Fresh off an 11-win campaign, one would think a similar level of success would be a given for a BYU football program that has finally broken out as a force on the national scale. Last season highlighted a share of the Big 12 regular season championship, a 13th-overall ranking according to the College Football Playoff selection committee, and a dominant Alamo Bowl win over conference peer Colorado.
So yeah, the team is strong. They should expect to be back near the double-digit win milestone again in 2025, right? Well, as you already know if you've been around the sun enough times, there are zero guarantees within the confines of the gridiron.
Injuries, mistakes, and humiliation are almost certain to rear their hideous face at one point or another during the 12-game gauntlet. The course of the year will change direction. The shape of the depth chart may not remain consistent, either. But one thing can deliver certainty in the realm of confusion. One factor can keep the ship stable even in riotous waters. That factor? Returning players.
Coaching can take you a long way, and BYU has the luxury of experienced and long-tenured staff leading the charge from behind the scenes. But experience on the field of play? That's invaluable to a football team hoping to gut out some tight wins through the year.
The Cougars return plenty of talent this year, and they're going to need their returners to deliver every week for a chance to replicate last year's success.
3 key returning players for BYU football
Chase Roberts - WR
Roberts is a redshirt senior whose 2024 production was likely strong enough to creep into the NFL ranks. His decision to return gentrifies the wide receiving corps for a freshman starting quarterback.
As excited as most are to see Bear Bachmeier make plays from the backfield, remaining cautious about expectations is critical with a newcomer to the FBS as a whole. Some passes won't be on target or on time, so Roberts will need to be a playmaker downfield.
He's a big-bodied, sure-handed, and level-headed athlete. BYU will need minimal mistakes from their senior wide-out this season.
Jack Kelly - LB
Kelly got plenty of NFL looks during an exceptional season in '24. The Weber State transfer followed the trail Coach Jay Hill blazed from Ogden to Provo, and both have benefitted tremendously from the other's presence.
Strong defense kept the Cougars in contention for many games when the offense failed to convert. Again, with a freshman quarterback on the other side of the ball, the defense needs a leader to orchestrate an outstanding counterattack. Kelly is that guy.
Built like a bowling ball, he crashes through gaps in the offensive line like they're bowling pins on his way to his target. Pressure the QB, organize the defense, and play smart. His athleticism and taste for defensive violence will handle the rest.
LJ Martin - RB
LJ Martin is expected to open the offense this year. A strong running game is an offense's best friend. If the other team can't stop the run, they have almost no chance of resisting the pass. LJ Martin, in his third season, may be one of the most dynamic rushers in the Big 12 Conference, and BYU is going to need him to be.
Last season was poised to be a breakout year for the half back, but an early injury slowed him down early. This year, he'll be off the chain and looking to cause trouble at the second level of the defense.