HB Arnett's 801 372 - 0819 hbarnett@fiber.net 1391 West 800 South - Orem, Utah 84058 Vol. 33, Issue 28 - February 7, 2013 Click <http://cougarclicks.com/product/Order-Cougar-Sportsline?ID=3173> Here To Order Or Renew Your Subscriptions 5, 4, 3, 2, 1.BYU Football Recruiting by the Numbers Bronco Mendenhall was true to his persona and profile in announcing the latest BYU football recruiting effort in a press conference that was streamed live to Cougar nation on BYUtv. Five is still the spot where BYU football lands on the priority list of Mendenhall, according to remarks made by the Cougar head coach in his recruiting review Mendenhall made sure that everyone understands that those that hired him gave him direct marching orders that make football a low priority item. Those orders came from above the pay grade of Tom Holmoe. According to the BYU head guy, he has been charged with No. 1 - Spiritual development of players. No. 2 - Growing players intellectually. No. 3 - Development of character in players. No. 4 - Having players give service. No. 5 is playing good football. Give Mendenhall credit. He understands where his bread is buttered when it comes to employment, but he also understands, even though he downplays it, that for all of the higher priority items to happen and mean something for his employer and football fans, he has to win games and lots of them. He also realizes that he occasionally has to beat power teams whose one and only priority is to win at all costs. Five also is the number of letters of acceptance that were signed in addition to the letters of intent. Because of new NCAA recruiting regulations, teams can only sign 25 players per year. As with all NCAA regulations there are ways around those rules. It is especially easy for BYU because of their missionary situations. Here are the five players that signed letters of acceptance that will be going on LDS missions and then sign letters of intent upon their return. Francis Bernard, RB, 5-11, 215, Herriman HS, UT Ma'ataua Brown, DL, 6-5, 340, Cerritos JC, CA Inoke Lotulelei, WR, 5-9, 175, Cottonwood HS, UT Kalolo Manumaleuna, LB/DL, 6-2, 250, Compton JC, Ca Patrick Palau, RB/LB, 5-11, 240, East HS, UT Four is the description of the disaster that was the BYU offense the last two seasons. More precisely, a four-alarm fire describes the offensive line play, which was primarily responsible for the anemic offensive numbers of the last two years. BYU brought the most buckets of water to douse the offensive fire and poured it on the offensive line. BYU's approach is the same that those companies that have students sell fire alarms in the summer. It's a numbers game. Hire enough people and you will find a couple that can actually produce. BYU signed 7 offensive linemen, four of who are juco transfers. Four also includes the number of signed freshmen that say they will be serving LDS missions before enrolling in school. That includes Nathan DeBeikes, Moroni Laulu-Pututau, Talon Shumway and Johnny Tapusoa. Three is the maximum games that BYU can lose a year if Bronco wants to insure that the BYU fan base endorses his platform as outlined above. The ideals are outstanding, but won't carry any weight with the fan base or the world if BYU can't win football games. Three is also for bags of potatoes or any other bags of 100 pounds or more. BYU was looking for help at nose guard and the minimum requirement appears to be 300 pounds or close to it. BYU signed JonRyheem Peoples and Merrill Taliauli from the high school scene. Kalolu Utu was signed from the juco ranks. They were all signed to help fill the needs in the middle of the 3-4 defense up front. Also in the mix is returned missionary Tuni Kanuch, who is now up over 300 pounds and will get a shot at nose guard this spring. Speaking of returning missionaries, they are like additional signees to every class. In addition to Kanuch, other returning in time for spring or the fall include Toloa'i Ho Ching, LB; Jordan Black, OL; AJ Moore, RB; Joey Owens, LB; Sae Tautu, DL; Bryan Sampson, TE and Algernon Brown, RB. Two is for the best two athletes in this class. I consider Talon Shumway and Moroni Laulu-Pututau to be the two most explosive athletes in this class. I know, some will think I am being provincial because Shumway is from just down the road at Lone Peak HS and Pututau is up the road at Mountain Crest in Cache County. Theses two guys will be headline makers before they are through. Of course they are both headed on missions out of high school, so if I am wrong, you will have three or four years to forget my evaluation. I stick by it, however. These two could play for almost any other school in the country. Both are outstanding basketball players and both could get Division I offers in that sport if they pursued it. One glaring weakness of this class is that nothing was addressed with the abysmal kicking game. We can talk all we want about big boy teams like Alabama and the rest of the SEC, but all the big boy teams always have a kicker. It may be incorrect, but the perception that I have after watching BYU football for decades, is that kickers are an afterthought at BYU.
From the Horses Mouths
To hear the latest assessments of this recruiting class from Bronco Mendenhall and Robert Anae, click on the two links below. Watch Bronco <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZd9UtHp7uc> 's press conference for yourself Robert Anae meets the press <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TdWpHWDiqiI> 2013 BYU Football Recruiting Class Edward Fusi, Offensive line, 6-1, 285, Corona, California, Mt. San Antonio Community College A first-team All-Conference selection in the North Central Conference .helped lead San Antonio to a 11-1 season record, including 6-0 in conference . played in the Southern California Championship Game in 2012 . part of an offensive unit that averaged 421.5 total yards and 34.6 yards per game . also recruited by Alabama, Mississippi, Oregon State and UCLA Michael Davis, Wide receiver, 6-2, 180, Glendale, Calif., Glendale HS A first-team All-Pacific League wide receiver . as a senior, had 33 catches, 409 yards and three touchdowns, rushed 39 times for 258 yards and two scores, and returned 13 kicks for 394 yards, including a 99-yard return . caught 52 passes for 857 yards and seven touchdowns and returned two kickoffs for touchdowns in 2011 . played defensive back for Glendale, recording 45 tackles as a senior . also ran the 100-meters in 10.67 seconds and 200-meters in 21.4 seconds and finished seventh at the California state championship . also recruited by Hawai'i, Iowa State, New Mexico State, Oregon, San Diego State and USC Kaimana Nacua, Linebacker, 6-2, 205, Henderson, Nevada, Liberty HS A first-team All-State selection on defense . as a senior recorded 57 tackles and two interceptions . also played as an option quarterback in high school . threw for 1,128 yards and nine scores while rushing for 758 yards and 16 touchdowns . also caught 11 passes for 333 yards as a senior . passed for 1,538 yards and 14 touchdowns and rushed for 540 yards and six touchdowns in 2011 . totaled 21 tackles as a junior with three interceptions . led the Patriots to a 11-2 record in each of his sophomore, junior and senior seasons . also recruited by Nevada, UNLV, Northern Arizona and North Dakota Johnny Tapusoa, Defensive back, 5-10, 195, Laie, Hawai'I, Kahuku HS Named the All-Poly Camp MVP . rated No. 6 overall prospect in state of Hawai'i from 247Sports and No. 88 safety in the nation . led Kahuku to a 2012 state title . two-time first-team all-league of the Oahu Red East league . named to MaxPreps 2012 Preseason All-State team . also recruited by Colorado, Arizona State and San Diego State Kalolo Utu, Defensive line, 6-2, 285, Upolu, Samoa, Compton Community College A three star recruit from Scout.com . recorded nine tackles and one tackle for loss along with one interception in 2008 . a graduate of Dominguez High School . recorded eight sacks as a senior and four sacks as a junior . served LDS mission to Las Vegas Nathan DeBeikes, Linebacker, 6-2, 196, Thousand Oaks, California, Thousand Oaks HS Named a first-team All-Ventura County running back . first-team All-Marmonte League and first-team All-Academic Ventura County . MVP of the 2012 season at Thousand Oaks HS while being selected as a Scholar Athlete . named All-CIF . posted 91 tackles, returned nine kicks for 171 yards, rushed for 935 yards and 10 touchdowns and caught 44 passes for 390 yards and two scores in 2012 . as a junior was first-team honoree in county and in league . totaled 66 tackles, five sacks and three interceptions as a junior while rushing for 1,303 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2011 . also recruited by Army, Boise State, Boston College, Colorado, Iowa State, Yale, Princeton and Utah JonRyheem Peoples, Defensive line, 6-6, 298, Rigby, Idaho, Rigby HS A three-star recruit . rated No. 52 defensive tackle by Rivals.com . rated No. 4 prospect in state of Idaho by Scout.com . attended National Underclassman Combine in Boise and was named overall MVP and top defensive lineman . recorded 65 tackles, five sacks, forced three fumbles, batted down three passes and blocked one field goal . named first-team All-Area and All-Conference and second-team All-State . Also recruited by Idaho, Oregon State, Utah and Utah State De'Ondre Wesley, Offensive line, 6-6, 310, Pleasant Hill, California, Diablo Valley Community College A three-star lineman from Rivals.com . rated No. 126 among all JUCO players by 247Sports . the No. 36 prospect in California from 247Sports . also recruited by Arizona State, Colorado State, Fresno State, Oregon State, Purdue and Utah Tim Duran, Offensive line, 6-4, 290, Puyallup, Washington, Cabrillo College Can play tackle or guard . a unanimous first-team All-Conference selection in the Coast Conference . a first-team All-State honoree . a Larry Siemering Award winner, given to the top offensive lineman . a 2012 team captain for Cabrillo College . a member of the honor society and dean's list Moroni Laulu-Pututau, Tight end, 6-4, 190, Hyrum, Utah, Mountain Crest HS Rated No. 26 overall prospect in state of Utah by 247Sports . caught 46 passes for 737 yards and nine touchdowns as a junior . helped Mountain Crest to a 12-4 record as a senior and a berth in the state title game . a three-sport athlete . also recruited by Notre Dame and Utah Dallin Leavitt, Defensive back, 6-0, 205, Portland, Oregon, Central Catholic HS Rated No. 5 prospect in state of Oregon . named Oregon Co-Defensive Player of the Year . 2012 first-team All-State honoree . No. 95 safety on Scout.com . totaled 71 tackles including two sacks while forcing two fumbles and recording two interceptions . as a junior in 2011, snagged six interceptions to go along with a sack and 62 tackles . also recruited by Arizona State, California, Colorado, Hawai'i, Oregon State, Missouri, Stanford, Purdue, UCLA, Wyoming and Utah Trajan Pili, Linebacker, 6-2, 225, Las Vegas, Nevada, Centennial HS Rated No. 7 prospect in Nevada by Rivals.com . the No. 3 prospect in Nevada and No. 92 outside linebacker in the nation by 247Sports . 2012 All-State defensive end . a first-team All-Conference player on both offense and defense in 2012 . . played in the All-American International Bowl for Team USA . a two-time All-Poly Camp MVP . named top underclassman at BYU Nike Training Camp . 2012 Army and Marine Combine Invitee . recorded 67 tackles and seven sacks as a senior and also caught 13 passes for 204 yards and two touchdowns . notched 79 tackles, five sacks and two forced fumbles in 2011 . a scholar athlete all four years of high school . also recruited by Stanford, Oregon, Nebraska, Cal Berkley, Utah, Washington, Nevada, Missouri and San Jose State Jordan Preator, Defensive back, 6-0, 180, Plain City, Utah, Fremont HS Totaled 107 tackles and eight interceptions in high school . played some quarterback, passing for 376 yards but running for 1,169 yards and 12 touchdowns in prep career . helped Fremont to an 11-3 record and to Utah 5A state title game in 2011 . also played prep basketball for the Silver Wolves . also recruited by Hawai'i, Utah and Utah State Brayden Kearsley, Offensive line, 6-5, 298, Aloha, Oregon, Aloha HS A four-star recruit on both Scout.com and Rivals.com . a three-year starter for Aloha HS that posted triple digit pancakes and zero sacks allowed in three years . An All-State performer all four years of high school . rated No. 3 prospect in state of Oregon . No. 25 offensive tackle by Rivals.com and No. 16 guard by Scout.com . played in the Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl Game . helped Aloha to state title in 2010 . also recruited by Arizona State, Arkansas, Oregon State, Washington, Colorado, Hawai'i, Kansas, UCLA, USC and Utah Garrett England, Defensive Back, 6-4, 190, Salt Lake City, Skyline HS A 4A first-team All-State selection from the DesNews and second-team honoree from by the Salt Lake Tribune . Logged 43 tackles and one interception as a senior and rushed for 292 yards and five touchdowns in Skyline's option attack . also recorded 34 receptions for 382 yards and five more scores . had two interceptions in 2011 . also played basketball at Skyline Merrill Taliauli, Defensive line, 6-2, 305, Salt Lake City, East HS A three-star prospect from 247Sports . rated No. 40 defensive tackle in the nation and the No. 10 overall prospect in the state of Utah . participated at the All-Poly camp and was a force on the inside . named 4A first-team All-State on offensive line by Deseret News and Salt Lake Tribune . totaled 41 tackles and 2.5 sacks in prep career . also recruited by Arizona, Boise State, Hawai'i, Idaho, Utah State and Utah Sam Lee, Defensive back, 6-0, 180, Brandywine, Maryland, College of the Canyons A big physical corner with size and speed . posted one interception which he returned 67 yards to go along with 22 tackles in 2012 . part of a defensive secondary that allowed a completion percentage of just 54 percent and gave up just 193 yards in the air per game . Served an LDS mission to Atlanta, Georgia . also recruited by Maryland, New Mexico and Texas State Talon Shumway, Wide Receiver, 6-3, 200, Highland, Utah, Lone Peak HS A three star athlete by Scout.com, 247Sports and Rivals.com . rated No. 4 overall prospect in Utah by 247Sports and No. 47 wide receiver in the country . ranked No. 9 overall state prospect by Rivals.com . a first-team All-State selection . caught 72 passes for 1,049 yards and 16 touchdowns as a senior . helped Lone Peak to a 5A state title in 2011 with 33 receptions for 459 yards . also plays basketball for Lone Peak . also recruited by Boise State, Oregon, UCLA, Utah State and Utah Rylee Gautavai, Linebacker, 6-1, 200, Bountiful, Utah, Bountiful HS A two-time first-team All-State honoree . led Bountiful with 117 tackles and 4.5 sacks in 2012 . had 122 tackles as a junior to go along with 2.5 sacks and two interceptions . posted 63 tackles and an interception as a sophomore . led Bountiful to 25 wins in three years Addison Pulsipher, Offensive line, 6-6, 260, Temecula, California, Temecula Valley HS Totaled 15 tackles on the defensive line as a senior . named first-team All-Southwestern on offensive line and second-team All-Southwestern on defensive line . a three-star recruit by 247Sports and rated the No. 147 prospect in the state of California . brother, Adam, signed with BYU's 2011 recruiting class . also recruited by Oregon, Colorado State, Missouri, Nebraska and Utah Chasen Andersen, Linebacker, 6-0, 218, Logan, Utah, Logan HS The son of former Utah State and current Wisconsin head coach Gary Andersen . a 4-A All-State honoree . named All-Valley MVP and All-Region MVP . led the state of Utah in tackles with 160 in 2012 and had three pass deflections and two fumble recoveries . rated No. 96 linebacker on Scout.com . also recruited by Utah State and Wisconsin Josh Carter, Offensive line, 6-5, 290, Tucson, Ariz., Eastern Arizona College Named 2nd team All-Southern Arizona . helped the Gila Monsters average 323.6 rushing yards per game to lead the Western States Football League and score 31 points per game . offensive MVP at MVHS. team captain. served an LDS mission to Salt Lake City . also recruited by Arizona, Boise State, California, Colorado, Oregon State, Oregon, San Diego State, UCLA, UNLV, Utah, Washington and Wyoming Keegan Hicks, Offensive line, 6-3, 285, South Jordan, Utah, Bingham HS Ranked No. 30 center by Scout.com . helped Bingham to a 10-3 record as a senior, 9-3 as a junior and perfect 13-0 season and state title as a sophomore . helped Bingham rushing offense to 202 yards per game and score 33.8 points per game . rated No. 35 overall prospect in Utah . second-team All-State honoree . also recruited by Utah State and Utah Thomas Shoaf, Offensive line, 6-6, 265, Columbus, Indiana, Columbus North HS A three star recruit by Scout.com, Rivals.com and 247Sports . rated No. 65 offensive tackle in nation by Rivals.com and No. 15 overall prospect in state of Indiana . named first-team All-State in 2012 . can get off the ball quickly with a 4.76 forty time . totaled 30 tackles on defense including 3.0 tackles for loss on the defensive line as a senior . also recruited by Ball State, Indiana, Iowa, Iowa State, Ole Miss, Purdue and Utah Billy Green, Quarterback, 6-2, 196, Woodway, Wash., King's HS Mid-year enrollee . is a two-time first-team AP All-State quarterback and Cascade Conference Offensive Most Valuable Player . led King's High School to an 11-1 season as a senior in 2012 . completed 196 of 304 passes for 2,997 yards and 46 touchdowns . the dual-threat signal caller also rushed 80 times for 432 yards and six scores . passed for 2,397 yards and 40 touchdowns as a junior while adding four rushing touchdowns . 2011 Football Universe Regional Top Gun MVP and National Underclassman Regional MVP . also recruited by Notre Dame, Oregon State, UCLA, Utah, Washington and Washington State, among others Trenton Trammel, Defensive back, 6-0, 190, Oakland, Calif, City College of San Francisco Mid-year transfer from City College of San Francisco . is an experienced cornerback with a 4.5 40-yard dash speed . during his two years at CCSF, under head coach George Rush, he helped the Rams achieve a 22-2 record and advance to the state title game both seasons, winning the championship in 2011 ... totaled 57 tackles, including 43 solo takedowns, along with five interceptions and 22 pass breakups to help his team finish atop the NorCal Conference in 2011 and 2012 . had a conference-best 19 passes defended in 2011 while helping the Rams earn the No. 1 ranking in the nation by JCfootball.com . attended Bishop O'Dowd High School . has three years to complete his two remaining seasons of eligibility . also recruited by Boise State, Utah, New Mexico and UTEP Television Timetable BYU vs. San Diego Thursday, Feb 7 at San Diego Tipoff: 8:00 pm Mountain Time TV: BYUtv BYU vs. San Francisco Saturday, Feb 9 at Provo Tipoff: 7:00 pm Mountain Time TV: BYUtv BYU vs. Portland Saturday, Feb 16 at Provo Tipoff: 7:00 pm Mountain Time TV: BYUtv BYU vs. Utah State Tuesday, Feb 19 at Provo Tipoff: 7:00 pm Mountain Time TV: BYUtv BYU vs. St. Mary's Thursday, Feb 21 at Moraga Tipoff: 9:00 pm Mountain Time TV: ESPN2 BYU vs. Gonzaga Thursday, Feb 28 at Provo Tipoff: 9:00 pm Mountain Time TV: ESPN2 BYU vs. Loyola Marymount Saturday, Mar 2 at Los Angeles Tipoff: 9:00 pm Mountain Time TV: ESPNU
