BYU lands legacy commitment from 2026 CB Justice Brathwaite

Gilbert (Ariz.) Higley cornerback Justice Brathwaite, Class of 2026, has committed to BYU, he announced on Tuesday evening.

He chose the Cougars while also holding offers from Arizona State, Kansas and Iowa State. Brathwaite is the son of former BYU running back Reynaldo Brathwaite.

Brathwaite is a three-star prospect, according to multiple recruiting services. He becomes the first pledge for head coach Kalani Sitake and Co. in the 2026 cycle.

Across 11 games as a junior, the 6-foot, 160-pounder logged 39 total tackles and three interceptions, according to MaxPreps. In 14 games as a sophomore, Brathwaite tallied 46 tackles and 4 INTs. Higley compiled a 7-4 record this fall, finishing as the No. 12 team in Arizona, per the On3 Composite Rankings.

More on BYU Recruiting

Last week, Sitake and the Cougars inked the No. 63 class in the 2025 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings. Only Cincinnati finished with a lower-ranked class in the Big 12.

The class features 18 signees, all of whom are three-star prospects. Headlining the list is Hesperia (Calif.) Sultana wide receiver LaMason Waller, the nation’s No. 539 recruit and No. 88 wideout. Receivers coach Fesi Sitake played a big role in Waller’s recruitment.

“It means a lot that he never gave up on recruiting me,” Waller told On3’s Chad Simmons. “No matter who he was going against, he’s always been there for me. I know he genuinely cares about me and he genuinely wants me at BYU.” 

Waller is one of six signees in the class that hails from California. He’s also the lone wide receiver in the class. Other top signees in the class include three-star offensive tackle Austin Pay, three-star EDGE Ulavai Fetuli, three-star linebacker Taani Makasini, three-star OT Andrew Williams and three-star tight end Jackson Doman.