Recruit Watch 11/17

• Huge game: It didn't take long for Skyline (Wash.) and BYU commit Jake Heaps (6-2 195 QB) to make an impression on undefeated South Kitsap. Heaps threw for 307 yards and seven touchdowns -- all in the first half -- as Skyline rolled to a 63-14 second-round playoff victory. Four of Heaps' touchdowns went to wide receiver Kasen Williams (eight catches, 108 yards) and Heaps went 20-of-27 passing. This season Heaps has thrown 29 touchdown passes and just four interceptions. Skyline, which led South Kitsap 56-14 at halftime, will play Curtis in the 4A semifinals.



• On to the finals: BYU prospect Harvey Langi (6-1 208) scored twice as Bingham (Utah) moved into the Class 5A title game with a 28-19 victory over Alta. Langi finished with 14 carries for 78 yards. Another BYU prospect, Manoa Pikula (6-0 205 LB) had five tackles for Bingham.



• And the opponent is ...: Bingham will play Davis, a 41-17 winner over Hunter, in the 5A title game. BYU prospect Tanner Hinds (5-10 194 RB) has had a spectacular playoff run. In Saturday's semifinal win over Hunter, Hinds had 19 carries for 187 yards and touchdown runs of 38 and 77 yards. In three playoff wins, Hinds has rushed for 560 yards and five touchdowns. This season, Hinds has 1,888 rushing yards and 23 touchdowns. According to sources, BYU has yet to offer Hinds. :bug: His younger brother, Troy (6-3 209 DE), is a 2012 BYU prospect who has 71 tackles and two sacks this season. Davis' quarterback is junior Gavin Fowler, the son of former BYU quarterback Blaine Fowler.



• As usual: BYU prospect Bryson McKenzie (6-0 215 RB) got Timpview (Utah) off to a good start in the Class 4A semifinals with a 55-yard run on the T'Birds first offensive play. Timpview went on to beat top-ranked Mountain Crest 38-21 for its fourth straight trip to the 4A finals. McKenzie finished with 79 yards on seven carries. Mountain Crest junior Alex Kuresa, younger brother of former BYU offensive lineman Jake Kuresa, threw for 375 yards. Timpview (10-2) takes on Springville (11-1) in the 4A title game. Springville is coached by former Utah and NFL quarterback Scott Mitchell.



• Big numbers: BYU commit Drew Phillips (6-0 185 RB) is ranked first in nine Boaz career statistical categories, including 5,575 rushing yards. Ricky Smith of the Sand Mountain Reporter has more on Phillips' brilliant career at http://www.sandmountainreporter.com/story.lasso?ewcd=fdceadbfc9acd7e3.



• Unbeaten: Oaks Christian (Calif.) and BYU commits Zac Stout (6-2 220 LB) and Alani Fua (6-4 210 LB) finished the regular season 10-0 and Tri-League champions with a 56-6 victory over Nordhoff. Oaks Christian, on a 31-game winning streak, returned three interceptions for touchdowns in the first quarter and led 42-0.



• Rolling on: BYU commit Collin Keoshian (6-2 225 RB/LB) of Santa Clarita Christian School (Calif.) got all of his work done early in a 62-0 rout of Southlands Christian in the first round of the 8-man football state playoffs. Keoshian took the first snap and ran 65 yards for a touchdown, then later in the first quarter scored on a 41-yard run and 1-yard run. SCCS led 30-0 after the first 12 minutes. In barely a half of play, Keoshian carried four times for 100 yards and three touchdowns. He was also 3-of-4 passing for 47 yards. SCCS moves on to the second round with a rematch against Hesperia Christian. Earlier this season, Keoshian ran for 304 yards and seven touchdowns in a 66-43 win.



• Can't be stopped: BYU prospect Joshua Quezada (6-0 198 RB) ran for 274 yards and scored five touchdowns as La Habra (Calif.) flew past Fullerton 52-21. Quezada scored on runs of 49, 1, 1 and 66 yards and also added a 17-yard pass reception for a touchdown. La Habra is 9-1 heading into the playoffs.



• Season finale: BYU commit Kori Gaines (5-9 175 DB) and his Grayson (Ga.) team held Marietta to just three first downs in a 21-14 victory. Grayson finished the regular season 11-0 and now prepares for the playoffs as one of the top teams in Class AAAAA.



• End of the line: BYU prospect Brandon Bourbon (6-1 209 RB) rushed for 115 yards but it wasn't enough as Potosi (Mo.) lost to New Madrid County Central 32-24 in the first round of the playoffs. Bourbon ended the season with more than 2,300 rushing yards.



http://heraldextra.com/sports/college/byu/football/article_7237809f-a62c-54b8-a20c-cb7982e82b6c.html

We seem to be going for a lot of RB's. Is that because they are usually pretty athletic and may end up playing defense, or do we need a big pool of RB's?



Go Cougs!



L Hatton

Louisville KY

Mars wrote:
• Huge game: It didn't take long for Skyline (Wash.) and BYU commit Jake Heaps (6-2 195 QB) to make an impression on undefeated South Kitsap. Heaps threw for 307 yards and seven touchdowns -- all in the first half -- as Skyline rolled to a 63-14 second-round playoff victory. Four of Heaps' touchdowns went to wide receiver Kasen Williams (eight catches, 108 yards) and Heaps went 20-of-27 passing. This season Heaps has thrown 29 touchdown passes and just four interceptions. Skyline, which led South Kitsap 56-14 at halftime, will play Curtis in the 4A semifinals.

307 yards and seven touchdowns in one half. That is pretty amazing!

KYCoug wrote:
We seem to be going for a lot of RB's. Is that because they are usually pretty athletic and may end up playing defense, or do we need a big pool of RB's?



Go Cougs!



L Hatton

Louisville KY

Keoshian will play LB and some have speculated that Phillips may play in the slot, but we'll see.

Also, I believe Langi is a junior so he still has another year. McKenzie might play LB also. We'll only get either Quezada or Bourbon not both, although we may not get either of them.

Maybe Bronco is following the TCU plan. convert those RB to fast DE and get the sack.

KYCoug wrote:
We seem to be going for a lot of RB's. Is that because they are usually pretty athletic and may end up playing defense, or do we need a big pool of RB's?



Go Cougs!



L Hatton

Louisville KY

never thought of it that way!

but good idea... recruit tons of RB's, use a couple of them, and toss the rest into our secondary to give it some speed!

Bronco is a smart football guy and I trust him. I think he came in with the intention of cleaning up the grease fire that was the Crowton era, and to establish his standards for the program. He did that by going for character guys first and foremost. Now, his culture is firmly rooted in place, so he is going after more speed guys that perhaps he could have got into BYU before, but maybe the framework to keep those guys happy and living the HC was not. Now it is, and the recruiting net is being expanded. This year there are more non-LDS guys, more speed and skill than any class, perhaps ever. And the 2009 class was great as well. You can see that Bronco knows what he is doing, knows what needs he has to address and is getting players in to address those needs. It will take time for it to show on the field, but it will show. Expect 2011 or 2012 to begin an era of BYU football with skill, execution AND speed.

Yea baby. I am anxious to get this class signed and then get a lot of top recruit committments for this next class. Bronco will keep it going. Heap's greatest mission might be the converts to BYU football amoung potential recruits. Something tells me this next class will top the 2010 class.