Depth chart: Cougars counting on continuity to keep defense near top of Big 12 in 2026

BYU defensive coordinator Kelly Poppinga instructs during a practice March 6, 2026, in Provo. | Jaren Wilkey, BYU Photo In the days after BYU came from behind to beat Georgia Tech 25-21 in the Pop-Tarts Bowl to get its 12th win of the season, prospects for the Cougars having as good of a defense in 2026 as they did in 2025 looked bleak. Highly successful defensive coordinator Jay Hill was on his way to join Kyle Whittingham at Michigan, cornerbacks coach Jernaro Gilford eventually went with him, and predictions were flying around social media websites that the twosome would plunder some of BYU’s top defenders as well.

Turns out that only backup linebacker Max Alford made the move to Ann Arbor, leaving the BYU defense that ranked in the top three in most of the key statistical categories in the Big 12 in 2025 mostly intact. Sure, the Cougars lost some outstanding defenders to graduation or the NFL — linebacker Jack Kelly, safety Tanner Wall, defensive linemen John Taumoepeau and Logan Lutui, and cornerback Mory Bamba are the most notable departures — but they managed to keep the likes of safety Faletau Satuala, defensive linemen Keanu Tanuvasa, Nusi Taumoepeau and Tausili Akana, linebackers Isaiah Glasker and Siale Esera and cornerbacks Tre Alexander and Evan Johnson in Provo. In January, head coach Kalani Sitake promoted Kelly Poppinga to defensive coordinator and brought in Demario Warren and Lewis Walker to round out the defensive staff.

Chad Kauha’aha’a was promoted from defensive analyst to outside linebackers coach and Gary Andersen was retained as a senior defensive consultant and the “chief consultant” to head coach Sitake. “We have as good of a two- or three-deep that I’ve ever had,” Poppinga said. “Now, we have to put it (together).

I keep saying that, right? Because everybody wants to (see) high expectations. We have higher expectations than anybody.