Locked On Cougars - Daily Podcast On BYU Cougars Football & Basketball Locked On Podcast Network

The BYU Cougars are well aware of what the outside perception of Kalani Sitake and his BYU football program is and they are embracing the underdog role as they prepare to enter their second season as members of the Big 12 Conference and Jake Hatch says the feeling around the players and coaches is one of optimism and motivation to prove their doubters wrong.

Jake then talked about the addition of Cole Cogshell to the 2025 recruiting class as he figures to add to a burgeoning group of BYU defensive linemen under the tutelage of defensive coordinator Jay Hill and Cogshell's upside shows he could be a solid contributor whether he's working with Kelly Poppinga or Sione Po'uha on the BYU defensive line.

Finally, the show wrapped up with some notes on the Doman family legacy carrying on at Brigham Young University (BYU) with Jackson Doman announcing he will become a BYU Cougar and mark the 23rd member of the extended Doman family to suit up in Provo and LaVell Edwards Stadium once he returns from his mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

The BYU Cougars wrapped up a busy recruting weekend for Kalani Sitake and the BYU football program with three verbal commitments, led by Sultana, California four-star prospect LaMason Waller, who picked Brigham Young University (BYU) as his destination despite interest from the biggest names in college football and Fesi Sitake played a big role in securing his pledge.

Jake Hatch then talked about the addition of Alpharette, Georgia tight end prospect Tucker Kelleher, who has been labeled a "project" in some circles but Jake argues that Kelleher is the right type of project if you want to label him that with his elite size for the position and helping BYU continue to mine talent out of the Peach State as they build a pipeline in the Deep South.

Finally, La Habra, California two-way prospect Ulavai Fetuli completed the trio of commitments for BYU over the weekend and whether he plays for Kevin Gilbride or Kelly Poppinga, his addition is a win-win for Aaron Roderick or Jay Hill and Kenneth Rooks and James Corrigan shined on the USA Olympic Team qualifying stage and Cooper Jones showed out on the Korn Ferry Tour.

The BYU Cougars are holding their biggest official visit weekend of the offseason as Kalani Sitake and the BYU football program welcome more than a dozen prospects to Brigham Young University (BYU) this weekend to get a feel for the school, community and the football program as they go about determining where they will play in the college ranks.

Jake Hatch then talked about the BYU men's basketball program as he discussed what he thinks Kevin Young may do with the starting lineup of a deep and talented BYU basketball roster along with where KYU may look to fill his final scholarship on the roster and what the expectations are for BYU hoops in the Big 12 Conference this fall and beyond.

Finally, the show wrapped up with listener questions about the BYU football program and the recruiting philosophy that Kalani Sitake and his staff are taking, what top prospects like Brock Harris' chances of landing in Provo are, why Tom Holmoe isn't schedulign seven or eight home games at LaVell Edwards Stadium and more.

The BYU Cougars are happy to be members of the Big 12 Conference and if the league intends to expand as commissioner Brett Yormark has alluded to, Brigham Young University (BYU) would likely be more content with western expansion to make for more balanced travel against having to travel extensively to the east coat to play ACC schools.

If Washington State and Oregon State joined the Big 12, it would mark a significant expansion for the conference, enhancing its geographic footprint, competitive balance, and overall appeal. Integrating these Pacific Northwest schools would bring unique benefits and challenges, fundamentally reshaping the Big 12's landscape.

Financially, the Big 12 would benefit from increased media rights and sponsorship opportunities due to its expanded market presence. The addition of Washington State and Oregon State could lead to renegotiated television contracts, potentially boosting revenue for all member schools. However, the conference would need to carefully manage the distribution of resources to ensure competitive equity and maintain the quality of athletic and academic programs.

If Washington State and Oregon State joined the Big 12, the conference would experience significant geographic, competitive, cultural, and financial enhancements. While the transition would come with logistical challenges, the overall benefits would position the Big 12 as a more robust and nationally influential conference, enriching the college football landscape with new rivalries, expanded reach, and diverse competitive opportunities.

BYU football is looking to bounce back in 2024 with a bowl eligible season and Jake Hatch joined Drake Toll to break down how the Kalani Sitake and BYU would accomplish the feat, likely requiring the Cougars to clean up in the non-conference against the SMU Mustangs and Wyoming Cowboys as well as topping conference foes like the Baylor Bears, Arizona State Sun Devils and Houston Cougars to get to the six-win plateau.

Finally, the show wrapped up with some thoughts on what player(s) will be required for BYU to elevate themselves this fall as Jake highlighted LJ Martin as a player to watch along with Darius Lassiter and Keanu Hill while the quarterback derby between Jake Retzlaff, Gerry Bohanon and McCae Hillstead will need to sort itself out to give BYU their best chances to win.

The BYU Cougars are enjoying a level of fame nationally that's unusual and special as Kevin Young has put the BYU men's basketball on the map seemingly for college basketball's leading voices as he continues to build out his BYU basketball roster and looks to show what he can accomplish at Brigham Young University.

Jake Hatch then shared some insights on KYU from a source who explains that Young's demeanor and nature a sa coach stands in stark contrast to many of his contemporaries in the college hoops universe and will help him standout as he seeks to build a lasting success at BYU and in the uber competitive Big 12 Conference.

Finally, the show wrapped up with a look at what Lamason Waller could offer to BYU football as his official visit to BYU happens this week and leading college football recruiting experts are predicting that he will end up signing with Kalani Sitake's program, giving Fesi Sitake and Aaron Roderick another talented pass-catcher to utilize if the projection is correct.

The BYU Cougars appear to be on the verge of adding another elite talent to the BYU men's basketball program as Top-40 prospect Kanon Catchings is nearing a commitment decision and sources have told Jake Hatch that Kevin Young and the BYU basketball program appear to be in prime position to add Catchings immense talent to their Big 12 Conference roster.

Jake then talked about the debate being raised of if Brigham Young University (BYU) is on its way to becoming a "basketball school" after spending the better part of the past five decades-plus as a "football school" and while the debate is a valid one to have it appears to be premature to say that transition is occuring when KYU hasn't even taken the court in the Big 12 yet.

Finally, the show wrapped up with some thoughts on the official addition of Egor Demin to the BYU hoops roster as Jake explains that Demin could end up being the most-talented and celebrated player in a decade if his talent and hype is real as gets ready to lead BYU into their second Big 12 campaign ahead of a potential Top-10 selection in the NBA Draft in 2025.