“THE GHOST RETURNS”: Legendary BYU QB Zach Wilson Spotted Training with Cougars — Is a Comeback Brewing in Provo?
By Mason Whitaker – Mountain West Insider | June 23, 2025
PROVO, UTAH — The echoes of a storied past stirred to life on Monday morning as Zach Wilson, the former BYU superstar and No. 2 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, was spotted throwing passes and participating in quarterback drills at the Cougars’ practice facility. Dressed in BYU gear and with his trademark headband pulled low, Wilson looked every bit like the Provo legend who once led the Cougars to an 11–1 season and a No. 11 national finish in 2020.
But this wasn’t a casual visit.
Sources inside the BYU program confirmed to ESPN that Wilson has been training with current Cougar quarterbacks and working directly with head coach Kalani Sitake and offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick over the past several weeks. The sighting has ignited a frenzy of speculation: Is Zach Wilson plotting a return to BYU? And if so, in what capacity?
> “Zach’s presence isn’t just symbolic,” said one staff member on condition of anonymity. “He’s locked in, coaching guys, running advanced installs, even jumping in on reps during 7-on-7. This doesn’t feel like a publicity stop—it feels like something’s brewing.”
Wilson’s NFL journey has been rocky. After being drafted by the New York Jets in 2021, he endured three tumultuous seasons filled with turnover, media scrutiny, and inconsistent play. A trade to the Denver Broncos in 2024 offered a reset, but limited playing time and a crowded quarterback room left Wilson sidelined for most of the year.
Now, just 25 years old and fully healthy, Wilson seems to be at a crossroads. While there’s been no official word from his camp, his return to Provo has sparked intense rumors of a potential NCAA eligibility appeal—possibly through the graduate transfer exception, medical hardship, or as part of a mentorship player-coach hybrid role, now allowed under evolving NCAA rules for returning professionals.
> “Zach loves BYU,” Coach Sitake said in a brief press statement. “He’ll always have a home here. Right now, he’s here to support and develop the next wave of quarterbacks—but we’re open to wherever this journey takes us.”
Wilson, who once passed for over 3,600 yards and 33 touchdowns in a single season, remains one of the most talented signal-callers ever to wear a Cougar uniform. His iconic 2020 campaign included highlight-reel throws, masterful pocket presence, and the swagger that made him a household name nationwide. Many BYU fans believe he’s still got more football left—and they’re not alone.
> “If Zach wants to play again, someone’s going to give him that shot,” said ESPN analyst Robert Griffin III. “He looks sharp, he’s matured, and he’s back in a system that brings out the best in him. BYU might just be the perfect place for a football resurrection.”
Whether Wilson returns to the field in a jersey or steps onto the sideline in a headset, one thing is certain: The Ghost of Provo is back—and Cougar Nation is buzzing.
