Are there any famous BYU alumni?

Yes, Brigham Young University (BYU) has many famous alumni across various fields, including entertainers like Jon Heder (Napoleon Dynamite), authors such as Stephenie Meyer (Twilight) and Brandon Sanderson, athletes like NFL Hall of Famer Steve Young, and media personalities like Ken Jennings (Jeopardy! champ) and Sharlene Wells-Hawkes (Miss America/ESPN). The university also boasts inventors, political figures, and religious leaders, showcasing a broad range of notable graduates.

Did any NFL players go to BYU?

Yes, many NFL players have come from Brigham Young University (BYU), with over 400 former Cougars playing professionally, including current stars like Fred Warner, Puka Nacua, Taysom Hill, Kyle Van Noy, and Zach Wilson, plus legendary Hall of Famer Steve Young, highlighting BYU's rich history in the NFL. 

Has BYU ever been ranked #1?

Coupled with the 11 consecutive wins to close out the 1983 season, BYU concluded the 1984 championship on a 24-game winning streak. At the end of the season, BYU was voted National Champion after being number one in all four NCAA sanctioned polls AP, Coaches, NFF, and FWAA.

What are some famous BYU athletes?

Additionally, other standout athletes such as Zach Wilson, Ty Detmer (winner of the prestigious Heisman Trophy in 1990), and Kyle Van Noy continue to demonstrate the legacy of BYU football on the professional stage.

Is BYU a coke or Pepsi school?

BYU is a Coca-Cola school, with a long-standing exclusive contract for all campus beverage needs, meaning Coca-Cola products are served in dining halls, vending machines, and at athletic events, although they previously only sold caffeine-free options until allowing caffeinated drinks in 2017. 

Why a BYU MBA – Alumni Network

Has anyone from a D3 school made it to the NFL?

Yes, many Division III (D3) football players have made it to the NFL, often signing as undrafted free agents, with players like Quinn Meinerz (Denver Broncos), Jake Kumerow (Buffalo Bills/Packers), and Dan Arnold (Jacksonville Jaguars/Panthers) being prominent recent examples, proving D3 players can succeed in the pros despite fewer opportunities to get drafted.
 

Why is BYU so famous?

BYU is popular due to its unique blend of strong academics, world-class programs (like business, law, and languages) that offer great return on investment (ROI), and a deeply integrated faith-based environment from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints that provides a peaceful, principled community, affordable tuition, and character development, attracting a large student body seeking a values-driven education. 

How much is kalani sitake making at BYU?

Kalani Sitake's salary at BYU significantly increased after his December 2025 contract extension, reportedly jumping from around $3-4 million to approximately $9 to $9.5 million annually, making him one of the Big 12's highest-paid coaches, alongside substantial extra NIL funding and benefits for his staff and program to keep him at BYU over an offer from Penn State. 

Who is BYU's biggest rival?

BYU's biggest rival is the University of Utah, with their intense football and basketball rivalry known as "The Holy War" due to the cultural differences between the LDS Church-affiliated BYU and the secular University of Utah, creating deep-seated state-wide competition. While Utah State is also a rival, the BYU-Utah rivalry is far more prominent, dividing households and workplaces across Utah for over a century.
 

Is it cheaper to go to BYU if you're Mormon?

Yes, Brigham Young University (BYU) is significantly cheaper for members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS), with LDS students paying roughly half the tuition of non-LDS students because the university receives substantial funding from the Church's tithing, making it a private university with subsidized costs for its members. Non-members pay a higher rate, though it's still often lower than comparable private universities, but they must still adhere to the university's honor code and obtain an ecclesiastical endorsement. 

What famous QB went to BYU?

Famous BYU quarterbacks include Ty Detmer, the only Heisman winner (1990), and Steve Young, a Hall of Famer and Super Bowl winner, leading a lineage of greats like Jim McMahon, Marc Wilson, Gifford Nielsen, Max Hall, Taysom Hill, and recent star Zach Wilson, establishing BYU as a "QBU" (Quarterback University). 

Can you drink alcohol at BYU?

No, you cannot drink alcohol at Brigham Young University (BYU) as it is strictly prohibited by the university's Honor Code, which requires students and staff to abstain from alcohol (and tobacco, tea, and coffee) both on and off campus as a condition of enrollment or employment, reflecting the principles of its sponsoring body, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Violations can lead to severe consequences, though some off-campus venues in Provo sell alcohol, and some non-LDS individuals or students not fully adhering to the code might partake elsewhere. 

Is BYU or u of u harder to get into?

Brigham Young University (BYU) is generally harder to get into than the University of Utah (U of U) because BYU has a lower acceptance rate and higher average test scores, despite the U of U sometimes having a higher reported acceptance rate depending on the source, as BYU focuses on a very selective academic and character-based pool, especially considering its capped enrollment and specific church affiliation requirements. 

Who is BYU's star player?

Anicet “AJ” Dybantsa Jr. (born January 29, 2007) is an American basketball player for the BYU Cougars of the Big 12 Conference. He was rated as the number one player in the 2025 class after reclassifying from the 2026 class. Brockton, Massachusetts, U.S.

How much does it cost to go to BYU for 4 years?

BYU costs for four years of attendance are $87,760, based on 2024-25 tuition and other costs. This is a bargain compared to the national average for four years at private institutions of $241,680. Here's some Student Loan & Scholarship Information for you.

Does LDS Tithing pay for BYU sports?

It's important to clarify that while The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints sponsors BYU and subsidizes tuition and various campus operations, The Church does not fund any NIL efforts. In fact, BYU Athletics is a self-sustaining entity and receives no direct financial support from The Church.

Is Auburn still paying Gene Chizik?

No, Auburn stopped paying Gene Chizik many years ago; he was fired in 2012, and his large contract buyout (around $7.5 million) was paid out in monthly installments, which would have concluded around mid-2016, as his contract ended that year. Auburn paid him for being unemployed as per his contract, but that obligation has long since been fulfilled.
 

Why are beards not allowed at BYU?

President Wilkinson disliked the "hippie" culture of the 1960s, and he thought beards represented this culture. Students with beards were not allowed to register at BYU for the 1969 fall semester. There are exemptions for medical needs or religious reasons. This policy remains in place today.

What is the #1 hardest college to get into?

There isn't one single #1 hardest school, as it changes slightly by year and criteria, but Harvard University, Stanford University, MIT, and Caltech consistently rank among the top with extremely low acceptance rates (often 3-4%) and intense competition for spots, though other top global universities like Oxford and Tsinghua are also incredibly selective. Harvard is frequently cited as the hardest due to its high volume of applications and focus on global leadership potential, while Caltech is known for its extreme difficulty in STEM. 

Does BYU hire non-Mormons?

Yes, Brigham Young University (BYU) does hire non-Mormons (members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints), but they must agree to live by the university's religious-based Honor Code and undergo an ecclesiastical clearance process, which involves demonstrating support for Church standards. While members in good standing with a temple recommend are preferred for many roles, non-members can be hired, especially for certain positions, provided they adhere to the strict behavioral and lifestyle expectations of the university, notes BYU Human Resources, Quora users, and Reddit users. 

Is being a D3 athlete worth it?

It provides not only structure and discipline but also fosters a strong sense of community, making the journey toward graduation even more rewarding. NCAA Division III (D3) colleges are uniquely positioned to offer this balance, combining a commitment to academic success with a supportive athletic environment.

How many NFL players went to a D2 college?

There were 66 former DII players on the rosters during the summer and after cut day, we enter 2025 with 39 DII alumni rostered — the fewest players since we started tracking nearly a decade ago and down from 2024's 46 and 2023's 43.

Do any D3 players go pro?

Yes, some NCAA Division III (D3) players do go pro, though it's less common than from D1/D2, with players finding paths in various sports like football (NFL, Arena League), basketball (NBA, overseas), and soccer (MLS, USL, overseas) by leveraging exceptional talent, self-promotion (highlight reels, networking), and often playing in lower-tier pro leagues or overseas where the talent gap isn't as vast as in top leagues.