The BYU Cougars will kick off the 2026 season in two days against Utah Tech. As we count down the days until kickoff, today we will profile the players who wear No. 2: junior tight end transfer Roger Saleapaga and redshirt sophomore cornerback Jonathan Kabeya.
Roger Saleapaga could be one of Bear Bachmeier's best friends
Despite his modest college stats thus far, Roger Saleapaga is a big, big deal. The Oregon transfer played his high school ball at Orem and was a 3-star prospect with an 89 grade, making him the No. 6 prospect in the state of Utah back in 2024.
He originally committed to Oregon and carved out a meaningful special teams role as a true freshman. Seeing the field as a freshman for the Ducks instead of redshirting highlights Saleapaga's potential. He appeared in 11 games in 2024 while recording two special teams tackles and recovering a fumble. He didn't catch any passes as a freshman.
Last year he was a contributor on an Oregon team that made the College Football Playoffs semifinals. He appeared in 15 games with three receptions for 26 yards and a touchdown. He also recorded three tackles last year.
He was a four-star transfer this year for a reason.
Now as a junior making his debut in Provo, Roger is expected to be a major part of BYU's offense. He has made a significant impact on BYU coaches and players alike since transferring in. While there will only be so many balls to go around between him and fellow tight end transfer Walker Lyons, there's no reason Saleapaga still can't produce a season like Carsen Ryan had last year.
Roger is too good, too talented, and in too good of a situation at BYU to not have a big season.
Jonathan Kabeya is a breakout candidate in 2026
Jonathan Kabeya prepped in Texas and was a three-star prospect with an 85 rating in the class of 2024. He turned down offers from the likes of Indiana, Texas Tech, Arizona State, and others to call Provo home.
And Kabeya's career got off to a quick start with the Cougars.
As a freshman in 2024 he appeared in nine games playing backup corner and getting some special teams work, registering four tackles and one pass defended. The 5-foot-10, 180-pound defensive back earned the trust of BYU's defensive coaching staff early, highlighting his long-term potential.
Last year his season got off to a slow start due to an injury in Fall Camp that limited him to just six games, though he started four of them. He debuted last year on October 18th against Utah and ended up recording 10 tackles and one pass defended on the season.
Coming into 2026 BYU is needing a healthy, consistent, productive season from Kabeya. Unfortunately, he has faced some injury issues this year as well but the hope is he will be fully healthy as the year goes on. He is slotted in to play a lot at nickel corner this year but will need to earn every rep. BYU's run defense should be stout given the strength of the team's front four and linebackers, so the secondary will be tested this year.
2026 should be the year Jonathan Kabeya goes from "good to great" as he takes on a big role in BYU's secondary.
Add us as a preferred source on Google