There has been a lot of BYU football played between today, June 10, 2026, and the beginning of the 2020s. Five seasons' worth, in fact. Hopefully that doesn't make you feel old -- maybe it's only doing that to me, because I was born in the 21st century, making me something of a fetus when it comes to producing historical content about BYU athletics.
Am I getting to self-reflective? I bet you've already skimmed to the list anyway.
But through the 2020s, BYU football hosted a number of incredible athletes all over the field. There are a million criteria to consider for a player's overall legacy with a program, and I plan to take the following into account when ranking the countless qualified candidates. Winning, production, national and local impact.
A 5-player list is limiting by design -- this is for the best of the best -- but I'll be sure to list a few honorable mentions who deserve recognition for incredible careers, though they'll be sadly off the list this time around.
1. Zach Wilson, QB, 2018-2020
Zach Wilson is the obvious pick at number one, with all due respect to the legends beneath him. Yes, he was the number-two pick in the NFL Draft, and yes, he's become somewhat infamous for not meeting expectations at the next level, but in 2020, Wilson was so great that he nearly pushed the team into the four-team College Football Playoff as an independant (just a few more inches, and they would have gotten Coastal Carolina). Zach put BYU football on the map during the Covid-altered 2020 campaign, and kicked BYU's streak of NFL quarterback entrants back into gear.
2. Tyler Allgeier, RB, 2018-2021
Tyler Allgeier was an absolute force of nature during his time at BYU. A player who could single-handedly barrel through the helpless defense and drive the team forward play after play. He'll never be forgotten for his immaculate 5-touchdown game against Bronco Mendenhall and the Virginia Cavaliers, nor will he be forgotten for the bonkers highlight reels his yards after contact produced alone.
3. Jaren Hall, QB, 2018-2022
Jaren Hall was disserviced by following Zach Wilson with the Cougars, and it's easy to forget that Hall was likewise drafted in the NFL following his junior season. Hall was a phenominal leader with the team, and the talented arm that snapped BYU's losing streak against Utah, took down JT Daniels and the top-25 ASU Sun Devils, and toppled top-10 Baylor as an independent.
4. Jakob Robinson, CB, 2021-2024
Robinson was as dynamic of a cornerback as you'll see at BYU. An All-Big 12 honoree, and 2nd in program history in career interceptions since 2000. Robinson was a force, and likely a lure to incoming stars like Therrian Alexander III and Evan Johnson, who terrorize defenses today.
5. LJ Martin, RB, 2023-present
What more is there to say about LJ Martin, the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year and one of the best running backs in the country as a junior? He's the workhorse of today's BYU football offense, and the steady hand in the backfield to ease the mind of Bear Bachmeier -- constantly standing as a great option to hand the ball off to and let him work. A power back, much like Allgeier, LJ Martin projects to be rushing the football for years to come. The only reason he isn't higher on this list is that his story with BYU football is still unfinished.
Honorable mentions: Brady Christensen, Tyler Batty, Jack Kelly, Isaiah Glasker, Bear Bachmeier, Chase Roberts, Darius Lassiter, Evan Johnson, Jake Retzlaff
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