The BYU Cougars are in the midst of their biggest lull in the calendar and that made it an opporutne time to catch up with BYU football team captain Connor Pay as he dished on what he's been doing since spring camp ended for Kalani Sitake's program and the work they are putting in to ensure they don't have a repeat of last season in the Big 12 Conference this fall.

Jake Hatch and Connor then talked about the addition of Austin Leausa to the BYU roster as an NCAA Transfer Portal addition along with the some thoughts on how BYU recruiting works with players vs. coaches and why the belief inside the program doesn't match what outsiders believe about Brigham Young University's (BYU) chances this season in the Big 12.  

Finally, the show wrapped up with some thoughts from Connor about the improvement the BYU offensive line has made under TJ Woods and where their strengths lie currently as well as some thoughts on Danny Sa'ili's transfer to the Arkansas Razorbacks and the addition of former Utah State Aggies QB McCae Hillstead to BYU's roster.

BYU Football Isn't Sweating BYU Basketball Garnering Extra Attention Right Now

Locked On Cougars podcast is the daily podcast that keeps you ahead of the games and the first to know the latest news, analysis, and insider info for the BYU Cougars. Hosted by Jake Hatch, the Locked On Cougars podcast provides your daily BYU Cougars fix with Jake’s unique insights and insider information as he provides expert opinions, film reviews, interviews, recaps, local analysis, and coverage of all things BYU Cougars. From the thrilling games at LaVell Edwards Stadium to hoop heaven’s Marriott Center and everywhere in between, the Locked On Cougars podcast takes you beyond the headlines for the inside scoops from the biggest stories inside the Cougars locker room and the Big 12. The Locked On Cougars podcast is part of the Locked On Podcast Network. Your Team. Every Day.

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The BYU Cougars continue to build out Kevin Young's initial Big 12 Conference roster and Rutgers Scarlet Knight grad transfer Mawot Mag became the most-recent addition to the BYU men's basketball program and his fit seems be atypical of most NCAA Transfer Portal additions, but it appears to be a saavy pick up foe BYU basketball according to Jake Hatch and Jeff Hansen.

Jeff and Jake then talked about what prodded Hansen to write his second annual BYU football season preview magazine (BUY IT HERE) and what fans of Brigham Young University (BYU) will find in the 135 pages of intel on the Kalani Sitake's program as well as their 12 regular season opponents they will face this season in their second season as members of the Big 12. 

Finally, the show wrapped up with Jeff's reasoning for BYU fans to be more excited and enthused about the BYU football program than it appears they are and what gives him confidence that Aaron Roderick, Jay Hill, Connor Pay and whoever ends up starting at quarterback this season, among others, can lead the Cougars back to the postseason again.

BYU Basketball & Kevin Young Land Mawot Mag & It's OK For BYU Football Excitement

The BYU Cougars will be on in primetime early in the 2024 BYU football season and Jake Hatch says that if Brigham Young University (BYU) is truly being affected by their so-called "vampire coug" issue, that shouldn't be a concern for Kalani Sitake's program at least early on in the season as they look to rebound from a subpar 2023 season in the Big 12 Conference.

Jake then talked about the latest he's hearing ans seeing from Kevin Young and the BYU men's basketball program with the names of possible assistant coaching hires he's monitoring as well as top-shelf 2025 recruits receiving BYU basketball offers and the top-rated prospect in the next recruiting cycle, AJ Dybantsa, set to make an unofficial visit to BYU Monday.

Finally, the show wrapped up with questions from the Locked On Cougars insiders group dealing with the status of prosects like Hugo Gonzalez, Berke Buyuktuncel and Maxim Logue along with thoughts on what BYU basketball needs to do to keep the good times rolling and what Jake's favorite fruit(s) is to eat, among other topics broached.

BYU Football Gets Good News From Big 12 While BYU Basketball Keeps on Grinding

The BYU Cougars are seeing the BYU men's basketball program continue its ascent in the national conciousness as Kevin Young continues to work his magic in recruiting while he looks to round out his initial Big 12 roster while also closing in on announcing the balance of the hires that will comprise his BYU basketball staff and it's fun to be part of the madness.

Jake Hatch then talked about the BYU football program as there appears to be narrative that Kalani Sitake, Aaron Roderick, Jay Hill and the rest of Brigham Young University's (BYU) football program are not pulling their weight as the BYU hoops program steals the headlines in Provo and it's a situation that is a apples to oranges comparison.

Finally, the show wrapped up with Jake addressing Locked On Cougars insider group questions, including queries on hoops, BYU recruiting, football, his favorite Pokemon and what his favorite science fiction book series is, among others.

BYU Basketball & Kevin Young Rolling While BYU Football Works In The Shadows

The BYU Cougars have a verbal commitment from Real Madrid budding star Egor Demin and Jake Hatch began the show with his thoughts on what Demin means for the BYU basketball program as Kevin Young continues to build up his momentum on the recruiting trail and it feels like this could be the launching point for the BYU men's basketball program to go next level.

Jake then talked about KYU extending an offer to Utah Prep Academy star A.J. Dybantsa, who is projected to be the top overall selection in the 2026 NBA Draft, and why a commitment from Dybantsa would surpass everything Keving Young has done in his short tenure at Brigham Young University (BYU) and where it might lead for BYU in the Big 12 Conference.

Finally, the show wrapped up with some thoughts on Virginia two-sport preps star Micah Matthews, who is set to begin a two-day official visit and see what Kalani Sitake and the BYU football program could offer him as Sitake, Jay Hill, Aaron Roderick and the rest of the Cougars' football program look to garner some recruiting momentum of their own.

BYU Basketball & Kevin Young's Strong Run Could See Them Become A True Destination

The BYU Cougars are reportedly in the mix to sign Real Madrid budding star Egor Demin and Jake Hatch says Demin, a projected top-ten NBA Draft pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, would be one of the best signings in BYU men's basketball history if Kevin Young can pull it off and bring the Euroleague sensation to Brigham Young University (BYU).

Jake then talked about Rutgers grad transfer Mawot Mag, who is reportedly deciding between BYU and the San Diego State Aztecs, as he explains that Mag is a different type of NCAA Transfer Portal target for the BYU basketball program as he would not be expected to carry the load offensively but would instead serve a bigger role defensively at the Marriott Center.

Finally, the show wrapped up with some thoughts on the reports that the Utah Utes are looking at a possible move to the ACC and Jake says go for it if they are that unhappy being in the Big 12 Conference because the ACC looks the part of a sinking ship and the Utes wouldn't be setting themselves up for much of a future if their gamble were to fail in that circumstance.

BYU Football Isn't Sweating BYU Basketball Garnering Extra Attention Right Now

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