{"podcast":{"title":"Locked On Cougars - Daily Podcast On BYU Cougars Football & Basketball","slug":"locked-on-cougars-daily-podcast-on-byu-cougars-football-basketball-935433","podcast_index_feed_id":935433,"rss_url":"https://feeds.simplecast.com/DzohBBeS","website_url":"https://lockedonpodcasts.com/podcasts/locked-on-cougars/","image_url":"https://image.simplecastcdn.com/images/df3adc55-2f40-437c-852e-1d8b8122e2c6/9873a81e-a3e6-40ed-abc0-5eaa98fb252b/3000x3000/uploads-2f1551454891425-ddohj0rpsy4-f9736b580ccbe9f4ca3289ff57ab7618-2flocked-on-cougars-podcast-bg-new.jpg?aid=rss_feed","author":"Locked On Podcast Network","episode_count":500,"summary":"Locked On Cougars podcast is the daily podcast that keeps you ahead of the games and the first to know the latest news, analysis, and insider info for the BYU Cougars. Hosted by Jake Hatch, the Locked On Cougars podcast provides your daily BYU Cougars fix with Jake’s unique insights and insider information as he provides expert opinions, film reviews, interviews, recaps, local analysis, and coverage of all things BYU Cougars. From the thrilling games at LaVell Edwards Stadium to hoop heaven’s Marriott Center and everywhere in between, the Locked On Cougars podcast takes you beyond the headlines for the inside scoops from the biggest stories inside the Cougars locker room and the Big 12. The Locked On Cougars podcast is part of the Locked On Podcast Network. Your Team. Every Day.","last_synced_at":"2026-06-26T16:22:06.688640+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/locked-on-cougars-daily-podcast-on-byu-cougars-football-basketball-935433"},"episode":{"title":"Why Kalani Sitake NEVER WANTED to Leave BYU & Remains Committed to Leading BYU Football to CFP Glory | Keanu Tanuvasa Expects Big Season Ahead","slug":"why-kalani-sitake-never-wanted-to-leave-byu-remains-committed-to-leading-byu-football-to-cfp-glory-keanu-tanuvasa-expects-big-season-ahead","published_at":"2026-05-18T07:00:00+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/locked-on-cougars-daily-podcast-on-byu-cougars-football-basketball-935433/why-kalani-sitake-never-wanted-to-leave-byu-remains-committed-to-leading-byu-football-to-cfp-glory-keanu-tanuvasa-expects-big-season-ahead","show_page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/locked-on-cougars-daily-podcast-on-byu-cougars-football-basketball-935433","url":"https://lockedonpodcasts.com/podcasts/locked-on-cougars/","audio_url":"https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/pdrl.fm/63a296/lockedon.simplecastaudio.com/df3adc55-2f40-437c-852e-1d8b8122e2c6/episodes/321a267c-5150-47a6-9e02-8a8ea370da61/audio/128/default.mp3?aid=rss_feed&awCollectionId=df3adc55-2f40-437c-852e-1d8b8122e2c6&awEpisodeId=321a267c-5150-47a6-9e02-8a8ea370da61&feed=DzohBBeS","summary":"Kalani Sitake's commitment to BYU football just sent shockwaves through Cougar Nation. Despite tempting overtures from Penn State and eye-popping contract rumors topping $9 million a year, Sitake doubled down on his vision for the Cougars: national prominence and a real shot at the College Football Playoff. Is BYU now one of the Big 12’s teams to beat, and what does Sitake's loyalty mean for the program’s culture, recruiting, and postseason aspirations? Jake Hatch breaks down the inside story behind BYU’s successful push to keep Sitake, including key figures like Jason McGowan from Crumbl and other power players who helped secure the program’s heartbeat. The discussion highlights Sitake’s deep-rooted connection to Provo, his desire to lead BYU—not just to conference championships but to national contention—and the almost immediate domino effect had he left for Happy Valley. Jake Hatch explores the potential roster upheaval, recruiting losses, and what might have been a program-defining setback, pointing out how stability at the top has set the Cougars up for future success in the Big 12 and beyond. Exclusive player perspectives take center stage, as Keanu Tanuvasa joins the show to explain his surprise return to BYU. Originally planning to be a one-and-done with eyes on the NFL, Tanuvasa details the soul-searching and draft feedback that brought him back, including how playing out of position affected his performance and pro prospects. He discusses teaming with Justin Kirkland to form what could be the Big 12’s most formidable defensive tackle duo, and what it means to step up as a leader—hosting team events, building unity, and even sharing the spotlight with his father, now a team chaplain. Tanuvasa offers insight into defensive coordinator Kelly Poppinga’s system tw…","meta_description":"Kalani Sitake's commitment to BYU football just sent shockwaves through Cougar Nation. Despite tempting overtures from Penn State and eye-popping contract…","key_points":[],"chapters":[],"topics":[],"duration_seconds":1754,"processing_state":"not_requested","actions":[{"name":"request_transcript","method":"POST","url":"https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/locked-on-cougars-daily-podcast-on-byu-cougars-football-basketball-935433/episodes/why-kalani-sitake-never-wanted-to-leave-byu-remains-committed-to-leading-byu-football-to-cfp-glory-keanu-tanuvasa-expects-big-season-ahead/transcription-requests","description":"Idempotently request low-priority transcript generation for this episode."},{"name":"read_markdown","method":"GET","url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/locked-on-cougars-daily-podcast-on-byu-cougars-football-basketball-935433/why-kalani-sitake-never-wanted-to-leave-byu-remains-committed-to-leading-byu-football-to-cfp-glory-keanu-tanuvasa-expects-big-season-ahead.md","description":"Read the agent-friendly Markdown representation of this episode resource."}]}}