Y’s Guys Podcast

Football & Basketball News | Rachel Higginson | Bryce Lake | Melanie Zanche | Super Fan Porter Larson

visit: https://www.ysguys.com [https://www.ysguys.com] This week’s Y’s Guys opened the first episode of year five with Dave McCann and Blaine Fowler covering BYU football scheduling news, major BYU basketball dates, NFL holiday games, and the continuing build toward the 2026 season. The show also announced upcoming Redmond Night with Y’s Guys on June 15 and highlighted another dominant performance from Jane Hedengren, who was named Re-Lyte Athlete of the Week after winning the Big 12 5000m title and breaking a 27-year facility record. The first guest was BYU associate athletic director of performance nutrition Rachel Higginson, who explained how BYU’s nutrition program has evolved, how athletes are tested and fueled, why salt and hydration matter, and what everyday people can do to improve their nutrition. BYU grad Bryce Lake from Smith Entertainment Group then joined the show to talk Utah Jazz, Utah Mammoth, fan experience, sponsorships, and the impact of the Jazz landing the No. 2 pick in the NBA Draft. The show also featured Melanie Zanche, a BYU-Pathway Worldwide graduate from Buenos Aires, Argentina, who shared how Pathway helped her learn English, earn a degree, and start a marketing agency with her sister. BYU Super Fan Porter Larson closed out the guest lineup with stories about growing up in a BYU family, serving his mission during the 2015 BYU football season, favorite Cougar memories, and why Notre Dame’s visit to Provo could be one of the biggest games in LaVell Edwards Stadium history. #BYU #BYUSports #BYUFootball #BYUBasketball #RachelHigginson #BryceLake #MelanieZanchi #PorterLarson #JaneHedengren #ReLyteAthleteOfTheWeek #BYUPathway #UtahJazz #UtahMammoth #CougarNation #YSGUYS #LDS  Timestamps (approximate): 3:45 — Show Open and Start of Year Five 10:56 — Redmond Night with Y’s Guys Announcement 17:20 — BYU Football Rankings and National Title Discussion 21:16 — NFL Schedule and BYU Basketball Updates 26:13 — Rachel Higginson Joins the Show 36:35 — Nutrition Advice for Everyday People 49:13 — Five Questions with Rachel Higginson 58:03 — Re-Lyte Athlete of the Week: Jane Hedengren 1:01:17 — Bryce Lake Joins the Show 1:17:22 — Utah Jazz Future and the No. 2 Draft Pick 1:33:04 — Melanie Zanchi’s BYU Pathway Story from Argentina 1:49:26 — BYU Super Fan Porter Larson Joins the Show 2:05:05 — Five Questions with Porter Larson 2:11:07 — On This Day and Closing ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

TJ Woods on BYU’s Offensive Line | Delaney Gibb & Olivia Hamlin | Super Fan Ryan Robinson

This week’s Y’s Guys featured Dave McCann and Blaine Fowler talking BYU football, basketball, baseball, women’s hoops, and a new fan-focused segment. The show opened with the announcement of “Redmond Night with the Y’s Guys’ on June 15, plus Matt Hansen being named the Re-Lyte Athlete of the Week after hitting two home runs to help BYU baseball clinch a spot in the Big 12 Tournament. BYU offensive line coach and run game coordinator TJ Woods joined the show to discuss BYU’s 23–4 run over the last two seasons, the growth of the offensive line, recruiting momentum, the physicality required in the trenches, and what it means to block for LJ Martin and Bear Bachmeier. The guys also welcomed BYU Super Fan Ryan Robinson for the debut of a new fan interview segment, giving viewers a chance to share their BYU story on the show. Later, BYU women’s basketball stars Delaney Gibb and Olivia Hamlin joined fresh from class to talk about their friendship, BYU’s 26-win season, the team’s WBIT run, the program’s growing home-court energy, representing BYU and their faith, and what’s ahead this summer. The episode also covered AJ Dybantsa’s NBA Draft outlook, Bruce Branch III’s Team USA opportunity, NCAA Tournament expansion, BYU’s attendance ranking, and campus notes across track and field, baseball, golf, volleyball, lacrosse, and more. #BYU #BYUSports #BYUFootball #BYUBasketball #TJWoods #DelaneyGibb #OliviaHamlin #LJMartin #BearBachmeier #AJDybantsa #BYUBaseball #CougarNation #YSGUYS #WiseGuys #LDS  Timestamps (approximate): 1:05 — Show Open and Viewer Check-In 2:38 — Tonight’s Guests and Show Preview 7:30 — Redmond Night with the Wise Guys Announcement 9:51 — Re-Lyte Athlete of the Week: Matt Hansen 11:28 — BYU Football Rankings and Bowl Projections 17:24 — TJ Woods Joins the Show 23:14 — BYU’s Offensive Line: Smart, Tough and Together 31:05 — Blocking for Bear Bachmeier and LJ Martin 39:15 — BYU’s Offensive Staff and Run Game Collaboration 47:30 — AJ Dybantsa, the Utah Jazz and the NBA Draft 54:14 — NCAA Tournament Expansion and BYU Basketball Notes 59:15 — BYU Super Fan Ryan Robinson Joins the Show 1:17:17 — Campus Notes Across BYU Athletics 1:25:17 — Delaney Gibb and Olivia Hamlin Join the Show 1:31:35 — BYU Women’s Basketball Identity and WBIT Momentum 1:35:03 — Representing BYU, Faith and the Savior 1:43:26 — Five Questions with Delaney and Olivia 1:51:19 — CougarTribe Segment 1:53:04 — On This Day and Final Notes 1:59:06 — Closing Remarks ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Football Buzz | Lee Cummard | Gracie Levelston | Alan Ashton & McKay Christensen | Kihei Akina

This week’s Y’s Guys opened May with a loaded show covering BYU football, basketball, tennis, golf, track and field, and more. Dave McCann and Blaine Fowler discussed BYU football’s strong post-spring national rankings, the Cougars’ high percentage of returning production, praise for cornerback Evan Johnson, and the continued excitement around Bear Bachmeier, LJ Martin, Walker Lyons, and the 2026 football season. They also broke down BYU basketball roster news, including AJ Dybantsa and Richie Saunders being invited to the NBA Draft Combine, Bruce Branch III’s arrival in Provo, the ongoing search for a big man, and the possibility of NCAA Tournament expansion. The first guest was BYU women’s basketball head coach Lee Cummard, who reflected on his 26-win debut season, the program’s growth, recruiting, scheduling, NIL, and what returning stars like Delaney Gibb, Olivia Hamlin, Sydney Benally, and Kaylee Woolston need to do next. The show also honored freshman golfer Kihei Akina as the Re-Lyte Athlete of the Week after his historic round at the Big 12 Championship and runner-up finish. BYU tennis standout Gracie Levelston then joined the show to share her remarkable journey from nearly leaving tennis and joining the military to transferring to BYU, helping lead the Cougars to the NCAA Tournament, and joining The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The final guest segment featured Alan Ashton, founder of Thanksgiving Point and co-founder of WordPerfect, along with McKay Christensen, president and CEO of Thanksgiving Point, for a thoughtful conversation about BYU, technology, service, philanthropy, Thanksgiving Point, and building institutions that bless families and communities. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Justin Anderson on Football Recruiting | NFL Cougars | AJ Declares | Ashton Johnson Re-Lyte Athlete | World-Changing BYU Entrepreneur Mike Peterson

This week’s Y’s Guys marked what Dave McCann and Blaine Fowler believe is the show’s 200th episode, as they reflected on nearly four years of weekly livestreams and thanked the fans, sponsors, and BYU community who have helped the show grow. The episode opened with BYU basketball and football headlines, including AJ Dybantsa officially declaring for the NBA Draft, his heartfelt “Cougar for life” message, BYU’s continued search for a center, and several Cougars landing NFL opportunities through the draft, free agency, and minicamp invites. The first guest was Justin Anderson, BYU football’s director of player personnel, who discussed his playing days, BYU’s 2001 season, the current state of the football program, recruiting strategy, NIL, transfer portal evaluation, and why getting athletes to campus is so important. He also explained how BYU’s NFL success helps recruiting, especially when players like Fred Warner, Puka Nacua, Taysom Hill, Kyle Van Noy, and others continue to represent the program at a high level. The show also honored Ashton Johnson as the Re-Lyte Athlete of the Week after back-to-back saves helped BYU baseball win a key series at Arizona. Later, BYU entrepreneur Mike Peterson joined the show for a wide-ranging conversation about his BYU experience, Lafayette Energy, tar sands, vertical farming, global food security, water conservation, NIL mentorship, and his service as mission president in Taipei. The episode wrapped with campus notes, including BYU women’s track ranked No. 2 nationally, baseball’s important upcoming rivalry series with Utah, women’s tennis preparing for the NCAA Tournament, and women’s basketball adding size through the transfer portal. #BYU #BYUSports #BYUFootball #BYUBasketball #AJDybantsa #JustinAnderson #AshtonJohnson #BYUBaseball #BYUAthletics #NFLDraft #CougarNation #YSGUYS #WiseGuys #LDS #BYU ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Basketball Reload | Mark Durrant | Travis Brady | Sunday Onwuchekwa | Jane Hedengren | NFL Draft

Visit: https://redmond.life/discount/ysguys15 [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqa25IMlhudlI5ZVdpbDZsM3BqZy1BS1IwdzgxZ3xBQ3Jtc0trcWhqYlpROVpGTllBQWdMWldLemFBdmN0bUY5cnZWX3FyRXVSV1o0MjFFanBsOU5TQ2VScy1vQVgyVnRzTk5uazJDRHZlaWhwcnlqaFhvTnpBYXJtVkdiSTRNN0dvR21UMW02bXJQczh5MlJnUHI2VQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fredmond.life%2Fdiscount%2Fysguys15&v=aoAjxW06hZA] - Use Discount Code: ysguys15 (to get 15% off!) This week’s Y’s Guys featured Blaine Fowler and Brian Logan breaking down a busy and important stretch for BYU athletics, with a major focus on basketball roster construction, football momentum, and the broader BYU story. The guys opened by discussing the current state of BYU basketball in the transfer portal era, including AJ Dybantsa’s likely NBA path, Rob Wright’s return to Provo, and how Kevin Young is rebuilding the roster around proven perimeter talent and the search for a true impact big man. Later in the show, longtime BYU basketball analyst Mark Durrant joined to give his perspective on the portal, BYU’s new additions, and what the Cougars still need to become a true force in the Big 12 next season. The show also covered several football and athletic department storylines, including BYU’s place in ESPN’s updated way-too-early rankings, the growing respect for the program nationally, and the upcoming NFL Draft, where multiple former Cougars hope to hear their names called. Blaine and Brian also hit a full set of campus notes, touching on men’s volleyball entering the postseason, softball and baseball results, tennis, golf, and future schedules for women’s soccer and women’s volleyball. The guys emphasized that BYU continues to gain credibility across multiple sports, not just in football and basketball. Two guest interviews added a broader dimension to the episode. Travis Brady, president of Brady Plus, talked about his company’s major merger, its rapid growth across North America, and how lessons from business leadership can apply to college athletics in the NIL era. Then Sunday Onwuchekwa, a BYU Pathway graduate from Ghana, shared a remarkable story of sacrifice, education, and faith. His journey—from needing a degree to keep his job, to earning one through BYU Pathway, to now pursuing advanced study at BYU—became one of the most inspiring moments of the night. The episode also honored Jane Hedengren as the Re-Lyte Athlete of the Week after yet another NCAA-record performance, reinforcing what is already becoming one of the greatest freshman seasons in BYU history. Timestamps (approximate): 0:36 — Show Open with Blaine Fowler and Brian Logan 4:54 — BYU Basketball Offseason Focus Begins 10:56 — AJ Dybantsa and the NBA Draft Timeline 14:50 — Rob Wright Returns to BYU 16:53 — New BYU Basketball Roster Additions 21:04 — Mark Durant Joins the Show 21:49 — The Transfer Portal and What It Means for BYU 30:45 — How Much Turnover Is Too Much? 37:24 — Breaking Down BYU’s New Shooters and Wings 42:10 — The Big Question: Who Plays Center? 49:44 — Quick Quack and Sponsor Break 51:31 — Travis Brady Joins the Show 52:59 — Business Leadership, NIL, and the Transfer Portal 1:07:35 — Sunday Onwuchekwa Joins the Show 1:07:53 — How BYU Pathway Changed His Life 1:17:54 — Sunday’s Mission, Education, and Family Sacrifice 1:28:41 — Re-Lyte Athlete of the Week: Jane Hedengren 1:36:01 — Campus Notes Across BYU Athletics 1:51:34 — Show Close and Final Thoughts #BYU #BYUSports #BYUBasketball #BYUFootball #JaneHedengren #RobWright #MarkDurant #BrianLogan #BlaineFowler #BYUPathway #CougarNation #BYUAthletics #YSGUYS #WiseGuys #LDS ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.