Nevada RB Prospect Ezra Sanelivi Commits to BYU

Three-star running back Ezra Sanelivi picks Cougars over several Power 5 offers.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 12:08am

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A fragmented, multi-angled painting in bold primary colors depicting the movement and action of a football player running with the ball, conveying the power and skill of a top recruit.A geometric, cubist interpretation of a dynamic running play captures the raw energy and athleticism of a coveted recruit like Ezra Sanelivi.Henderson Today

BYU has landed a major recruiting victory, securing a commitment from Nevada native and three-star running back Ezra Sanelivi for its 2027 class. Sanelivi, who preps at Liberty High School in Henderson, chose the Cougars over offers from several Power 5 programs including Washington, Wisconsin, Arizona, Iowa, Arkansas, Cal, and Michigan State.

Why it matters

Sanelivi is a coveted running back prospect who will help bolster BYU's backfield depth, especially with the departure of star running back LJ Martin after the 2026 season. His commitment is an important early win for the Cougars in building their 2027 recruiting class.

The details

As a sophomore in 2024, Sanelivi racked up 861 yards on 5.1 yards per carry with 12 touchdowns. While he had fewer carries as a junior, he still finished with 745 yards at 5.9 yards per attempt. Sanelivi is a physical, downhill runner who excels at reading defenses and getting north-south quickly. Though not a home run hitter, his combination of size, vision, and quickness make him an ideal fit for BYU's offense under running backs coach Harvey Unga.

  • Sanelivi committed to BYU on April 8, 2026.
  • He will enroll at BYU in 2027.

The players

Ezra Sanelivi

A three-star running back prospect from Liberty High School in Henderson, Nevada who committed to play for BYU in 2027.

Kalani Sitake

The head coach of the BYU football team, who landed Sanelivi's commitment.

Harvey Unga

The running backs coach at BYU, who was instrumental in recruiting Sanelivi to the program.

LJ Martin

BYU's star running back who will depart for the NFL after the 2026 season, creating an opportunity for Sanelivi to contribute.

Sione Moa

Another running back on BYU's roster who will be a teammate of Sanelivi's when he arrives in 2027.

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What they’re saying

“Sanelivi is the second player to commit to BYU in the 2027 recruiting class and the first out-of-state commitment in the 2027 recruiting class.”

— Casey Lundquist, Reporter

What’s next

Sanelivi will look to make an immediate impact when he arrives at BYU in 2027, as the Cougars look to replace the production of star running back LJ Martin.

The takeaway

Securing a commitment from a coveted running back prospect like Ezra Sanelivi is a major recruiting win for BYU, as they continue to build momentum on the recruiting trail and reload their backfield for the future.