HB Arnett’s
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West 800 South –
Vol. 33,
Issue 28 – February 7, 2013
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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,
Inoke
Lotulelei, WR, 5-9, 175,
Kalolo Manumaleuna,
LB/DL, 6-2, 250,
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
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
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’s press
conference for yourself
2013
BYU Football Recruiting Class
Edward
Fusi, Offensive line, 6-1, 285,
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,
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,
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,
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,
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,
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,
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,
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
Moroni
Laulu-Pututau, Tight end, 6-4, 190,
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,
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,
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,
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,
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,
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,
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,
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,
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,
A
two-time first-team All-State honoree … led
Addison
Pulsipher, Offensive line, 6-6, 260,
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,
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,
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,
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,
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,
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,
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.
Thursday, Feb 7 at
Tipoff: 8:00 pm Mountain
Time
TV: BYUtv
BYU vs.
Saturday, Feb 9 at
Tipoff: 7:00 pm Mountain
Time
TV: BYUtv
BYU vs.
Saturday, Feb 16 at
Tipoff: 7:00 pm Mountain
Time
TV: BYUtv
BYU vs.
Tuesday, Feb 19 at
Tipoff: 7:00 pm Mountain
Time
TV: BYUtv
BYU vs.
St. Mary’s
Thursday, Feb 21 at
Tipoff: 9:00 pm Mountain
Time
TV: ESPN2
BYU vs.
Gonzaga
Thursday, Feb 28 at
Tipoff: 9:00 pm Mountain
Time
TV: ESPN2
BYU vs.
Loyola Marymount
Saturday, Mar 2 at
Tipoff: 9:00 pm Mountain
Time
TV: ESPNU