Former BYU basketball star Jonathan Tavernari’s journey to Provo was anything but ordinary. How did a kid from Brazil, with dreams of playing basketball at the highest level, end up at BYU? And what led to his remarkable conversion to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints? In part one of this two-part episode, find out how faith, basketball, and an unexpected path shaped JT’s life and legacy.

In this special Practice Chats edition of Deep Blue, we catch up with JoJo Phillips and Parker Kingston right after practice. JoJo talks about his rise as a leader, the viral Utah moment, and his time at Sierra Canyon. Parker relives his epic punt returns, the nickname he earned, and his off-the-field passions like skiing, golf, and even a courtside moment with Conor McGregor. Get an unfiltered look at these BYU receivers beyond the game.

Brandon Bradley never expected to attend BYU, let alone become a key figure in recruiting the next generation of Cougar athletes. But a last-minute scholarship offer and a leap of faith changed everything. Now, in the era of NIL deals and the transfer portal, how does he convince top talent to choose BYU? From Florida to Provo, player to recruiter, discover how Brandon’s journey shapes his unique approach to building the future of BYU football.

Hans Olsen’s journey to BYU wasn’t a straight path. How did a kid who once struggled in school, nearly committed to Nebraska, and had a tough start in football find himself at BYU—and why does he believe that decision changed his entire life? Plus, hear the incredible story of the day Hans and his uncle saved a man’s life. Find out how faith, family, and football shaped Hans into who he is today.

Hans Olsen has worn many hats—BYU Football defensive lineman, NFL player, and now Cougar football’s radio analyst. But how did a farm kid from Idaho end up balancing bikes on his chin and breaking into sports media? And why did his call to join the BYU broadcast booth bring him to tears? Discover how Hans transitioned from the trenches to the airwaves, built a career in radio, and rediscovered his connection with BYU.

Jason Shepherd will be back with another great Deep Blue podcast next week. In the meantime, we are featuring another fantastic BYUradio podcast, Big Stories. This podcast shares amazing and inspiring tales from the Big 12 and beyond. Since BYU recently played the University of Arizona in basketball, we thought we would share the episode The Fantastic Mr. Fox.

Fred Snowden, a.k.a. "The Fox," made history as the first African American head basketball coach at a major university when he took the helm at the University of Arizona in 1972. Facing racism, death threats, and countless challenges, Snowden persevered and turned Tucson into a basketball town. His groundbreaking leadership paved the way for future generations of African American coaches, leaving a lasting legacy on and off the court. This podcast episode tells the story of a trailblazer who overcame the odds to change the game forever.

Andrew Gentry won a national championship with the Michigan Wolverines, reaching the pinnacle of college football. So why did he leave to play for BYU football? In this episode of the Deep Blue podcast, the former four-star offensive lineman shares his journey—from Big Ten football to suiting up for the Cougars—discussing faith, following God's plan, and his decision to transfer to BYU.

Max Hall once hit rock bottom, but he now calls it the best thing that ever happened to him. In this podcast episode, Max shares his powerful journey—from battling drug addiction to rebuilding his life and founding a recovery center to help others do the same. Hall also recounts some of the biggest decisions in his life, sharing life lessons he's learned along the way.

Setema Gali seemed to have it all: a big house, a thriving business, and even a Super Bowl ring. All outward success indicated he had arrived, but he still felt God prompt him to do something more. When the 2008 financial crisis destroyed everything he created, how did he find the strength to rebuild? In this episode, find out how Setema went from the lowest of lows to becoming a leading success coach.

Bruce Mitchell had solidified himself as a stellar defensive lineman. But during the offseason when coaches asked him to switch from the defensive side of the ball to the offensive line, how did he develop his game enough to become an integral reason for the success of the 2024 BYU football team? Listen to his story on this episode of Deep Blue's Practice Chats.