan, exhausted their eligibility and headed off for a shot in the NFL, the BYU Cougars quickly signed Oregon’s Kyler Kasper and USC’s Walker Lyons out of the transfer portal.

It appeared that the Cougars were ready to give returning quarterback Bear Bachmeier all the weapons he would need to replicate his standout performance in 2025. Then BYU’s top receiver last year, Parker Kingston, was charged with felony rape last month and subsequently kicked off the team and out of school as he awaits trial in Utah’s 5th District Court. Will the Cougars try to replace the dynamic receiver and punt returner in 2026?

That does not appear likely, receivers coach and passing game coordinator Fesi Sitake told the Deseret News earlier this month after the Cougars had held four spring practices. “Nope, no plans to do that,” Sitake said. “Between the depth that we have from last year, Kyler Kasper, and the freshmen we brought in, we should be fine.

” The most experienced returning guys are JoJo Phillips (14 catches, 161 yards), Cody Hagen (12 catches, 97 yards) and Bear’s brother, Tiger Bachmeier (seven catches, 69 yards). Reggie Frischknecht, who had one catch for seven yards, and Tei Nacua, who appeared in five games last year but did not record a catch, are also on the spring camp roster. The freshmen whom Sitake referenced that are already enrolled and going through spring workouts are returned missionary Jett Nelson, Lehi all-stater Legend Glasker and Terrance Saryon, a speedster from Portland.