The BYU Cougars will kick off the 2026 season in 15 days against Utah Tech. As we count down the days until kickoff, today we will profile the player who wears No. 15: redshirt senior cornerback Jayven Williams.
Jayven Williams's background
It's fair to say Jayven Williams took the road less traveled to Provo.
As a "zero-star" recruit coming out of high school, he didn't begin his career at the heights of college football, though he would get there eventually. He signed with Kennesaw State and spent three seasons with the Owls and played exceptionally well. Williams's play was so solid that it attracted the attention of the SEC's Mississippi State, and he transferred there in 2025.
Last year with the Bulldogs he proved he could hang at the upper levels of college football. In 2025 he appeared in 13 games for Mississippi State and recorded 18 tackles, two passes defended, and one interception. It wasn't a dominant season by any stretch of the imagination, but he earned playing time in the SEC and went up against some of the country's best talent on a weekly basis.
When he entered the transfer portal, 247 Sports rated him as a three-star transfer prospect with an 85 rating. That's probably fair for a player who contributed in the SEC, but didn't necessarily distinguish himself.
After one season at Mississippi State he decided to transfer to BYU, and if all goes according to plan he will play a key role in the Cougars secondary this season.
What to expect from Jayven Williams in 2026
This upcoming season is Williams's last hurrah in college football. As a redshirt senior he chose BYU for a reason, and that reason likely has to do with getting both the exposure and development he needs in order to chase an NFL future after his one year in Provo.
And the opportunity should be there for him in BYU's secondary.
While Evan Johnson and Therrian Alexander should start at corner this year, there is going to need to be a lot of depth behind them. At 6-foot-2 and 175 pounds, Jayven Williams fits the mold of lanky, rangy corners BYU has been stockpiling for the last several years. When the Cougars need to deploy multiple corners in pass coverage schemes, Williams could be the first man called upon after Johnson and Alexander.
Expect Jayven Williams to be on the field a lot in passing downs.
This is his last and final season of college football. He came to BYU for the exposure and development, and all indications are he will get just that in Provo.
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