2 Beehive State transfers that BYU basketball should target in the portal

BYU basketball's disappointing season wasn't the fault of superstar AJ Dybantsa, returning All-Big 12 honoree Richie Saunders, or 5-star transfer Rob Wright III. The biggest flaw in Kevin Young's 2025-26 roster was with one detail: depth. Or, in the Cougars' case, a lack of depth sank this year's squad.

With no disrespect to the likes of Tyler Mrus, Kennard Davis, Keba Keita, Abdullah Ahmed, and the rest of the Big 3's supporting cast, there simply wasn't enough talent to support beneath the larger structure to hold the weight of this team's lofty expectations.

Too few shooters, too little defense, and almost zero pressure release from AJ Dybantsa's absurd usage rate left BYU's roster shallow, unbalanced, and helpless against more well-rounded teams in the postseason. Blame injuries all you like, but this year's team was helpless without Saunders, Pickens, and Baker. The severe lack of depth was fatal.

Recruiting and transfer portal support will be at the top of Kevin Young's grocery list during recruiting season.

The good news? Many excellent options have made themselves available right in Cosmo's backyard: the state of Utah. Here are two players who can help carry BYU basketball over the hump in 2026-27.

Top 2 transfer prospects in the State of Utah

Jackson Holcombe, Utah Valley

UVU athletics has been anything but uneventful this season -- mostly for the wrong reasons. Issues with the university's exit from the WAC nearly ended the Wolverines' season before the postseason even began, and when they did finally play, it was a missed dunk attempt that kept UVU out of the NCAA Tournament despite being the top seed.

I completely understand why a player as good as Jackson Holcombe would want to venture elsewhere.

Standing at 6'7" and averaging 16.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 3.6 assists

Karson Templin, Utah State

The heartbeat and engine of BYU basketball, Richie Saunders, has played his final minutes of college basketball. Though Templin's counting stats don't necessarily jump off the page, his addition would be incredible for culture and energy in Kevin Young's locker room.

At 6'9", Templin gives 200% whenever he steps onto the court. A powerful and energetic presence off the bench, he's the type of player that has opponents looking over their shoulders, always anxious in anticipation of his endless hustle and energy-spiking dunks and blocks.

Great teams have a strong balance between their stars at the top and the role players holding them up. Templin will be a highly sought-after transfer prospect this offseason, and BYU should make a call to keep him in the Beehive State.

After Templin's star teammate Mason Falslev opted to stay in Logan last season, it's still unclear if the Aggies' coaching change will affect his decision this offseason.