Recruiting Impact - BYU Coaches & Recruiting Coordinator

For the second year in a row, BYU has expanded their recruiting footprint to include places where they haven’t focused as often as in previous years. In my opinion, it appears to be a combination of several factors:



a. the exposure from playing on ESPN (across the country) and upcoming schedule with big name teams. BYU is willing to play with the best and take on anyone. This is not lost on recruits who want to showcase their skills.

b. the new offensive staff that consists of: Mark Atuaia (running backs), Jason Beck (quarterbacks), Guy Holliday (receivers) and Garett Tujague (offensive line) and their connections. They seem to have infused excitement into the recruiting process and embraced the commitment and hard work required.

c. the addition of Geoff Martzen as a full-time personnel director and recruiting coordinator) who isn't LDS. Prior to his hiring, a member of the coaching staff served as the recruiting coordinator. His directing the recruiting and use of social media/organizational talents has made a huge difference in the program. His effort frees up coaches to evaluate talent and not have to identify and determine HC, academic fits, etc.). I sure hope that we hire someone as talented as Geoff but with more long-term commitment.

d. improved signing day event and utilization of former players/alumni. Nice touch to have former legends introduce new recruits as well as the tailored You Tube raps for each player.



As a result, it seems as if they have broadened pursuing a diverse pool of talented athletes — especially those who are not members of the LDS Church but who value strong moral values that align with a Christian upbringing. I believe that this diversity has increased the number of Polys and Blacks that are now part of the team.



Another note, in 2014 a number of players were recruited to fill pressing needs and immediately contribute. In 2015, it appears there is less a need for that and more focus on building depth for either the future or 2-3 deep rotation.



2014:



1. Transfers/JC - 5



a. California (3):

Devon Blackmon, WR; Riverside City College

Nick Kurtz, WR; Grossmont College

Keanu Nelson, DB; Stanford



b. Texas (1):

Jordan Leslie, WR; UTEP



c. Nebraska (1):

Harvey Jackson, FS; NE



2. High School - 17



a. Texas (2):

Trey Dye, WR; Abilene

Tejan Koroma, OL; Allen



b. Arizona (2):

Matt Bushman, TE; Tucson

Chandon Herring, OL; Gilbert



c. Kansas (2):

Austin Chambers, OL; Shawnee Mission

Earl Mariner, DL; Topeka



d. California (5):

Tyler Cook, LB; Murrieta

Sione Takitaki, LB; Fontana

Teancum "Tico" Fuga, DL; Huntington Beach

Fred Warner, LB; San Marcos

Uriah Leiataua, DL; Compton



e. Utah (4):

Isaiah Kaufusi, DB/LB; Salt Lake City

Kavika Fonua, DB; Syracuse

Zac Dawe, DL; Pleasant Grove

Isaiah Nacua, DL; Provo



f. NC (1):

Michael Shelton, DB; Raleigh



g. AL (1):

Jaterrius Gulley, DL; Hoover



2015:



1. Transfers/JC - 2



a. Washington (1):

Squally Canada, RB; Wash. State



b. Utah (1):

Eric Takenaka, DB; Snow College



2. High School - 21



a. Texas (6):

Akile Davis, WR; DeSoto

Micah Simon, ATH; Dallas

Charles West, RB, Coppell

JJ Nwigwe, OL; Heath

Trevor Brent, DB; Mesquite

Jacob Jimenez, OL; Pflugerville



b. California (4):

Kieffer Longson, OL; San Ramon

David Lui, DE; Pittsburg

Tevita Mo'unga, DT; Murrieta

Will Sedgwick, LB; Laguna Hills



c. Utah (8):

Kody Wilstead, QB; Pine View

Devin Kaufusi, DE; Provo

Jeremiah Ieremia, MLB; Hurricane

Riley Burt, RB; Brigham City

Zane Anderson, S; Stansbury

Dayan Lake, CB; Layton

Demetrius Davis, OL; Pleasant Grove

Brady Christensen, OL; Bountiful



d. Hawaii (1):

Mika Tafua, DE; Honolulu, Hawaii



e. Kentucky (1):

Beau Hoge, QB; Ft. Thomas



f. Tonga (1):

Motekiai Taukolo Langi, OL/DL; Tonga

There was some need-based recruiting going on. Per Martzen's comments at the Cougar Club lunch:



-Hoge was brought in specifically as a Taysom-like guy to provide depth at QB along with Wilstead. After this year, they plan for 1 QB signee per year.



-No tight ends were signed, and none were heavily recruited as the coaches perceived a bit of log jam at that position right now with a lot of young guys on the roster and coming back from missions. They will be pursuing TEs next year though to build/maintain depth at that position as well.

Might as well include preferred walk-ons in this list as well because several of these players had options to sign with other schools and instead chose to come to BYU. Note two of them are potential tight ends.



Transfers - 2



WA (1):

Kamel Greene, CB, WSU (NR, 5-foot-11, 178 pounds; 4.48/40, teammate of Squally Canada)



NM (1):

Jackson Kaka, TE; NMSU (2-star, 6-foot-4, 210 pounds, played in all 12 games for NMSU/2011 as a freshman prior to serving a mission)



High School - 3



TX (2):

Scott Huntsman, TE/LB; Coppell (2-star, 6-foot-4, 225 pounds, 4.5/40, teammate of recruit Charles West, turned down scholarship offers from Purdue, Houston, Air Force, and New Mexico)

Koy Detmer, Jr., QB; Somerset (3-star, 5-foot-10, 165 pounds, turned down UTSA scholarship)



CA (1):

a. Matt Foley, LS; Temecula, (NR, 6-foot-1, 215 pounds, known as a talented deep snapper)