Episode Details

Panic is spreading through the BYU men's basketball program’s fanbase as the Cougars strike out on another crucial center. Michael Ružić has chosen LSU over BYU, despite boosters previously vowing, “We won’t be outbid” in NIL battles. Now, all eyes are on Luigi Suigo, who remains in NBA Draft consideration and reportedly leans toward Villanova if he returns to college ball. Can Kevin Young pivot the Cougars’ recruiting efforts in time to secure a 6'10"+ rim protector, or will lack of interior presence undermine BYU’s Big 12 ambitions? The show dissects the ongoing center search, pointing out that nearly every major transfer or international big man target—save for walk-on add Adam Stewart—has eluded BYU, leaving only open questions and mounting urgency as offseason windows close.

On the gridiron, the energy is completely different. BYU Football scores two significant recruiting victories, signaling a bright future for Kalani Sitake’s program. The headline grabber is Maa'imoa Havili, a defensive tackle out of Granger High School whose ascent has been meteoric—jumping from two small offers at the month’s start to fielding overtures from Cal, Michigan, North Carolina, Alabama, and Utah. Despite blue-blood attention, Moa sticks with his “dream school,” BYU, planning to serve a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints before enrolling in 2029. Paired with four-star Justin Williams, Havili gives BYU its best defensive tackle commits in a decade and underlines how Sitake, Kelly Poppinga, and Sione Po'uha are winning key recruiting battles and raising the talent floor for future Big 12 challenges.

Meanwhile, Aaron Roderick addresses quarterback depth with the under-the-radar addition of John Sanders—a junior college QB out of Antelope Valley College with three years of eligibility. While Bear Bachmeier is firmly entrenched as QB1, Sanders’s mobility, live arm, and willingness to start as a depth piece give BYU much-needed insurance and keep the scholarship QB room full. The podcast explores the new scholarship rules, the importance of building for both short- and long-term depth, and how JUCO finds like Sanders mirror the pathway of former starter Jake Retzlaff.

BYU’s basketball and football programs are moving in opposite directions: one scrambling to fill a gaping hole at center, the other stacking talent and building toward playoff contention. Will Kevin Young’s international search pull in the missing piece, or does BYU Basketball risk falling behind? How high can Sitake’s recruiting take Cougar Football? Get all the in-depth analysis, player spotlights, and recruiting news that every BYU diehard craves.

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Jake Hatch brings you daily coverage of the BYU Cougars with the Locked On Cougars Podcast. Locked On Cougars brings BYU fans the latest news and comprehensive coverage when it comes to the BYU football and basketball programs as well as a look at the other teams in the BYU athletic department. Jake gives you his unique insights and insider information about the Cougs as they continue "on the trail to fame and glory" every weekday, along with interviews with players, coaches, experts, and alumni that you wil