Deep Blue

As impressive as it is for a football team to go 14-1, why do we still celebrate BYU's 1996 season decades later? Former Cougar's tight end Chad Lewis returns to the Deep Blue podcast to explain the importance of that season. He discusses crucial wins in the Pigskin Classic, the WAC Championship, and BYU's first New Year's bowl game against Kansas State Wildcats, the same team BYU is playing this weekend.

Tyler Batty knew from a young age he wanted to play professional football. Little did he know that his football pursuits would enable him to help those in need. In this episode, BYU Football's star defensive end discusses his equine therapy non-profit, his goals of playing in the NFL, and the decision to return to BYU one more year before turning professional.

After the sudden passing of his mother, Hinckley Ropati was faced with choosing where to play football after competing at Cerritos College. How did his mom's legacy help convince him to become a Cougar after the team had previously rejected him for being too short? In this episode, he discusses what his mother's life means to his family, what he's done to make her proud, and how he uses his faith to help deal with tragedy. He also talks about how he has climbed the depth charts through his trust in God, his coaches, and himself.

Chase Roberts burst onto the BYU Football scene in 2022 with a big game against Baylor and is now solidified as one of the team's leaders. What does he do to keep himself grounded while surrounded by the spotlight? In this podcast episode, Roberts shares his deep faith in Jesus Christ, how he glorifies God on the football field, and the legacy he wishes to leave at BYU.

Chris Burgess didn't think his history with BYU was over when he left Provo in 2022 to take a coaching job at the University of Utah. That's why he didn't get rid of any of his Cougar gear. Burgess talks about BYU Basketball's vision under new head coach Kevin Young, why he thinks he is a good recruiter, and why he didn't come to BYU when he was a player coming out of California.

Former BYU basketball coach Dave Rose was recently inducted into the Utah Sports Hall of Fame. But as a native of Houston, Texas, what path did he take to becoming a legend in Utah sports? Rose joins the show to discuss his path to becoming BYU's basketball coach, his battle with health challenges, and his own stellar collegiate basketball career.

BYU quarterback Treyson Bourguet chose to come to BYU because it allowed him to grow his faith in God. How does his faith shape him as a man in the classroom and on the field? Find out in this edition of Deep Blue's Practice Chats.

Mike Smith may not have taken the chance to be a BYU quarterback, but he did manage to become a first-round pick in the NBA Draft. What does he make of his professional basketball career, and how did he transition from player to commentator? In part 2 of our interview, Mike explains what it was like playing with NBA legends like Larry Bird, Kevin McHale, and Robert Parrish. He also talks about how his short career led to him becoming an esteemed commentator.

Most know BYU Hall-of-Famer Mike Smith as one of the best to wear a Cougar basketball jersey, but few know how close he was to wearing a BYU football jersey. In part one of our two-part series, Mike discusses his incredible high school sports career, how he decided BYU basketball was the team for him, and why the state-champion QB never suited up for LaVell Edwards in Cougar Stadium.

Braden Brown’s journey to becoming BYU Football’s director of mental health and mental performance started after his NFL career ended, all thanks to his wife’s suggestion to give the field a try after deciding coaching football players was not the way to go. But Braden’s life experiences on and off the field helped him to become the guy who is now trying to build mentally strong Cougars.