Kalani Sitake Provides Insights on 2025 Team, Quarterback Situation, and 2026 Recruiting Class
PROVO, UT – BYU Head Coach Kalani Sitake recently offered an extensive update on the state of his program, touching on the upcoming 2025 season, the crucial quarterback battle, and the impressive strides being made in the 2026 recruiting class. Despite navigating the complexities of the modern college football landscape, Sitake remains bullish on his team’s trajectory.
The quarterback situation for 2025 remains a significant talking point, particularly in light of recent developments surrounding Jake Retzlaff. While Sitake, along with BYU President C. Shane Reese and Athletic Director Brian Santiago, have deferred to the university’s official statement regarding a civil lawsuit involving Retzlaff, Sitake’s comments imply confidence in the team’s overall quarterback depth. He has consistently emphasized the importance of competition at every position, stating, “We want competition at every position… the competition will make sure that you get the best guys playing.” This suggests that should a change at the position be necessary, the Cougars are prepared to adapt.
Looking ahead to the 2025 team, Sitake expressed strong optimism. He reiterated his belief that the players haven’t let their impressive 2024 success go to their heads. In fact, he noted a driving force within the team to go the “extra mile” in offseason workouts, stemming from a belief that they could have achieved even more than their 11-2 record. This internal motivation, coupled with a largely intact coaching staff and strategic transfer portal additions, has Sitake feeling “great about the team” and the leadership within the program. Observers are also noting BYU’s developing physical and aggressive culture, particularly on defense, which is expected to pose problems for Big 12 opponents.
On the recruiting front, Sitake and his staff are making significant waves with the 2026 class. BYU’s current 2026 class is shaping up to be one of the best in program history, featuring multiple highly-rated commits, including top-100 national recruits like tight end Brock Harris and offensive lineman Bott Mulitalo. Sitake acknowledged the increased administrative tasks for head coaches in the NIL and transfer portal era but emphasized the importance of adapting and building strong relationships. The early success in 2026 recruiting is a testament to the “BYU is cool again” vibe, bolstered by their 2024 success and robust NIL support, allowing Sitake to “do more with more” in attracting top talent to Provo.
