The BYU Cougars will kick off the 2026 season in 83 days against Utah Tech. As we count down the days until kickoff, today we will profile the player who wears No. 83 - redshirt sophomore tight end Will Zundel.
Will Zundel's background
The 6-foot-5, 240-pounder is a local product who prepped at American Fork High School, graduating in the class of 2021. He finished his high school career with modest numbers of 20 receptions for 433 yards and three touchdowns.
He was considered a "zero star" recruit and doesn't have a 247 Sports profile, which is something of a rarity for guys currently on BYU's loaded roster. Zundel wasn't a very highly-recruited prospect coming out of high school and signed with BYU as a preferred walk-on. It appears his only other offer was from Southern Virginia University.
Shortly after committing to the Cougs as a PWO back in 2021, he was interviewed by Casey Lundqusit and explained why he chose BYU. In summary, he's a "BYU guy". He told Lundquist he has watched BYU football his entire life and that he "dreamed" to play for BYU. Zundel also noted a number of family members with BYU ties, so playing in Provo likely felt natural and comfortable for him.
After high school he served a two-year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Angola, where he learned to speak Portuguese.
Zundel's past and present with BYU
Will Zundel is the selfless type of player every team needs. While his role up to this point hasn't been visible or glamorous, he nonetheless has done his job over the last two years. Most of his contributions have been on the scout team and on special teams, and his relatively overlooked efforts should be celebrated.
In his 2024 freshman season he was a scout team mainstay and didn't appear in any games. His coaches awarded him "Look Squad Player of the Week" before the SMU game and "Offensive Scout Team Player of the Week" leading up to the Wyoming game.
As fans, we only see the on-field product. We only see the players getting cheered by 60,000-plus fans at LaVell Edwards Stadium and getting interviewed on ESPN. We don't see the blood, sweat, and tears put in by scout team players. They put their bodies on the line to help the starters be better, more prepared, and ready for every opponent. It's the ultimate team-first role, and Will Zundel did it well.
His scout team work ethic paid off.
In 2025 he was promoted to special teams and ended up appearing in all 14 of the Cougars 12-2 campaign last year. He was credited with two special teams tackles. He was also named to the 2025 Fall Academic All-Big 12 Team.
As far as 2026 goes, he will likely continue contributing on special teams, and that's just fine for a PWO redshirt sophomore. There is a lot of talent ahead of him at tight end with transfers Walker Lyons and Roger Saleapaga and returning contributors like Keayen Nead and Noah Moeaki. With three full seasons still left to play, this will likely be another one where Will Zundel flies a bit under the radar.
Will Zundel joined BYU in 2021 as a preferred walk-on then served a mission.
As a freshman in 2024 he played on the scout team.
As a redshirt freshman in 2025 he was a mainstay on BYU's special teams.
Props to Will Zundel. These are types of team-first guys every good program needs.
Add us as a preferred source on Google