
Originally Posted by
cougjunkie
This class leaves a lot to be desired.
1. Conover is the jewel of the class. 4 star qb who could have gone anywhere in the country. I think he is followed closely by Cade Albright, he is another mission first kid and needs to put on serious weight. Played last year at 6'5 220. But he lead all of Socal in sacks with 21.5. Had offers from 10 P5s including NEbraska, Notre Dame, and UCLA. Between Albright and Michael Daley you have 50 combined sacks their senior seasons.
2. We didn't land any RBs we were hoping for, so we took a flier on Javelle Brown. He played all over the field in high school. Rushed for about 600 yards on 8.4 ypc, also had 500 receiving. Played safety and corner. I think we start him at RB but he ends up playing defense. Luc Andrada is another kid who might get some time at RB. He is a speedster, 10.65 100m, also top 20 nationally in the 60. He played qb in high school but will be a RB/Slot at BYU.
3. Other than that, it is very much a mixed bag. Chase Roberts was great get but again mission first kid. George Udo is a total project but could end up being ok. Brooks Maile, Bruce Mitchell, and Brock Gunderson all have to gain weight and get bigger before they impact the game.
4. We did add more tight end depth with Ethan Erickson, Trey Anderson and Carter Wheat. Although I think Anderson moves to O-line. Returning from missions are Isaac Rex, Alema Pilimai, and Donovan Hanna. All of these guys are in the 6'4-6'6 range and 220-245 pounds. Bronco loved recruiting that body type as they can play tight end, D-end, OLB or even O-tackle (like Braden Brown did). Seems Kalani has followed that same model.
5. PWOs, BYU signed 14 of them. I don't hate them taking a flyer on a few kids, it worked last year with Dax Milne. All the PWOs BYU signed are about 5'11 180 and pasty white. Ethan Slade put up big numbers at Orem (12 ints last year) but doesn't look all that impressive on tape. Jake Jensen the qb from PG was about the 5th best qb in Utah County last year. They did land two Rbs who are PWOs- Alex Meza who rushed for 1,000 yards in JC ball last year, and Bailey Sulzer a running back from West Valley High in California. I actually think Sulzer could be a surprise. He ran for 2,000 yards and 30 tds (7.4 ypc) last year along with 150 tackles and 17 tfls. He is lds and heading on a mission first (already has his call to Oregon). He is the type of kid that is worth a PWO for sure.
6. The misses-
Cooper Legas- I don't think he is a huge miss as a qb prospect, and BYU barely offered a week ago. But he is a good athlete and we lost a head to head matchup with Utah State, which is never ok.
Alphonzo Andrews- would have helped our running back depth yet he chose Wyoming
Aidan Robbins- Another big RB, not sure if we really had a shot at him but we did get him to at least trip
Thomas Grayson, DeShawn Collins, Christian Hunter- All RBs that BYU offered who ended up getting last minute P5 offers and spurned BYU.
Puka Nacua- obviously this is a huge loss. He has yet to sign but I think he ends up at UW
Logan Sagapolu- local kid who ends up leaving the state for Oregon
Simote Pepa- Bingham kid, chose Utah
Mase Funa- 4 star recruit who chose Oregon (his brother is at BYU)
Lolani Langi and Junior Tafuna- 2 more 3 star kids from Bingham, chose Boise and Utah over BYU.
Tasili Fiatoa- has been committed to BYU for 3 years, some say he lost his schollie. Not really sure but he picked Navy.
Lots of big name LDS kids with BYU ties that we didn't even get a sniff from. Henry To'oto (Ten), Siaki Ika (decommitted over a year ago,LSU), Sione Vaki (Utah), Miki Ah You (UW), Faatui Tuitele (UW), Suaava Poti (Oregon, HFN get your ducks off our recruits), Troy Fautanu (UW), Enokk Vimahi (Ohio State), George Holani (Boise State).