BYU Football Lands Third Flip of 2026 Cycle, Bolstering Top-25 Recruiting Class
In a recruiting landscape increasingly defined by high-profile flips, BYU has quietly become a master of the art. The Cougars secured their third commitment flip of the 2026 recruiting cycle in recent months, further solidifying a class that ranks among the best in program history and inside the top 25 nationally .
**The Flipping Trend: From Washington to BYU**
The most significant flip came in May 2025 when three-star wide receiver **Terrance Saryon** decommitted from the Washington Huskies and pledged to BYU . Saryon, a 5-foot-10, 160-pound speedster from Evergreen High School in Vancouver, Washington, had originally committed to Washington in November 2024 before visiting Provo and deciding to switch his allegiance .
“I had that comfort feeling at BYU and about BYU,” Saryon explained, echoing sentiments shared by other top commits. “I knew in my heart where I wanted to go” . His decision represented a significant recruiting win for BYU, as the Cougars ventured into Washington territory and pulled a prospect who had been firmly in the Huskies’ backyard.
Saryon posted over 1,000 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns as a junior and projects as a speedy, shifty slot receiver with returner upside—a welcome addition to a BYU receiving corps looking to replace departed stars Chase Roberts and Parker Kingston .
**Legacy Flipping: Adam Bywater Chooses BYU**
In a more recent flip, three-star linebacker **Adam Bywater** announced his commitment to BYU on March 16, 2026, choosing the Cougars over finalists Boise State and Utah . Bywater, a 6-foot-4, 212-pound prospect from Olympus High School in Salt Lake City, holds deep family ties to the program—his brother, Ben Bywater, played linebacker for BYU from 2019 to 2023 under Kalani Sitake .
“My official visit was amazing,” safety commit Matthew Mason told On3 Sports after his commitment, a sentiment that reflects the experience BYU is delivering to flipping prospects. “I had some questions and I wanted to learn more about the school and all of my questions were answered. It just felt really good to be there and be around the people at BYU” .
**A Class Built on Retention and Flipping**
BYU’s 2026 recruiting class currently features at least 12 known commitments and ranks inside the top 25 nationally, with the Cougars being the only Big 12 school in the top 25 of the Rivals Industry Team Recruiting Rankings as of August 2025 . The class is headlined by five-star quarterback **Ryder Lyons**—one of only three five-star commitments in the entire Big 12—along with four-star tight end Brock Harris (No. 82 nationally) and four-star offensive lineman Bott Mulitalo (No. 146 nationally) .
BYU’s ability to flip committed players has become a defining feature of this cycle. As one recruiting analyst noted, “Over the last several years, BYU has been able to flip players committed to other schools, especially as the coaching carousel shakes up college football coaching staffs” .
**Why Players Are Flipping to BYU**
For Saryon, the decision came down to scheme fit and comfort. “One of the reasons why I chose BYU was I felt I fit in the scheme a little bit better,” he told On3 after his flip . He also cited early playing time opportunities—a realistic prospect given BYU’s need to replace its top three pass-catchers from 2025 .
For Bywater, the decision was about family legacy and trust in the coaching staff. “Coach Hill is a coach that I trust with everything,” Mason said, referring to defensive coordinator Jay Hill. “He is a great guy, he is a great coach and he has a big plan for me in the defense. He believes in my ability, he feels I can compete for a spot on the field right away” .
**The Bigger Picture: Sustaining Momentum**
BYU enters the 2026 season with high expectations after a 12-2 campaign that reached the Big 12 Championship Game . The Cougars prioritized roster retention in the offseason, successfully keeping key players like quarterback Bear Bachmeier (Big 12 Offensive Freshman of the Year), running back LJ Martin (reigning Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year), and cornerback Evan Johnson .
With spring camp underway and the transfer portal adding contributors like Oregon wide receiver Kyler Kasper and Cal linebacker Cade Uluave (the No. 1 linebacker transfer), BYU is positioned to compete for a Big 12 title in 2026 .
And with a recruiting class that continues to add talent—including flipping prospects from Power Four programs—the future in Provo looks equally bright .
