BYU Football Flips Three-Star Cornerback Jaxon Gates from Syracuse, Adding Speed to 2026 Class
In a significant recruiting victory for head coach Kalani Sitake and his staff, BYU football has flipped three-star cornerback Jaxon Gates from Syracuse. The speedy 6-foot-1, 175-pound defensive back from La Verne, California, announced his commitment to the Cougars in July 2025 after previously pledging to the Orange .
**Why Gates Chose BYU**
Gates, who ran a blistering 10.39 in the 100-meter dash, cited several factors in his decision to flip. The connection with BYU cornerbacks coach Jernaro Gilford and defensive coordinator Jay Hill proved decisive during his official visit.
“Coach G just let the visit speak for itself,” Gates told ESPN the Fan’s Ben Criddle. “He told me he really wanted me, that I was a priority recruit. He’s not a guy that offers a lot of corners, so that really meant a lot. It showed they’re diligent during the recruiting process. And seeing Coach Hill’s resume—I feel like he’s arguably one of the best defensive coordinators in the country. All that really helped my decision” .
Gates also emphasized the culture at BYU as a major selling point. During his official visit, he and his family were impressed by the authenticity of the players, coaches, and staff.
“BYU is definitely an interesting place, but when I got to know everybody that makes up the university and the football team, everyone was just really cool. And seeing that I could be part of a winning program,” Gates noted .
**Elite Speed and Lockdown Mentality**
Gates brings exceptional athleticism to BYU’s secondary. His 10.39-second 100-meter dash time makes him arguably the fastest player on the Cougars’ roster. He describes himself as a “sticky” man-to-man corner who’s also comfortable in zone coverage and prides himself on football IQ.
“I’ve got elite speed for my size. That’s rare,” Gates said. “I just want to bring that lockdown mentality to Provo” .
Current BYU defensive back Trey Alexander played a key role in Gates’ recruitment, building a relationship before the visit and taking him under his wing during the official visit.
**The Flip That Wasn’t: Gates Later Flips to Missouri**
While Gates’ flip to BYU represented a major recruiting win in July 2025, the commitment was ultimately short-lived. On October 31, 2025, Gates flipped his commitment again—this time from BYU to Missouri. He became the sixth flip of the 2026 class for Tigers head coach Eli Drinkwitz .
Gates had been committed to the Cougars since July, but the Missouri staff’s persistent recruiting efforts paid off. He joins JJ Bush, Tahj Overton, Carter Stewart, Brody Jones, Brysen Wessell, and Johnnie Jones Jr. as prospects who swapped their original commitments for Black and Gold .
At Damien High School in California, Gates has compiled 57 tackles and seven pass deflections across two varsity seasons. Through ten games in 2025, he helped his team to an 8-2 record as a key member of a defense holding opponents to just over 20 points per contest .
**BYU’s 2026 Class Still Historic**
Despite losing Gates to Missouri, BYU’s 2026 recruiting class remains the best in program history. The Cougars signed all 21 high school prospects during December’s early signing period—the first time in memory that BYU locked in every commit without last-minute drama .
The class is headlined by four-star quarterback Ryder Lyons, the highest-rated recruit of the Kalani Sitake era, along with four-star tight end Brock Harris and four-star offensive lineman Bott Mulitalo . BYU also flipped in-state prospects Jaron and Kennan Pula from rival Utah .
Wide receiver Terrance Saryon, who flipped from Washington to BYU in May 2025, remains part of the class . Saryon, a 5-foot-10, 160-pound slot receiver from Vancouver, Washington, cited scheme fit and feeling “at home” during his unofficial visit as key factors in his decision .
**Gates’ Future with Missouri**
With Gates’ addition, Missouri now sits at 21 commitments in the 2026 recruiting class, five of which are defensive backs. Gates, ranked as the No. 56 cornerback nationally and the No. 48 player in California by 247Sports’ composite rankings, is expected to enroll in college in 2026 and brings elite track speed to the Tigers’ secondary .
For BYU, the loss of Gates was mitigated by a strong defensive back haul that includes safeties Kaue Akana, Sefanaia Alatini, Antonio Johnson, and Matthew Mason, along with cornerback Justice Brathwaite . The Cougars also added cornerback Jayven Williams from Mississippi State via the transfer portal .
As Gates told reporters after his BYU flip: “You’re gonna get a dog. You’re gonna get somebody who’s gonna work every single day, give everything to the program, lock down the best receivers, and do whatever it takes to win” . Missouri fans will now be the beneficiaries of that lockdown mentality.
