BYU Emerges as Big 12’s Dark Horse Contender After Landing Five-Star Quarterback
In a move that has sent tremors through the college football landscape, BYU has landed its most significant recruit in program history: five-star quarterback Jalen Reyes, a dual-threat phenom out of Frisco, Texas. The 6-foot-3, 215-pound gunslinger officially committed to the Cougars late Thursday night in a dramatic announcement streamed live on ESPN, capping weeks of speculation and a fierce recruiting battle that included Oregon, Texas A&M, and even SEC powerhouse Georgia.
For head coach Kalani Sitake and offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick, this marks a transformative moment for a program already surging in the new-look Big 12. Since officially joining the conference in 2023, BYU has quickly shed its reputation as a plucky independent and evolved into a legitimate contender—armed with depth, infrastructure, and now, elite quarterback talent.
“Jalen Reyes isn’t just the best quarterback we’ve ever recruited—he’s the kind of leader who can change the trajectory of an entire program,” Sitake said in a post-commitment press conference. “This is a signal to the rest of the Big 12: we’re not here to play catch-up. We’re here to lead.”
Reyes, ranked No. 8 nationally by 247Sports and No. 2 among dual-threat QBs, threw for over 4,000 yards and 42 touchdowns during his senior season at Lone Star High, while adding another 1,100 yards and 14 scores on the ground. Known for his poised decision-making, laser-precise deep ball, and off-script creativity, scouts have compared him to a young C.J. Stroud with the mobility of Jalen Hurts.
But what stunned recruiting analysts was not just that Reyes chose BYU—it’s why.
“People thought he was a lock for the SEC,” said ESPN’s Tom Luginbill. “But Reyes saw something in Provo. He saw a system built to maximize his skillset, a staff he trusted, and a program with a chip on its shoulder and something to prove.”
Reyes cited BYU’s recent quarterback success—particularly Zach Wilson’s meteoric rise to the NFL—as a key factor. “Coach Roderick knows how to develop QBs. The offense is explosive, smart, and NFL-friendly,” Reyes said. “But more than that, I believe in building something special. I didn’t want to just join a powerhouse—I wanted to help create one.”
Indeed, the Cougars are quietly assembling a roster that could make serious noise in the Big 12. Last season’s 9–4 campaign included back-to-back wins over Texas Tech and Baylor, and a near-upset of Oklahoma in a game that saw BYU outgain the Sooners in total yards. With a loaded 2025 recruiting class and Reyes headlining the charge, BYU is positioned to be a true disruptor in a conference searching for its next alpha in the post-Texas/Oklahoma era.
“We’ve always believed,” said athletic director Tom Holmoe. “Now, the rest of the country is starting to believe, too.”
With Reyes expected to enroll early and compete for the starting job in spring 2026, buzz is already building in Provo. Ticket inquiries spiked 400% overnight, and NIL collectives are preparing new campaigns to leverage the program’s rising national profile.
The Big 12 may have welcomed BYU quietly. But with Jalen Reyes leading the charge, the Cougars aren’t just knocking at the door anymore—they’re ready to kick it down.
