2025-26 BYU Basketball Roster Tracker: Key Departures to Michigan Shake Up Lineup The 2025-26 BYU Cougars men’s basketball season is shaping up to be one of the most unpredictable in recent memory, thanks in large part to a surprising offseason twist: multiple key players have transferred to Michigan, shaking the foundation of the Cougars’ roster and leaving head coach Mark Pope with more questions than answers as fall approaches.BYU, who finished last season with a respectable 22-11 record and a second-round exit in the NCAA Tournament, had high hopes for a deeper run this year. That optimism took a hit in early April when three of the team’s projected starters—junior guard Jaxon Mitchell, sophomore forward Keaton Vance, and senior sharpshooter Eli Driggs—announced they were entering the transfer portal. Within days, all three committed to Michigan, turning what was supposed to be a reloading year for BYU into a potential rebuilding one.The Michigan connection came as a surprise to many. While the Wolverines are no strangers to pulling talent from across the country, grabbing a trio from a single program—and one with such cohesive chemistry—is rare. Rumors swirled that Michigan’s new head coach, former NBA assistant Terrence Wallace, made a strong personal pitch to each of the players during their visit to Ann Arbor. Sources close to the situation suggest NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) opportunities and the allure of Big Ten exposure played major roles in their decision.Mitchell, the Cougars’ leading scorer last season at 17.4 points per game, was expected to be the focal point of BYU’s offense. His departure alone would have been a heavy blow, but losing Vance, who averaged a double-double as a sophomore, and Driggs, a 44% three-point shooter, compounds the problem significantly.“This isn’t just about talent—we lost our core,” Coach Pope said in a recent press conference. “Those guys had heart, chemistry, and leadership. But we’ve been here before. We’ll adjust.”Adjusting may involve dipping deep into the transfer portal themselves. BYU has already landed former UTEP center Malik Jefferson, a 6’10” shot-blocker with a raw offensive game but serious upside on defense. Pope is also pursuing several junior college standouts and international prospects, though none have officially committed yet.The loss of so many veterans may also mean an accelerated timeline for freshmen. Incoming four-star recruit Zion Kelso, a combo guard from Arizona, will likely be thrust into a starting role much sooner than expected. Kelso is known for his court vision and tough perimeter defense, but asking an 18-year-old to fill Mitchell’s shoes is a tall order.Despite the upheaval, fans remain cautiously optimistic. BYU’s culture has been its secret weapon for years, and Pope’s ability to motivate and adapt has earned him a loyal following. Still, the road ahead won’t be easy. The Cougars now face a brutal early-season schedule, including matchups with Houston, Kansas, and a renewed rivalry showdown against Utah—all without their projected stars.Only time will tell if this BYU squad can rise from the ashes, but one thing is certain: the 2025-26 season just got a lot more interesting.
