This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2011, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Provo • Brigham Young University football coaches signed arguably the school's most talented recruiting class ever last year, especially at the skill positions. They landed quarterback Jake Heaps, receiver Ross Apo, running back Joshua Quezada and others who made an immediate impact last fall.
This year's class, which will sign on Wednesday, is much different both in terms of star power and position. The Cougars went heavy on defensive players and linemen this year, and will likely sign just one quarterback (Mountain Crest's Alex Kuresa), no receivers and no true running backs.
The class lacks a highly recruited potential superstar, like Heaps was last year, but is full of what recruiting coordinator Paul Tidwell calls "building blocks," guys who will provide depth and move into starting roles down the road.
"The majority of the guys signed will be defensive players," he said. "We targeted some defensive holes. … We are happy and excited about the young men that have committed to us, and are looking forward to Wednesday."
Tidwell said the Cougars expect to sign 15 players — fewer than in most years, due to available scholarships being taken by returning missionaries — and all 15 are high school players. One, American Fork lineman Ryker Mathews, the most sought-after player the Cougars landed this year, graduated early and has already started classes.
Four of the players will go on LDS Church missions before enrolling, but Tidwell isn't allowed to say who they are, per NCAA rules. Four are from Bingham High School, which has proved to be a fertile recruiting ground the past few years: defensive end Baker Pritchard, linebacker Manoa Pikula and defensive tackles Moses Kaumatule and Kesni Tausinga.
"It just happened to be a year where there were some good instate defensive linemen at a high school [Bingham] that we have had success in recruiting. And it worked out that way that they were all on board and interested in BYU, and we chose to take them," Tidwell said. "It is going to be a good thing to have that kind of depth and quality of players."
Most of the recruits committed last summer before BYU announced its plans to go independent, and before it signed a deal to have most of its games televised by ESPN, so Tidwell doesn't know what kind of impact those announcements had.
"The ones that I am working with, there's been no wavering," he said.
The class will be bolstered by three players transferring from Pac-10 schools — USC's Uona Kaveinga and Hebron Fangupo and Oregon State linebacker Devin Unga. Kaveinga and Fangupo are eligible to play in 2011, while Unga must sit out a year due to NCAA transfer rules and will have three years to play two when he is eligible.
Defensive back Preston Hadley, a transfer from Snow College, has already enrolled and will be available to play in the fall. Tidwell said one running back, Adam Hine of St. George, will return from his church mission in August but will likely redshirt.
"As we have said 500 times, we are a lot different than most universities at BYU. We look for obviously our position needs, and we look for GPA, and information on anything that we can find, information on what kind of kid they are, character," Tidwell said, when asked what kind of criteria the coaching staff uses to find players.
Twitter: @drewjay —
BYU's Football Commitments, 2011
Player Pos. Hometown School Ht/Wt
Baker Pritchard DE South Jordan Bingham H.S. 6-2/240
Brother of BYU linebacker Iona Pritchard, who's currently on church mission
Manoa Pikula FB/LB South Jordan Bingham H.S. 6-1/205
Known for big hits and speed, having been clocked at 4.7 in the 40
Alex Kuresa QB Hyrum Mountain Crest H.S. 5-11/160
One of the most prolific quarterbacks in Utah prep football history
Lui Lapuaho OT West Valley City Hunter H.S. 6-7/285
Son of former BYU OL Rob Lapuaho has added pounds since committing
Moses Kaumatule DT South Jordan Bingham H.S. 6-2/245
Known as "Mo-Mo," he's one of four Bingham products set to sign with BYU
Kesni Tausinga DT South Jordan Bingham H.S. 6-0/260
Has a nose guard-type body, but moves well and has a good burst off the ball
Ryker Mathews OT American Fork American Fork H.S. 6-6/270
Graduated from high school early and enrolled at BYU in January
Colby Jorgensen TE Provo Timpview H.S. 6-7/215
All-around excellent athlete could play a variety of positions at BYU
Corbin Kaufusi DE Provo Timpview H.S. 6-6/215
Son of BYU defensive line coach Steve Kaufusi, excellent pass rusher
Matt Sumsion TE Springville Springville H.S. 6-8/210
Also an outstanding basketball player; a tough competitor in both sports
Austin Heder LB Pleasant Grove Pleasant Grove H.S. 6-2/215
Versatile athlete could play a variety of positions at BYU
Adam Pulsipher LB Temecula Valley, Calif. Temecula Valley H.S. 6-2/200
Recorded 126 tackles, two sacks and two fumble recoveries senior year
Stehly Reden DE Valley Center, Calif. Valley Center H.S. 6-6/235
Will probably end up playing on the offensive line; athletic with long arms
Lene Lesatele LB Cerritos, Calif. Richard Gahr H.S. 6-2/230
Committed early, then got some late offers from Pac-10 schools but held steady
Brian Rawlinson OT Oologah, Okla. Oologah-Talala H.S. 6-5/285
Some strong Big 12 programs backed off when they learned about his mission plans
Aulelio Olomua DE Mesa, Ariz. Mesa H.S. 6-5/285
Played some tight end in high school, committed late after trip to Arizona