Lets break it down by offers.........

[DrumNFeather]

Since 2002 (which is as far back as the recruiting websites go) non-lds kids from the state of Utah (excluding JC kids as most of them are transplants from other states):

Committed to BYU:
Daniel Coats, Tico Pringle, Scotty Ebert, Garrett Nicholson

(Ebert never got in to school went to Snow, Pringle left school went to SUU, Nicholson is no longer in school. Coats big time success story currently in the NFL)

Committed to Utah:
Kyle Brady, Marquis Wilson, Zane Beadles, Zane Taylor, Sausan Shakerin, Kendrick Moeai, Vyncent Jones (?), Mookie Murphy

Non-lds kids that left the state:
Alex Cate-Oklahoma State
Lynn Katoa- Colorado (now not playing football kicked out)
John Martinez- USC

Utah has had much more success with non-lds Utah kids than BYU.

Is Chris Washington LDS?

[cougjunkie]

Is Chris Washington LDS?

I forgot about him, I am pretty sure he is not LDS.

[Hot Lunch]

I forgot about him, I am pretty sure he is not LDS.

You are correct. He is not LDS.

[Portland Ute]

I'm glad you said that because it was my next question. That certainly makes sense.

However, just as BYU's LDS recruiting base will get better, the same thing is going to happen with non-LDS kids in Utah.

As Utah's population continues to shift towards being less LDS, there will be more and more non-LDS Utah kids that will, if they stay in state, be much more likely to go to Utah than BYU.

[Blueintheface]

However, just as BYU's LDS recruiting base will get better, the same thing is going to happen with non-LDS kids in Utah.

As Utah's population continues to shift towards being less LDS, there will be more and more non-LDS Utah kids that will, if they stay in state, be much more likely to go to Utah than BYU.

Seems to be working now.

[Portland Ute]

Seems to be working now.

And if there is one thing we can be absolutely sure of in life, it's that NOTHING ever changes.

How many years ago was it when BYU's basketball program was in the absolute crapper and couldn't even recruit the LDS kids in Utah?

I'm guessing that the demographic shift in Utah is going to be pretty similar in rate to that of the demographic shift within the LDS church.

I have no evidence or study to back me up. It's just a hunch. The LDS church just isn't growing in the U.S. like it was. Latin Americans aren't going to produce BYU a lot of talented football or basketball players. Maybe Africa?

BYU types like to point to the increasing number of African American members of the LDS church, but I can't believe that growth is any more beneficial to BYU long term than the increasing non-LDS population in Utah will be to the U.

I do think there is a strong correlation between being Utah County LDS and drive for athletic success. There are more academies down there than anywhere else in Utah. I think Utah County folks are coo-koo for Cocoa Puffs when it comes to sports. The rest of Utah isnt' that way. I think the U.C. parents encourage participation and excellence in team sports in a way that does not happen in Utah outside of Utah county.

I think kids in SL, Weber and Davis county are more likely to be in the band and play video games these days. And their parents are content with that. Yes, I am saying that Utah County, in terms of extra-curricular choices, is the least nerdy. However, don't extrapolate that beyond sports.