Episode

SPECIAL TEAMS SHAKEUP: Can BYU’s Specialists STEP UP & PERFORM With Complete & Total Roster OVERHAUL

Podcast: Locked On Cougars - Daily Podcast On BYU Cougars Football & Basketball
Published: May 9, 2026
Duration seconds: 482
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Summary

BYU football faces a complete overhaul of its special teams unit following the departure of several standout veterans. The success of the Cougars' Big 12 campaign may hinge on whether this unproven group can maintain the program's high standard of execution.

Topics

BYU Football
Special Teams
Big 12 Conference
College Football Coaching
Justin Ena
Kalani Sitake
Player Development
BYU Cougars

Highlights

Main idea: The departure of key specialists like Will Ferrin and Sam Vanderhaar leaves a massive void in BYU's third phase of the game
Failure mode: Mistakes in the specialist unit, such as botched snaps or missed field goals, carry disproportionate visibility and impact on game outcomes
Practical takeaway: New coordinator Justin Ena brings NFL-level experience to help stabilize a roster of unproven players
Main idea: A three-way battle is underway between Matthias Dunn, Ian Sanchez, and Brody Laga to secure the starting kicker role
Risk factor: The absence of Parker Kingston creates significant uncertainty regarding the team's kick and punt return dynamics

Chapters

0:40 The Importance of the Third Phase: Why special teams are a critical pillar for BYU's offensive and defensive success.
2:00 The High Stakes of Specialization: The unique pressure on specialists where errors are highly visible and costly.
2:40 New Leadership: Justin Ena: Analyzing the transition from Kelly Poppinga to Justin Ena as special teams coordinator.
3:20 The Battle for the Kicking Spot: A look at the competition between Dunn, Sanchez, and the returning Laga.
4:00 Return Game Uncertainty: The impact of Parker Kingston's departure on BYU's return game strategy.
6:00 Leveraging NFL Pedigree: How Justin Ena's professional background can help develop young specialists.
8:00 Building New Legends: The potential for new players to become household names through impactful plays.