BYU reportedly lands commitment from former Michigan State big man Jaxon Kohler
· Yahoo Sports
At long last, BYU has added a big-time big man.
Former Michigan State center Jaxon Kohler has committed to the Cougars, multiple outlets reported Thursday evening. He chose BYU over the likes of Kentucky, Louisville and Kansas, marking one of Kevin Young’s most significant recruiting victories to date.
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Kohler is among the high school class of 2022 athletes who recently received an additional season of NCAA eligibility due to a preliminary injunction in Colorado, with a California judge granting him a separate injunction in order to enter the transfer portal, thus bringing the American Fork native to Provo for a fifth college campaign.
In four seasons at Michigan State, the 6-foot-10 Kohler appeared in 127 games and helped the Spartans win eight NCAA tournament contests, including a trip to the Elite 8 in 2025.
He earned All-Big Ten Honorable Mention honors this past season by averaging 12.5 points and 8.5 rebounds per game while shooting 50% from the field and 39% from 3-point range.
A 4-star recruit in high school, Kohler played locally at both Wasatch Academy and American Fork High, being named the Deseret News Utah 6A Player of the Year in 2021.
BYU had spent the entirety of the offseason searching unsuccessfully for a starting center. Now, in Kohler, the Cougars have secured a player capable of raising their ceiling higher than any of their previous big man possibilities.
It’s a fantastic outcome for BYU — and a miraculous one at that, considering it happened in August. With Kohler and Polish import Jakub Urbaniak in Provo, the center position has gone from the Cougars’ most alarming uncertainty to what should now be a major strength for Young’s crew.
Since taking the reins at BYU, Young has never had a post player capable of stretching the floor as a 3-point shooter. After shooting close to 40% from distance last year in the Big Ten, Kohler will help the Cougars achieve their best perimeter spacing in years, along with serving as a consistent low post scoring and rebounding force.
Adding Kohler to a core of Rob Wright III, Collin Chandler and Bruce Branch III could elevate the Cougars to be one of the nation’s top offenses, making a group with improved depth considerable deeper.
BYU now has one remaining roster spot, which Young and his staff could fill in the coming weeks or at midseason.
Michigan State forward Jaxon Kohler (0) goes up for a shot against North Dakota State during the first half in the first round of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Thursday, March 19, 2026, in Buffalo, N.Y. | Jeffrey T. Barnes