The BYU Cougars are a collegiate football team that was founded in 1922. They won 23 conference titles and one national championship in 1984.
During its existence, the club has participated in a number of different athletic leagues; from 2011 to 2022, it was an FBS Independent. The Big 12 Conference unanimously decided to accept BYU's conference application in September 2021 and they became members of the Big 12 in mid-2023.
LaVell Edwards Stadium is named for the team's head coach, who won one national championship (1984), seven bowl games, and 19 conference titles during his time as BYU's coach.
As of April 2024, the Cougars' head coach is Kalani Sitake, in his eighth season. He played under LaVell Edwards and signed a contract with the Cincinnati Bengals in 2001; however, his career was cut short due to an injury and he began coaching.
In the 2023 NFL draft, three Cougars were drafted, with offensive tackle Blake Freeland going to the Indianapolis Colts in the fourth round as the fourth pick. Followed by the fifth round, in which quarterback Jaren Hall was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings as the 29th pick and wide receiver Puka Nanua by the Los Angeles Rams as the 42nd pick.
BYU Cougars History
The history of BYU football dates back to the late 1800s, when Brigham Young Academy was a school; in 1892, Benjamin Cluff was appointed as its third principal. Cluff's decision to introduce sports competitions to Brigham Young was influenced by his time spent studying at the University of Michigan. The school was turned into a university in 1903.
Football was reinstated at BYU in 1919 following a 20-year prohibition, and intercollegiate play began again in 1920 under head coach Alvin Twitchell. After being accepted into the Rocky Mountain Conference in 1921, BYU experienced its first successful season in 1929 under the guidance of coach G. Ott Romney.
One of the Cougars' best seasons ever was 1932, when they finished with an 8-1 record and outscored their opponents 188-50. Due to World War II, the university was unable to field a team from 1943 until 1945, and in 1949, they experienced their first losing season, finishing 0–11.
Midway through the 1950s, the team started to rebuild, bringing in University of Rhode Island head coach Hal Kopp to guide the Cougars, who won back-to-back titles in 1957 and 1958 under the play of nose tackle Gavin Anae and southpaw quarterback Jared Stephens.
LaVell Edwards, an assistant coach, succeeded Hudspeth as head coach in 1972. Cougar Pete Van Valkenburg became the top rusher in the country that year as a result of the drop-back passing game that Edwards and his staff implemented.
BYU was dubbed "Quarterback U" for its consistent production of All-American quarterbacks, such as Gifford Nielsen, Marc Wilson, Jim McMahon, and Steve Young. BYU would go on to win its bowl games in 1981, 1983, and 1984. In this time frame, McMahon placed third in 1981 and Young placed second in 1983 in the Heisman.
As the only undefeated and untied team in the country, BYU achieved the ultimate title in college football in 1984 when it was named the national champion. After defeating Pitt (3-7-1), then ranked third in the country, 20-14, the unbeaten Cougars (12-0-0) went on to upset the Michigan Wolverines (6-5-0) to round out the season.
BYU Cougars No. 1 Draft Picks
As of April 2024, and in BYU Cougars’ 102-year-old history, they have never had a No. 1 draft pick. However, the Cougars have Steve Young as their first overall pick, but in supplemental drafts in 1984, which cannot be considered an annual draft.
Zach Wilson, the quarterback for BYU football, was chosen by the New York Jets with the second overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft—the highest pick in BYU football history. The previous record for highest draft selections from BYU belonged to Jim McMahon (1982 Chicago Bears) and Ezekial Ansah (2013) Detroit Lions; both players were selected fifth overall in the draft.
Wilson broke several records at BYU with his second overall pick; he was the first BYU player to be selected in the draft since Sione Takitaki by the Cleveland Browns in 2019. The first quarterback since 2007's John Beck, the first quarterback to be a first-round pick since 1982's Jim McMahon, and the first overall first-round pick since 2013's Ezekial Ansah.
FAQ's On BYU football 1 draft pick
A. No, BYU has never had a No. 1 NFL draft pick, but Zach Wilson was selected second overall in 2021.
A. Yes, BYU football was named national champion in 1984 after finishing the season as the only undefeated and untied team.
A. Yes, quarterback Ty Detmer won the Heisman Trophy in 1990.
A. In the Utah vs. BYU rivalry, commonly called the Holy War, Utah leads with 62-35-4.
A. Zach Wilson holds the record for the highest draft selection from BYU, chosen second overall in the 2021 NFL Draft.
