Recruiting 2014

[cougjunkie]

Do you feel being a member of the MWC is an advantage to us at this point? I think the increased exposure has helped us. I just can't imagine kids coming to play at BYU and being like "Yeah, being a member of the MWC was a huge deal for me to come to BYU. I just couldn't do without those games against Nevada, New Mexico, and UNLV."

KVN and Hoff both came back because of the schedule. So yes being Independent has paid huge dividends.

[Jeff Lebowski]

Look at you people. Abandoning all hope and proclaiming Independence a failure (Waaaa! Let's go back to the MWC!) because we lose a few non-LDS recruits. This discussion reminds me of this meme:

[Commando]

I don't know who really believes that. The MWC days were a nightmare. We play the big boys on big boy TV now. What's the problem? Are people sad because we aren't winning all our games? Well we'd win a lot more in the MWC, no shit. We'd also kill it in the Big Sky.

[USUC]

Look at you people. Abandoning all hope and proclaiming Independence a failure (Waaaa! Let's go back to the MWC!) because we lose a few non-LDS recruits. This discussion reminds me of this meme:

I'm not sure if I read here or on twitter, but Boise State has lost over 12 commitments over the past couple of weeks. It could definitely be worse (and would be if BYU were in the MWC).

[Jacob]

Interesting. Perhaps I was in the minority thinking any change in recruiting would be negligible.

I don't believe you were in the minority. Quite the contrary. Of course some people thought it would be a minor boost and a few zealots thought it would be a major coup. And then a few people will generalize the comments of a few zealots and complain about the whole fan base, coaching staff, etc. Par for the course, really. I can't see as though it has made much of a difference either way, especially considering most of the recruits since independence have not much played yet. Missions, underclassmen, etc. I seriously doubt it has much hurt as the increased TV visibility can only help, at least slightly. It's not like we are losing major recruits to MWC teams.

[Goatnapper'96]

Look at you people. Abandoning all hope and proclaiming Independence a failure (Waaaa! Let's go back to the MWC!) because we lose a few non-LDS recruits. This discussion reminds me of this meme:

Did you know that there are three constants in the universe:

1.) Sports fans are pussies.
2.) '71 was warning BYU it wasn't going to be bigtime if it didn't change many years ago. But now he is OK with it and doesn't pay attention, or go to the games and isn't bothered at all but wants you to know he predicted it long before it happened.
3.) Every internet post in the history of mankind conclusively proves VirginiaCougars points.

[MarkGrace]

Again, this was hashed out in earlier discussions. Cliffs notes version - Its about banging.

Yeah, it's not about comparing football programs. It's been the non-LDS kids, and it's easy to see why they would jump once a program in a good conference comes along, even if that program isn't very good.

[smokymountainrain]

Do you feel being a member of the MWC is an advantage to us at this point? I think the increased exposure has helped us. I just can't imagine kids coming to play at BYU and being like "Yeah, being a member of the MWC was a huge deal for me to come to BYU. I just couldn't do without those games against Nevada, New Mexico, and UNLV."

I prefer Independence over the MWC. However, I just didn't feel like it would be a significant boost from a recruiting perspective. They still have the same advantages and disadvantages of being BYU and having the honor code. I guess, ultimately, I'm not surprised when they lose recruits to schools like Indiana and Purdue - or even Idaho State for that matter. In the understatement of the century, the honor code isn't for everybody.

[USUC]

I prefer Independence over the MWC. However, I just didn't feel like it would be a significant boost from a recruiting perspective. They still have the same advantages and disadvantages of being BYU and having the honor code. I guess, ultimately, I'm not surprised when they lose recruits to schools like Indiana and Purdue - or even Idaho State for that matter. In the understatment of the century, the honor code isn't for everybody.

There is the perception that conference affiliation alone will hurt/help recruiting. Unless you are in the SEC, I don't think it makes that big of a difference. The more you win, the better the recruiting. Conference affiliation makes the biggest difference if you win in the Big 5 conferences. All the bravado coming from Utah fans about how the game has changed now that they are in the PAC-12 and they can sit back and watch recruits swarm to them turned out to be complete BS.

[The_Douger]

I prefer Independence over the MWC. However, I just didn't feel like it would be a significant boost from a recruiting perspective. They still have the same advantages and disadvantages of being BYU and having the honor code. I guess, ultimately, I'm not surprised when they lose recruits to schools like Indiana and Purdue - or even Idaho State for that matter. In the understatement of the century, the honor code isn't for everybody.

I guess I'm surprised because I'd want to play for a winning team. Rules aside, those aren't great programs, which is why I'm a bit surprised, but it is what it is. I hate the HC.

[Topper]

It seems disappointing to lose recruits to Vandy or Indiana, but what remains unknown is did we get what we need to cure our deficiencies from last year?

We needed receiver help. We got at least one in Kurtz but apparently it is uncertain whether we sign any other.

CJ says we had a lot of OL last year so we don't need much this year? We already know we lost Mama.

What about DL, LB and CB? It doesn't seem as if we got much help there. IOW, it doesn't look like much of a class. From what I've seen the rankings reflect this class to be about no. 61. That seems to represent a decline in comparison to past years. In light of how we don't like up well against Top 25 teams, it seems that trend will continue. There was a time when BYU considered itself a Top 25 program. Are those who denigrate those of us are dissatisfied as pussies, pleased BYU will no longer climb into the Top 25? Do you think you are please if BYU hovers around .500 and is about 50th to 60th placed program? Is that the destiny of BYU that will make you enjoy watching?

[Topper]

I guess I'm surprised because I'd want to play for a winning team. Rules aside, those aren't great programs, which is why I'm a bit surprised, but it is what it is. I hate the HC.

The Honor Code is an anchor around our teams' necks. Loosening its application would go a long way to regaining a few of those recruits. The HC isn't even a benefit for many LDS recruits.

[SCcoug]

It seems disappointing to lose recruits to Vandy or Indiana,

Purdue.

[The_Douger]

You don't just cure poor offensive line play in one year. You can improve it, but it's going to take a few classes to get to the point where that is remedied.

We get all of our injured cornerbacks back. We have a lot of depth in the secondary. I don't worry about linebacker, we've proven we can reload at that position. We're about at that point with the defensive line as well. There's a lot of RMs on the DLine coming back. Marques Johnson really played well in the last few games, and JonRyheem Peoples will be playing as well. The defense will be fine. In fact, the offense will as well. It was fine this year besides the red zone. A more mature group of players will help that, and there's really nowhere to go but up for the offensive line.

[byu71]

Look at you people. Abandoning all hope and proclaiming Independence a failure (Waaaa! Let's go back to the MWC!) because we lose a few non-LDS recruits. This discussion reminds me of this meme:

LOL, the king of putting words in people's mouths. I think the gist of the comments was Independence didn't provide an upgrade in recruiting as some thought. How does that equate to wanting to go back to the MWC?