LEVEL UP: BYU Football Recruiting PROVES Big 12 Status Paying Off With ELITE Talent Upgrades Inbound | BYU Baseball Alumnus Dan Johnson Joins Fan Friday

BYU football stuns the recruiting world by securing a commitment from four-star defensive tackle Jeremiah Williams, a top-300 prospect out of Tustin High School. Could this signal the dawn of a new era for Kalani Sitake’s Cougars in the Big 12? Jake Hatch breaks down the impact of landing Williams—a dynamic 6’0”, 315-pound mauler who not only dominates as a defensive lineman but also proved his athleticism by running for double-digit touchdowns as a short-yardage fullback. The analysis explores how BYU, once limited by its independence and lack of Power 4 affiliation, is now battling and beating programs like UCLA, North Carolina, and Arizona State for elite talent. With Williams drawing comparisons to NFL superstar Aaron Donald in terms of build and leverage, can the Cougars parlay this recruiting win into lasting success and greater College Football Playoff aspirations? The spotlight shifts to Fan Friday, where Jake Hatch sits down for an inspiring conversation with Dan Johnson, who shares his journey from BYU baseball scholarship athlete to enduring decades as a devoted Cougar fan. Johnson reflects on suiting up with Hall of Famer Jack Morris, working under Glenn Tuckett and World Series legend Vernon Law, and how lessons learned at BYU shaped his resilience through major health setbacks. He recounts passing up early professional opportunities, choosing instead to serve a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints—an experience that led to his father’s baptism and created memories “no amount of fame or money could replace.” Johnson further examines the unique culture of BYU Athletics, emphasizing the power of the Honor Code and the program’s ability to build character beyond the scoreboard. The episode explores hot-button basketball topics as well—AJ Dybantsa’s NBA draft decision, the hopes for his return, and Rob Wright’s move to stay committed to BYU—asking whether the Cougar culture can entice top athletes to build legacies instead of chasing immediate pro paychecks. Through Johnson’s stories and Jake Hatch’s analysis, listeners gain a deeper understanding of BYU’s past, present, and future on the field and in the community, rounding out a compelling episode for Cougar fans and college sports enthusiasts alike. Support Locked On Cougars: Follow & Subscribe on all Podcast platforms and on YouTube! Join the NEW Locked On Cougars Everydayer Club by clicking here! If you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and join your team’s community: https://lockedonpodcasts.com/everydayerclub Jake Hatch brings you daily coverage of the BYU Cougars with the Locked On Cougars Podcast. Locked On Cougars brings BYU fans the latest news and comprehensive coverage when it comes to the BYU football and basketball programs as well as a look at the other teams in the BYU athletic department. Jake gives you his unique insights and insider information about the Cougs as they continue "on the trail to fame and glory" every weekday, along with interviews with players, coaches, experts, and alumni that you will not find anywhere else. SUPPORT US BY SUPPORTING OUR SPONSORS FanDuel - Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel.Right now new customers can bet just five dollars and get two-hundred and fifty dollars in bonus bets if your first bet wins.Visit https://FANDUEL.COM to get started — Play Your Game  Indeed - Listeners of this show get a $75 Sponsored Job Credit to help give your job the premium placement it deserves at http://Indeed.com/podcast FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN) Follow the Locked On Cougars podcast on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to stay up-to-date with the latest with regards to the podcast and BYU sports news. Please remember to subscribe, enable notifications, rate and review the show. If you are interested in advertising with Locked On Cougars or the Locked On Podcast Network, please email us at [email protected]. Part of the Locked On Podcast Network – Your Team. Every Day. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.