College football: Bingham receiver Hayden Weichers commits to BYU

Throughout his life, Hayden Weichers has been a BYU fan — only natural for the son of ex-Cougars safety Greg Weichers. He would go to BYU football games with his father and watch the players running out of the tunnel. One day, Hayden wanted to make his father proud by running out as a member of the team.

On Monday, Weichers decided to make that dream a reality.The 2013 wide receiver has committed to BYU football after a strong junior year at Bingham High. He needed time to make sure he was making the right decision after BYU offered a scholarship last week.

"I just wanted to pray about it and make sure it was the right place for me to go," he said. "I was at a pool party on Friday and was talking to [fellow teammate Keegan Hicks] and he asked me, 'When are you going to finally commit?' And I just felt like I got an answer to my prayers."

Along with Hicks, Weichers is the second Bingham athlete to commit to the Cougars. He caught 33 passes for a team-high 710 yards nine touchdowns, and also was the Miners' top return man last season. The BYU staff envisions the 6-foot Weichers as a wideout, using 4.5-second 40-time speed to get open in the college ranks.

Weichers said he and Hicks would be pushing other teammates and friends to join them at BYU, particularly Alta tight end Harrison Handley.

Bingham has several other Division I prospects in the fold. The top by far is Lowell Lotulelei, a defensive tackle with offers from most of the Pac-12. Linebacker Durrant Miles committed to Boise State last week. Coach Dave Peck also noted rising junior Dalton Schultz as a player to watch at tight end.

With that brand of talent, Weichers hopes the Miners can turn around their fortunes this season after falling in the second round of the Class 5A playoffs.

"We're a legit band of brothers this year," he said. "We're a totally different team."