Assistant coach Fesi Sitake on Legend Glasker, other BYU receivers who shined in season opener

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No BYU football position group in recent memory has undergone more scrutiny than the receiving corps in 2026, thanks to the offseason departures of Chase Roberts, Parker Kingston, Cody Hagen and a tight end who took a lot of pressure off the receivers, Carsen Ryan.

Through it all, BYU receivers coach and passing game coordinator Fesi Sitake never wavered in his belief that the Cougars would be just fine, saying that the addition of Oregon’s Kyler Kasper from the transfer portal, freshman Legend Glasker from the high school ranks and tight ends Roger Saleapaga and Walker Lyons from Big Ten powers USC and Oregon would keep the Bear Bachmeier-led offense purring along.

The sample size is still small, and Utah Tech provided very little resistance in Saturday’s 63-7 thrashing, but it appears Bachmeier will have plenty of weapons with which to work this season. Kasper caught four passes for 42 yards, returning part-time starter Jojo Phillips caught two passes for 16 yards and a touchdown, and Glasker (three catches, 65 yards, two touchdowns) was so good that he earned Big 12 Freshman of the Week honors.

Returners Reggie Frischknecht and Tiger Bachmeier caught passes — BYU only attempted two passes in the second half, both by backup QB Treyson Bourguet — and the aforementioned tight ends caught two balls apiece.

“I told you guys, ‘Don’t worry about our receivers room,’” head coach Kalani Sitake said after the blowout win. “Fesi knows what he’s doing there. He saw the capabilities of what Legend can do, and also what the other receivers can do. … There is a lot of talent all over the place in that room.”

Said the freshman Glasker, after thanking his teammates and coaches for the trust they’ve placed in him: “Man, the potential’s there. We have so many guys that can just do great things on the field. We have so much size and speed. We have everything you can think of in a wide receiver room. We have a lot of depth in our room.”

Nine players caught passes, including walk-on Jared Esplin, a redshirt freshman from nearby Timpview High.

“I’m really proud of the way they blocked more than anything,” Kalani Sitake said. “We didn’t really need them to do much in the pass game, but we know that we can if we need to and that was nice.

“There are new guys you haven’t seen. They’re not household names. … A lot of them are young, and we will see how it works with the other positions, but we saw a lot of future stars (play well) when their numbers were called.”

Obviously, the level of difficulty gets ratcheted up on Saturday as 1-0 Arizona visits LaVell Edwards Stadium (1:30 p.m. MDT, Fox) for an early showdown of expected Big 12 title contenders.

Arizona’s defense pitched a shutout in the 35-7 win over Northern Arizona last Saturday, as the Lumberjacks’ only score came via a pick-six of the Wildcats’ backup QB. Arizona coaches haven’t been shy about saying they’ve been game-planning for the Cougars since January.

“So Danny Gonzales is a really good defensive coordinator,” Kalani Sitake said. “I’ve known him for years, and he can do some really difficult things for an offense with his defense.”

Fesi Sitake breaks down the receivers room

Before the season opener, Fesi Sitake shared some insights on Glasker, Phillips, Kasper and redshirt sophomore Tei Nacua, who was targeted once Saturday but did not make the catch. Here’s what the head coach’s cousin had to say.

On why Glasker earned a starting spot: “He knows the playbook like he’s been here for a couple of years. That’s number one.

“Two, he has an unbelievable ability to make plays naturally, and to just get open, track the ball, and make a big play. … Our best offenses have been explosive, and he will be a big part of that this year.

“Also, he’s tough. He’s physical, and he’s willing to play physical. I love the mental toughness he has, and the physical toughness. He checks all the boxes.”

On whether Phillips can be a go-to receiver in his fourth year: “It has been nice to have Jojo, because when a play is called, I can see him thinking as he’s breaking out of the huddle. In the past, he used to have to adjust last second or maybe miss a fine coaching point. He just lines up and he’s ready. He’s got everything down now.

“Jojo has also done a good job with leadership. He’s always going around encouraging guys, giving them high-fives. … He’s always been a team guy, but he’s really taking the next step on that. I’m just really happy with how he’s been.”

On whether the 6-foot-6 Kasper has been as good as advertised: “Yup, he has. And more importantly, he’s becoming what Bear wants him to be, and what (Aaron Roderick) wants him to be in terms of feeling like we can target him.

“So credit to him for picking up the playbook and making plays this fall camp. I am excited for fans to see him. I am excited to watch him, and I think he will do some great things for us this year.”

On how Tei Nacua is progressing in his third year in program: “Tei has made the right steps. They’re a little more gradual than I think he and I want them to be, but he is progressing. I have to keep encouraging. He wants it so bad. He’s such a competitor. He understands those little things he needs to do, but he’s on the right track and if he does what he’s supposed to consistently, he’ll find himself on the field as well.”

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