Kaufusi Poll

Bronson Kaufusi and Bronco both commented on Dave Rose courting Kaufusi to play basketball after the football season ends. Bronson is all for it. Bronco says it is premature and it is rare that a player can be good at two sports at this level. But he did not say no. Kaufusi said he will not do it without Bronco's permission. Bronco says we will see after the bowl game. Kaufusi says he is focused on football for now. He was all-state in basketball in high school and would have probably gotten a schollie offer if he had not committed to football so early.



Good idea or bad idea or IDC.



I hope Hawkwing does not jump me for mixing FB and BB in the FB poll - the other choice was the opposite - well the other other chance would have been to say nothing and leave this for others to sort out and figure out where to post.



Anyway - move it wherever you want it - I can deal with it.

I voted bad idea due to risk of injury or burned out wheels - but it would make for a great story.

He hasn't played competitive bball since he was a junior in HS.

He's big and we don't have any big dudes on the team. What we have are tall and lanky kids. I'll take him.

I think we can leave this here because it does touch upon BYU football, but are you saying you don't know where the basketball forum is? All you have to do is go to the Board Index and then choose Basketball.

hawkwing wrote:
I think we can leave this here because it does touch upon BYU football, but are you saying you don't know where the basketball forum is? All you have to do is go to the Board Index and then choose Basketball.

No, I am saying it is unavoidable to talk about both football and basketball in this post, so no matter where you put it, it touches on both. Just Sayin - I don't care which forum you want to put it in.



I put it here, because the issue about whether or not this should happen are less about whether he can contribute in basketball and more about whether this would hurt the football team trying to replace its razor thin, senior laden, DL.



For others, it may be more about whether he will be able to contribute on this basketball team and be more of a basketball topic.



[ Post made via Mobile Device ] http://cougarcorner.com/images/mobile.png" alt="" loading="lazy" style="max-width:100%">

I say let the kid play if he is good enough. How many kids get the chance to play big-time college football and basketball? What an opportunity for him.

Mars wrote:


Rose did recruit Kaufusi to play basketball at BYU back when he was in high school. He averaged about 16 points per game as a junior.

Agree. Article said he would have been offered a BB schollie had he not committed so early to BYU FB.



[ Post made via Mobile Device ] http://cougarcorner.com/images/mobile.png" alt="" loading="lazy" style="max-width:100%">

It seems to me that it was Gifford Nielson who played both basketball and football for the Y. I remember being at the game against the Pukes one November and Gifford was holding for a field goal attempt. A Puke huge Puke D-lineman broke through and blocked the kick. It actually went straight into his gut where he tucked it and and lumbered for the TD. Neilson chased him all the way and couldn't catch up to him. Glen Potter was the B-ball coach at that time and was quoted as saying that if he couldn't catch a 300 lb. lineman he was too slow to run the fast break on the basketball court. Thus ended the inglorious basketball career of Gifford Neilson.



Someone correct me if I'm wrong. That was a loooooong time ago.

Rose approached BK, this time and for the second time. it means we are somewhere between "in need" to desperate for some muscle. I like it for Hoops. He will bring some Ziggy to the hardwood! He may or may not contribute offensively, but the other team will know when he is pounding down low.

And yes, we will all be nervous for injury. Because he would bring some much needed Ziggy next year on the gridiron. I think Bronco will discourage it, but I would guess that Rose, classy guy that he is, got permission from Bronco before calling BK. Just some thoughts.

If he can make the team and earn a spot then why not? Though at the college level a multisport athlete is very rare and I wonder if such a transition works well. Multi-sport athletes (Charlie Ward is the only football/basketball guy that comes to mind for me...) are rarely able to play at that level as the different skills in different sports get practiced and worked on year round by the single sport athletes and it takes a special breed to excel without full time work.

Bo Jackson, Jim Thorpe, John Elway, Danny Ainge - multi-sport athletes. However, I don't recall that Ainge was on the BYU baseball team - just the Toronto Blue Jays before quitting and heading to the Celtics. But Bo Jackson was great in football and baseball until his career ending injury in football.



Here's my absolutely useless opinion: Bronson Kaufusi in football and basketball is a terrific idea unless he gets injured in either sport. Then suddenly it's not such terrific idea.

Didn't Charlie Ward play both for Florida St?

BYU currently has a two-sport athlete that conceivably could end up All-American in both sports.



Her name is Jennifer Hamson - Volleyball and Basketball. Yes - I'm a fan of all BYU sports! 8)

SpiffCoug wrote:
Didn't Charlie Ward play both for Florida St?

Yup. Dirty nole-holes.

At the college level, I think its good for athletic development. Several current NFL tight ends were basketball players (maybe Kaufusi should change positions):



Tony Gonzalez (Falcons): played football and basketball at Cal



Antonio Gates (Chargers): enrolled at Michigan State intending to play both football and basketball, but Nick Saban wanted him to be football only, so he transferred and he ended up at Kent State playing only basketball



Jimmy Graham (Saints): played football and basketball at University of Miami, though he played out his basketball eligibility before playing 1 year of football



Other college basketball playing NFL players include Julius Peppers (North Carolina), Antwaan Randle El (Indiana), and Donovan McNabb (Syracuse).

Please make it happen Bronson, Bronco, and Dave. Basketball team could REALLY use this guy



[ Post made via Mobile Device ] http://cougarcorner.com/images/mobile.png" alt="" loading="lazy" style="max-width:100%">

Isn't it really up to Kaufusi? If the guy wants to try and do both let him. Would be pretty lame of Bronco to not "let" Kaufusi play hoops if he wanted. Bronco is probably scared Kaufusi would like hoops more. Ha!



[ Post made via Mobile Device ] http://cougarcorner.com/images/mobile.png" alt="" loading="lazy" style="max-width:100%">

I remember G. Nelson playing basketball. He was listed at 6'5". He mysteriously lost an inch when he played football. I like the list of football/basketball players. Years ago Utah State had a guy named Cornel Green who played basketball and got some all american mention but went to the D. Cowboys and played safety for years.



I'd like to see Kaufusi play basketball.