Jaxson Gates Becomes Latest Addition to BYU’s 2026 Class

Gates, a California native and Syracuse pledge since November, officially decommitted and flipped to BYU following a standout visit led by cornerbacks coach Jernaro Gilford. His recruitment had heated up after BYU joined Michigan State and Utah in the mix, but Provo ultimately won out.

With elite measurables, Gates checks in at a smooth 6-foot-1, and recently clocked a personal best of 10.39 seconds in the 100-meter dash; he fits the mold of a track-speed, man-coverage corner. Gates himself emphasized his comfort in man coverage: “At my high school, we run a lot of man. A man corner is just you vs you, no help.”

BYU’s coaching staff, especially Coach Gilford, prioritized speed and length in their recruiting efforts. Gates checks both boxes and brings college-ready ability. At his BYU visit, he showed he’s “a man corner” with real instincts. That makes him a candidate for early playing time in a conference known for fast receivers.

Gates also explored several Power Five offers, including Michigan State, Utah, Oregon State, Colorado State, Boise State, UNLV, Missouri, and Mississippi State, and more. Choosing BYU highlights the program’s growing appeal under head coach Kalani Sitake and its focus on developing under-the-radar talent.

This commitment boosts BYU’s secondary depth and adds a high-upside athlete ready to compete early. Expect Gates to challenge for playing time right away and potentially make an immediate impact in man coverage once he steps on campus.