The BYU Cougars are more than halfway through spring camp and Kalani Sitake's program is seeking an improved showing in their second season in the Big 12 Conference this season and team captain Connor Pay said that he sees Brigham Young University (BYU) on an "upward trend" as the BYU football program continues their spring practices.

Connor and Jake Hatch talked about the differences for BYU this spring as compared to last year, saying it is "night and day different" for the Cougars, particularly on the offense with Aaron Roderick being flanked by new run game coordinator T.J. Woods, who Pay says is proving to be a great hire for the program as they emphasize fixing their run game woes.

Finally, the show wrapped up with Connor's thoughts on a new BYU recruiting pitch he would advocate for BYU to utilize in the Big 12 along with some insights on the NCAA Tournament, March Madness and his favorite non-major course he's taken.

BYU Football 'Night & Day Different' This Spring With An 'Upward Trend'

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 are taking the mandate of Brigham Young University's (BYU) statement that "The World Is Our Campus" literally as Kalani Sitake and the BYU football program spread their proverbial wings by expanding the BYU recruiting footprint across the entirety of the Big 12 Conference footprint as they seek to make inroads into new talent-rich areas to bolster the program.

Jake Hatch then caught up with 2025 BYU commit Tyler Payne as the two talked about the legacy he carries on following in his dad, Matt Payne's, and uncle, Mitch Payne's, footsteps in being a BYU Cougar and he explained what excites him about playing for Justin Ena and Jay Hill along with his role in helping to recruit top-tier Big 12-caliber athletes to join him in Provo.

Finally, the show wrapped up with a Locked On Cougars insider group question an and answer session with Jake talking about the cohesion on the BYU basketball roster currently, the impact of being on the same page for BYU football, what he expects from the Big 12 season to come and his interests away from the microphone and BYU Athletics.

BYU Football Extending & Leveraging Their Reach Further Than Ever With Big 12

The BYU Cougars are working in a college athletics universe that is so out-of-whack that there seems to be no good answers for what the right course of action is, particularly when it comes to NIL and Jake Hatch believes that the best action to settle things down may have to come from within as compared to having at outside entity step in and regulate matters.

The BYU football program got some good news Monday night when 2025 defensive line prospect Kelepi Vete announced his commitment to play for Sione Po'uha, Jay Hill, Kalani Sitake and the rest of the Brigham Young University (BYU) football program and Jake's fervent hope is that Kelepi's pledge will induce his brother, Siosiua Vete, to join him in Provo.

Finally, the show wrapped up with some thoughts on Noah Waterman and the BYU basketball program after he formally put his name into the NCAA Transfer Portal as Jake attempted to add some context to his comments about Waterman's role with Kevin Young and BYU juxtaposed against what he could get on the open market in NIL and the transfer portal.

NIL Wreaking Havoc But Could The Solution(s) Come From Within For BYU & Big 12?

The BYU Cougars are working on building out Kevin Young's first roster as BYU men's basketball program and based on their recent visits with former UCLA Bruins forward Berke Buyuktuncel and French center Maxim Logue, the BYU basketball program could be on their way to establishing a Euorpean talent pipeline to Brigham Young University (BYU).

Jake Hatch then talked about the BYU football program as some consternation was building amongst Cougar Nation over the weekend of Kalani Sitake's program over/under win total being set at 4.5 wins and Jake attempted to fill in the gaps as to why the number is so low for BYU as they enter their second season in the Big 12 Conference and look to improve.

Finally, the show wrapped up with notes on former BYU quarterback Ryder Burton landing with the West Virginia Mountaineers, BYU formally receiving a commitment from Faith Lutheran High School running back prospect Cale Breslin and a look at the BYU softball program missing out on the postseason for the third-straight season after making it 17 seasons in a row.

BYU Basketball & Kevin Young's Next Trick Is Building European Talent Pipeline

The BYU Cougars are proud members of the Big 12 Conference and the future for the NCAA and Big 12 appears to have changes coming that could both positively and negatively impact BYU Athletics under Tom Holmoe's direction, including big changes for Kalani Sitake and the BYU football program as well as positive changes for other athletic programs in Provo.

Aaron Roderick was adamant that he and TJ Woods would look for offensive lineman to add via the NCAA Transfer Portal this spring to bolster Brigham Young University's (BYU) offensive line and former Colorado Buffaloes offensive tackle Isaiah Jatta fits the bill of what BYU is looking for and Jake explains why it may be the perfect pairing for the two parties

Finally, the show wrapped up with a massive upset win for the BYU softball program as they knocked off third-ranked Oklahoma State Thursday in the Big 12 Softball Championships to set up a showdown against fourth-ranked Oklahoma today along with Jake addressing some questions about college football and the future of LaVell Edwards Stadium.

NCAA & Big 12 Changes Coming But BYU Will Be Ready To Meet Them & Succeed

The BYU Cougars added another talented player out fo the NCAA Transfer Portal with former Utah Utes center Keba Keita deciding to sign with the BYU men's basketball program as he followws Chris Burgess in joining Kevin Young's program after being members of the Runnin' Utes' program and Jake Hatch believes it's just what BYU basketball needed.

Jake then talked about the situation regarding the resumption of the Holy War rivalry this fall in the Big 12 Conference with the University of Utah apparently not allotting tickets to Brigham Young University (BYU) for the much-anticipated rivalry matchup in Rice Eccles Stadium and Jake shared some thoughts on the matter and why it truly is the Big 12's best rivalry.

Finally, the show wrapped up with some thoughts on Faith Lutheran High School running back prospect Cale Breslin, who is set to announce his commitment on Friday and Jake shared what he makes of Breslin's talents and why he would be a good fit to join Kalani Sitake and the BYU football program if that is indeed the direction he goes.

BYU Football 'Night & Day Different' This Spring With An 'Upward Trend'

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