BYU football: Does Bear Bachmeier have enough weapons around him to flourish again in 2026?

BYU wide receiver Jojo Phillips (13) celebrates after completing his catch and running out of bounds during an NCAA football game against the UCF Knights held at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News Because they have gone a combined 23-4 the past two college football seasons and have a rising star returning at quarterback, the BYU Cougars are in almost every national publication’s preseason top 25 for the 2026 season.

But in extolling the virtues of sophomore QB Bear Bachmeier, and what the Californian who turned 19 last September was able to accomplish in 2025, those outlets invariably bring up what could be an Achilles’ heel for the player called “Bearcat” by his offensive line in 2026. That would be the lack of a big-time wide receiver in the BYU offense, following the departures of Chase Roberts to the NFL (Las Vegas Raiders) and Parker Kingston, who was kicked out of school in February. Barring a last-minute settlement or plea deal, Kingston will stand trial on a felony rape charge May 26-29 in St.

George’s Fifth District Court. Throughout spring camp and in the weeks since then, Cougar coaches such as offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick, passing game coordinator and receivers coach Fesi Sitake and tight ends coach Kevin Gilbride have said that BYU will be fine at receiver, thanks to the depth established the past few years and the addition of Oregon’s Kyler Kasper, who was was lightly used as a Duck due to several lower leg injuries. We have guys on the perimeter that can go.

It is a multifaceted (attack) because I think we’re going to be good everywhere. BYU QB Bear Bachmeier Even Bachmeier has noted that the receivers group will be OK, bolstered by tight end transfer additions Walker Lyons of USC and Roger Saleapaga of Oregon. “There’s a lot of turnover on a lot of teams,” Bachmeier said in late March.