BYU football is putting together a strong 2025 class in recruiting. To this point, what it has lacked is a true, standout, blue-chip, four-star talent as a topping on the cake.

Now they got one.

Four-star athlete McKay Madsen, who played linebacker and running back at Clovis North High School (Fresno, CA) announced his commitment to BYU on Saturday. He did so during the 2025 Navy All-American Game.

247Sports ranks him as a top-200 overall recruit in this class, and the 19th-best linebacker. He bumps BYU’s overall recruiting rankings for the 2025 class, being the first four-star prep recruit.

Madsen turned down offers from Oregon, Arizona, and UCLA to choose BYU. This is yet another example of BYU winning more head-to-head recruiting battles with other programs from power conferences.

This past season, he collected 22 touchdowns on offense along with four interceptions on defense.

According to reports, Madsen will get a chance to play running back with the Cougars. That swayed the odds heavily in BYU’s favor in landing the two-way star.

Madsen overtakes Austin Pay as BYU’s highest-rated recruit in this class.

Even though Madsen is part of the 2025 class, he intends on first serving his two-year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day saints before joining BYU sometime in 2027.

When he returns, Madsen will instantly be one of the best overall athletes on BYU’s roster.