The 2025-26 BYU Cougars are beset by a severe lack of depth, a reality that was exacerbated with a rash of season-ending injuries, including a devastating one to premier bench scorer Dawson Baker. If Kevin Young's squad flames out early in the Big 12 and NCAA tournaments, this lack of depth could be the primary culprit.
As BYU struggles with this lack of depth, there are some players who at one point were part of the BYU family but decided to transfer. It would be nice to have at least a couple of these guys still wearing the royal blue this year. As the regular season begins to wind down, let's check in on how some former Cougars are doing with their new teams.
Dallin Hall, Virginia
Season stats: 24 Gs, 28.1 MPG, 5.7 PTS, 3.8 REB, 4.2 AST, 39.5% FG, 31.0% 3PT
After three seasons as BYU's reliable, stalwart point guard, Dallin Hall transferred to Virginia for his senior season of college basketball and it has been a great fit. Hall starts for the Cavaliers and provides a balanced stat line. He knows his role and does it very well, though his shooting percentages leave a little to be desired. Virginia is currently ranked No. 15 and Dallin is a vital part of their success. Had he stayed in Provo, he would have been sitting behind Robert Wright III and playing off-ball with BYU's more isolation offense, so he was smart to transfer when and where he did.
Kanon Catchings, Georgia
Season stats: 23 Gs, 23.4 MPG, 11.2 PTS, 5.0 REB, 1.4 AST, 42.5% FG, 35.0% 3PT
In hindsight, it's too bad this relationship couldn't be salvaged with Catchings staying in Provo. He came to BYU last year as the No. 41 prospect in the nation with aspirations to be a one-and-done NBA player, but it didn't play out like that. As a freshman last year he was often seemed out of position on defense if not outright confused about his assignments. Those defensive lapses combined with some streaky offense led to his role significantly diminishing by the end of the year.
Now, as a sophomore, he is starting and playing well for Georgia. He has been on a tear over his last 10 games, averaging 14.9 points on 45.6% field goals and a blistering 45.9% from the 3-point line, hitting 28 of his last 61 attempts from deep. Provided he has grown as a defender, Kanon Catchings has the scoring punch and 3-point shooting that BYU is severely lacking to bolster the "Big Three" of AJ Dybantsa, Richie Saunders, and Robert Wright III.
Aly Khalifa, Louisville
Season stats: 24 Gs, 12.4 MPG, 3.6 PTS, 2.0 REB, 2.7 AST, 44.3% FT, 42.6% 3PT
The Egyptian Magician only spent the 2023-24 season in Provo, but he quickly became a fan favorite with his dazzling passing skills, averaging 4.0 assists in just 19.6 minutes per game. But after one year in Provo, he transferred to Louisville and sat out all of last season recovering from surgery. Now healthy, he is a key part of No. 24 Louisville's rotation. In a reserve role he does a bit of everything, including maintaining his high assists-per-minute ratio. Aly's 3-point shooting at 42.6% on 2.0 attempts per game is a huge step forward in his offensive game to supplement his brilliant passing.
Tanner Toolson, TCU
Season stats: 24 Gs, 24.1 MPG, 7.7 PTS, 2.9 REB, 0.8 AST, 39.0% FG, 28.6% 3PT
The Toolson name is synonymous with BYU, and Tanner once wore the royal blue. As a freshman in the 2022-23 season, he appeared in six games for the Cougars before transferring to Utah Valley. After two years at UVU, he joined the TCU Horned Frogs this season and has carved out a role as a key reserve. His 7.7 points per game are important on a TCU team that's in the middle of the pack in the Big 12 and still competing for a spot in the NCAA Tournament.
Marcus Adams Jr., Arizona State
Season stats: 14 Gs, 11.7 MPG, 3.6 PTS, 2.4 REB, 0.2 AST, 34.1% FT, 29.6% 3PT
The No. 51 prospect in the class of 2023 had a turbulent freshman year with multiple commitments and de-commitments before finally landing at BYU. He only played in one game as a freshman in Provo due to injury, then personal circumstances prompted a transfer to Cal State Northridge last year. Adams transferred to Arizona State this season and was a contributor off the bench before suffering a leg injury in early January that has limited him to 14 games.