Y’s Guys Podcast

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-In2:38 — Tonight’s Guests and Show Preview7:30 — Redmond Night with the Wise Guys Announcement9:51 — Re-Lyte Athlete of the Week: Matt Hansen11:28 — BYU Football Rankings and Bowl Projections17:24 — TJ Woods Joins the Show23:14 — BYU’s Offensive Line: Smart, Tough and Together31:05 — Blocking for Bear Bachmeier and LJ Martin39:15 — BYU’s Offensive Staff and Run Game Collaboration47:30 — AJ Dybantsa, the Utah Jazz and the NBA Draft54:14 — NCAA Tournament Expansion and BYU Basketball Notes59:15 — BYU Super Fan Ryan Robinson Joins the Show1:17:17 — Campus Notes Across BYU Athletics1:25:17 — Delaney Gibb and Olivia Hamlin Join the Show1:31:35 — BYU Women’s Basketball Identity and WBIT Momentum1:35:03 — Representing BYU, Faith and the Savior1:43:26 — Five Questions with Delaney and Olivia1:51:19 — CougarTribe Segment1:53:04 — On This Day and Final Notes1:59:06 — Closing Remarks

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.

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

Visit: https://redmond.life/discount/ysguys15 - 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 Logan4:54 — BYU Basketball Offseason Focus Begins10:56 — AJ Dybantsa and the NBA Draft Timeline14:50 — Rob Wright Returns to BYU16:53 — New BYU Basketball Roster Additions21:04 — Mark Durant Joins the Show21:49 — The Transfer Portal and What It Means for BYU30:45 — How Much Turnover Is Too Much?37:24 — Breaking Down BYU’s New Shooters and Wings42:10 — The Big Question: Who Plays Center?49:44 — Quick Quack and Sponsor Break51:31 — Travis Brady Joins the Show52:59 — Business Leadership, NIL, and the Transfer Portal1:07:35 — Sunday Onwuchekwa Joins the Show1:07:53 — How BYU Pathway Changed His Life1:17:54 — Sunday’s Mission, Education, and Family Sacrifice1:28:41 — Re-Lyte Athlete of the Week: Jane Hedengren1:36:01 — Campus Notes Across BYU Athletics1:51:34 — Show Close and Final Thoughts#BYU #BYUSports #BYUBasketball #BYUFootball #JaneHedengren #RobWright #MarkDurant #BrianLogan #BlaineFowler #BYUPathway #CougarNation #BYUAthletics #YSGUYS #WiseGuys #LDS

Jason Shepherd joined Dave McCann on this week’s Y’s Guys as the show covered a busy stretch of BYU sports news, from football scheduling and recruiting to basketball roster movement and spring updates across campus. The guys opened with a look at BYU football’s newly announced Friday night game against Iowa State, the significance of the upcoming Notre Dame matchup, and what Dave called “eight days of glory” in September for college and NFL football fans. They also discussed another BYU football recruiting win with the commitment of 2027 running back Ezra San Levia and ran through a full set of campus notes, including baseball’s hot streak, softball’s sweep of Houston, volleyball’s split with USC, and strong results from track, golf, and tennis.A major basketball topic was AJ Dybantsa moving to No. 1 in ESPN’s NBA mock draft, while still technically leaving the door open for a return to BYU before the withdrawal deadline. Dave and Jason also broke down BYU basketball roster news, including the return of Collin Chandler, the addition of Tyler Betsey, and what the transfer portal losses and possible moves still mean for Kevin Young’s roster construction. Their takeaway was clear: BYU is prioritizing age, experience, and fit as it builds toward next season, while still carrying enough national credibility to show up in early top-25 projections.The show also featured three guests with very different but compelling connections to BYU. Kirby Heyborne talked about his work as an actor, audiobook narrator, and BYUtv host, along with his effort to create uplifting entertainment through the Help Them See Foundation. Curtis Blair, president and CEO of the Utah Valley Chamber of Commerce, previewed the Pillar of the Valley event honoring the last seven BYU presidents and reflected on BYU’s influence on the region. Then Jeff Burningham, BYU professor, entrepreneur, and author of The Last Book Written by a Human, joined the show for a thoughtful conversation about AI, wisdom, embodied experience, and why BYU remains such a formative place for students and families. The episode also honored Ilove'a Brittingham as Re-Lyte Athlete of the Week after her huge series in BYU softball’s sweep of Houston.#BYU #BYUSports #BYUFootball #BYUBasketball #AJDybantsa #KirbyHeyborne #CurtisBlair #JeffBurningham #EloBrittingham #CougarNation #BYUAthletics #YSGUYS #WiseGuys #BYU #LDS

It was another packed night on Y’s Guys as Dave McCann and Blaine Fowler covered a wide range of BYU sports headlines while welcoming two standout guests with strong Cougar ties. The show opened with current BYU basketball and football news, including the latest on AJ Dybantsa, transfer portal developments, spring football takeaways, and why the Cougars’ returning experience has fans feeling confident heading into the fall. The guys also recapped the BYU Alumni Game, celebrated Shawn Olmstead becoming the winningest coach in program history for men’s volleyball, and highlighted another record-breaking performance from Jane Hedengren, who was named Re-Lyte Athlete of the Week yet again.The first guest of the night was entertainer David Osmond, who shared moving reflections on growing up in the Osmond family, performing with Marie, and how music has shaped his life. He also opened up about living with multiple sclerosis, what it taught him about connection, gratitude, and perspective, and why BYU has always been such an important part of his family story. It was a heartfelt, inspiring interview filled with humor, family memories, and some powerful life lessons.Later, BYU grad and entrepreneur Scott Porter, founder of San Diablo Churros, joined the show to share the story behind building a growing national brand. Porter talked about how his mission to Mexico, his BYU education, and his entrepreneurial mindset all helped shape the business he runs today. He also gave viewers a look at San Diablo’s expanding reach across thousands of stores and introduced a new BYU-themed churro product that quickly became one of the most fun moments of the night. Altogether, it was a lively episode blending sports, faith, business, entertainment, and the broader BYU story.

Learn more about the golf tournament by emailing: theascendclassic@gmail.comIt’s another loaded night on Y’s Guys as Dave McCann and Blaine Fowler break down everything happening across BYU athletics — with a major headline guest leading the way. Fresh off a historic freshman season, AJ Dybantsa joins the show alongside his father Ace and Alan Akina to talk about his future, the NBA decision timeline, and the launch of a brand-new event, The Ascend Classic, set for April 7 in St. George. The conversation also highlights a remarkable moment in BYU athletics, with Dybantsa, Kihei Akina, Jane Hedengren, and Bear Bachmeier forming what may be the greatest freshman class in school history.The show also features BYU Special Teams Coordinator Justin Ena, who joins in studio to break down one of the most important and overlooked phases of the game. With key departures at kicker, punter, returner, and long snapper, Ena discusses how BYU is rebuilding its special teams unit this spring, the players stepping into those roles, and how the Cougars stay hungry after back-to-back successful seasons.Plus, the guys cover a full slate of BYU sports, including women’s basketball’s WBIT semifinal matchup against Kansas, men’s volleyball, baseball walk-off wins, and continued dominance in track and field and golf. The Re-Lyte Athlete of the Week honors freshman golf standout Kihei Akina, who continues his incredible run with another tournament victory. It’s another packed episode covering the present and future of BYU athletics as momentum continues to build across multiple programs.

The Y’s Guys are back breaking down a tough ending to BYU Basketball’s season and what comes next. Dave McCann and Blaine Fowler react to the Cougars’ early exit from the NCAA Tournament after a loss to Texas, discussing what went wrong, what the Big 12 revealed about this team, and how BYU builds a roster capable of making a deeper run next season. With superstar freshman AJ Dybantsa likely headed to the NBA, the conversation turns to the future of the program and the pieces that could shape next year’s team.The show also delivers a full spring football report, including growing buzz around quarterback Bear Bachmeier’s leadership and why he may still be flying under the national radar after a 12–2 season. The guys break down key storylines, including standout newcomer Cade Uluave, position depth across the defense, and upcoming events like the BYU Alumni Game at LaVell Edwards Stadium.Guests include Travis Kimball of Quick Quack Car Wash, joining live from San Diego for the company’s major Southern California launch, and Brandon Luke of BYU-Pathway Worldwide, who shares how the English Connect program is changing lives around the world by removing language barriers and creating new opportunities. Plus, AJ Dybantsa is honored as the Re-Lyte Athlete of the Week after a historic performance in what may have been his final game as a Cougar, and the guys cover a full slate of BYU athletics as March Madness continues.#BYU #BYUSports #BYUBasketball #BYUFootball #CougarNation #MarchMadness #Big12 #AJDybantsa #BearBachmeier #BYUAthletics #CollegeBasketball #CollegeFootball #YSGUYS #WiseGuys #BYU #LDS

It’s officially March Madness, and the Y’s Guys are all in on BYU’s run in the Big Dance. Dave McCann and Blaine Fowler preview BYU’s NCAA Tournament opener in Portland, breaking down the matchup against the Texas/NC State winner and what it will take for the Cougars to advance — including a potential second-round showdown with Gonzaga. The guys also dive into BYU’s tournament resume, AJ Dybantsa’s record-setting Big 12 Tournament performance, and what this team must do to finally push toward a long-awaited Final Four.The show also features a wide-ranging football update, including spring practice insights and expectations for BYU’s new defensive coordinator Kelly Poppinga, who joins the show to discuss his defensive philosophy, the depth and talent on this roster, and what fans can expect this fall. With a top-10 returning production ranking and major contributors on both sides of the ball, optimism continues to build around the BYU football program heading into the 2026 season.Later, BYU Dean of Undergraduate Education Rick Gill joins the show to provide a unique perspective on student-athletes like AJ Dybantsa, Rob Wright, and Bear Bachmeier — offering insight into how they adapt to BYU’s culture both on and off the court. The episode also celebrates an incredible week for BYU track star Jane Hedengren, who wins two national championships to earn Re-Lyte Athlete of the Week honors. Plus, the guys cover a full slate of Cougar athletics, Final Four predictions, and everything BYU fans need to know heading into one of the biggest weeks of the year.#BYU #BYUSports #BYUBasketball #BYUFootball #MarchMadness #BigDance #Big12Basketball #AJDybantsa #JaneHedengren #CougarNation #BYUAthletics #YSGUYS #WiseGuys #BYU #LDS