‘A pro model now’: How the architect of BYU’s roster goes about his unrelenting business

TL;DR

Justin Anderson, BYU's director of player personnel, navigates the evolving landscape of college roster construction, heavily influenced by the transfer portal and NIL. His approach focuses on rigorous evaluation and communication with coaches and players.

Key points

Justin Anderson is BYU's director of player personnel.
Roster construction in college football is evolving rapidly.
The transfer portal and NIL are major influences on roster management.
Evaluation of players requires extensive communication and strategy.

Mentioned in this story

BYUJustin Anderson

BYU players line up for wind sprints following a scrimmage at LaVell Edwards Stadium Aug. 9, 2025. | Jaren Wilkey, BYU Photo

Roster construction in today’s college game is unlike any other time in history — and it never ends. The way Justin Anderson’s BYU teams were put together during his playing days over two decades ago might as well have been in the dark ages. Things have changed that much.

Conference expansions and contractions have reshaped the landscape, but the transfer portal and NIL are the real game changers — and it’s Anderson’s job as the Cougars director of player personnel to manage it.

“The evaluation process is pretty strenuous. You are trying to find guys every which way you can,” Anderson told the “Y’s Guys” livestream show this week. “I think it’s about communication, meeting with the coaches and understanding the players.”

It’s also about watching everything.

“You have to be aware of what’s out there,” Anderson said. “It’s really a pro model now.”

High school vs. transfer portal

One of the biggest challenges facing programs today is determining how much time to invest in high school kids as opposed to shopping the transfer portal for more experienced players.

“We spend a lot more time on our high school guys. That’s where we want to be if we can — with development and finding guys that culturally fit that can help sustain our success,” Anderson said. “Then you fill in the gaps with portal guys.”

In today’s quest for quick fixes and the constant juggling of missionaries, that is easier said than done.

“We are more heavy in high school, but the portal happens so fast. You have to be prepared with that as well,” he said. “You are doing a lot of that during the season.”

On any given day, Anderson watches video clips of up to 80 players.

“It could be a mixture of high school and or portal players and then there are the guys that we know about who are at other schools,” he said. “(We) put them on a board and if they happen to go into the portal we have to be ready to go get them and we are tracking those guys (too).”

Culture wins

Q&A

What role does Justin Anderson play in BYU's roster construction?

Justin Anderson is the director of player personnel at BYU, responsible for managing the team's roster construction.

How has the transfer portal changed college football roster management?

The transfer portal has significantly altered roster management by allowing players to transfer more freely, impacting team dynamics and recruitment strategies.

What is NIL and how does it affect college athletes?

NIL stands for Name, Image, and Likeness, allowing college athletes to profit from their personal brand, which has become a crucial factor in recruitment and roster decisions.

What challenges does Justin Anderson face in evaluating players?

Anderson faces challenges in evaluating players due to the need for constant communication with coaches and the extensive search for talent across various platforms.