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Since head coach Kalani Sitake took over as the BYU Cougars head coach nearly a decade ago, NFL talent has been a norm for the BYU program. Two players stand out in particular, in linebacker Fred Warner and wide receiver Puka Nacua, as both have been first-team All-Pros, but there are numerous others that are balling out in the league year after year.
Despite that, the 2026 squad may be the most talented of them all during Sitake's tenure at BYU.
The East-West Shrine Bowl released their watch list of the top 1000 draft-eligible players on Monday, with the following 11 Cougars appearing on the list:
- CB Evan Johnson
- EDGE Bodie Schoonover
- IDL Keanu Tanuvasa
- LB Cade Uluave
- LB Isaiah Glasker
- C Bruce Mitchell
- OG Kyle Sfarcioc
- OT Andrew Gentry
- RB LJ Martin
- S Faletau Satuala
- S Raider Damuni
Obviously, there are some "duh" appearances on the list, most notably from Martin, Johnson and Faletau, all of whom have been viewed as potential NFL draft prospects since the end of last season. But new players such as Schoonover, Glasker, Sfarcioc, Gentry and Damuni are being floated as potential NFL draftees, especially with another year of strong play under their belts.
Team success comes first, and that will drive the overall attention on BYU football this fall, lifting the profiles of all 11 players on this list even further.
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This article originally appeared on BYU Cougars Wire: East-West Shrine Bowl watch list announced, 11 BYU Cougars present
