Next order of business: 2019 Early Signing Period

The next item of business to tend to is not the Christmas Eve Hawai'i Bowl, but the early signing window for the class of 2020. The early signing period runs from December 18, 2019 at 7 a.m. (PSA's local time) and will end at 11:59 p.m. on December 20, 2019. Then the regular signing period begins on February 5.



This is part of the reason it was important to lock down the Head Coach with an extension so that he can get guys locked up and if they don't know he will be around may wait until February or consider other options.



Here are the BYU verbal commits--I'm not sure how many are planning to sign in the early commitment window:

QB

Sol-Jay Maiava Washington, DC

RB

Bruce Garrett Texarkana, TX

WR

Devin Downing American Fork, UT

Koa Eldredge Honolulu, HI

Terence Fall San Bernardino, CA

Chris Jackson Walnut, CA (Mt. San Antonio College, Junior)

OL

Isaiah Tupou Sacramento, CA



DL

Isaiah Perez Othello, WA

Sitalingi Havea Mesa, AZ (Mission first)

John Nelson Salem, UT

LB

Bodie Schoonover American Fork, UT (Mission first)

Josh Wilson Draper, UT

Alex Muti Kealakekua, HI

Ace Kaufusi Kahuku, HI

Drason Havea Provo, UT

DB

Logan Pili Provo, UT

Dean Jones Phoenix, AZ



ATH

Nukuluve Helu Tooele, UT

Josh Larsen Woods Cross, UT

Preston Rex San Clemente, CA

Petey Tuipulotu Fort Mill, SC

Ty Burke Syracuse, UT



I know there are some others out there like OL Andrew Gentry from Littleton, CO who would be a huge get if he picks BYU. This will be interesting to watch over the next few weeks.

Doesn't matter. These players will be inconsistent in their play when/if they do suit up and try to make a difference for the Cougars, because they will be led by an inconsistent coach who relies on emotion and not Xs and Ox and game planning to be successful.

SpiffCoug wrote:

Doesn't matter. These players will be inconsistent in their play when/if they do suit up and try to make a difference for the Cougars, because they will be led by an inconsistent coach who relies on emotion and not Xs and Ox and game planning to be successful.

Toughen up buttercup.

What are our chances at OL Gentry? He's a 4-star prospect and has the measurables - 6'8", 310 lbs...



His brother, JT, is on the team and 247Sports lists him as 100% BYU...but he's got offers from just about everyone, including Alabama, Ohio State, Oklahoma, LSU, Notre Dame, etc.

Fido wrote:

Doesn't matter. These players will be inconsistent in their play when/if they do suit up and try to make a difference for the Cougars, because they will be led by an inconsistent coach who relies on emotion and not Xs and Ox and game planning to be successful.

Toughen up buttercup.

You don't need to worry. And I don't need to toughen up. I'll still be watching. I won't change my fandom.

Just saw that we received a hard commit from Ace Kaufusi (Kahuku H.S., Hawaii). Good player with lots of potential at linebacker.



Even better that we will ensure a Kaufusi on the roster for years to come. My sons absolutely love the Kaufusi players.

There's always room for a Kaufusi on the team, wish there was room for a Kaufusi on the staff!

hawkwing wrote:

There's always room for a Kaufusi on the team, wish there was room for a Kaufusi on the staff!

Haha, I think Kaufusi would go mad with the schemes and the lack of hard practices and what he would not be allowed to do.

In reviewing the class as it stands today, BYU has 21 commits--which is a larger class than they usually have it seems. And all of them are listed as 3 stars on 24/7sports. The national class ranking is 70. Last year was 81 and next year is 25--mostly due to those early commits while others don't have them yet.

Some progress.

So the early signing period happens from Wed to Fri. With Gentry committed to Virginia now, the biggest name I know of still outstanding is Tate Romney, ILB with offers from Arizona, Cal, Colorado, Kansas State, Memphis, Utah, Vanderbilt, Washington State, and Yale in addition to BYU--though they predict he will be at BYU with his brothers. The others who had offers seem to have already announced a commitment or are borderline guys.



There is currently 22 verbal commitments with Syracuse HS' Athlete Ty Burke being the most recent.

I had seen over on CB that Rocky Aitogi Fort Scott, KS (Fort Scott CC, Junior) will not be coming to BYU. I thought he had an awesome story and looked forward to his becoming a Cougar.

EM_Puma wrote:

I had seen over on CB that Rocky Aitogi Fort Scott, KS (Fort Scott CC, Junior) will not be coming to BYU. I thought he had an awesome story and looked forward to his becoming a Cougar.

Thanks for that update. I checked and he isn't on the 247 BYU commit list anymore and shows that he decommitted from BYU on December 3. CB also reporting that on Ben Criddle's show they said it was academics that caused an issue.

Great story on JC WR commit Christopher Jackson:

https://www.deseret.com/sports/2019/12/15/21011708/provo-christopher-jackson-recounts-his-dramatic-journey-to-the-byu-cougars-football-program

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I just wanted to give a little input. Ty's sophomore year he was one of two sophomores to be named on the Utah all 5A team. I believe his fastest 100-meter time is below 11 seconds and that took place when he was a sophomore.



During Ty's junior football season he had a very traumatic leg injury that left him in a wheelchair for at least a month. Quite frankly the fact that he was able to heal quickly and play basketball and then run track later that year in my mind is a minor miracle.



Over the years I've watched Ty many times during football games basketball games and track meets and he gets up to his top speed very quickly. I don't know if his hundred meter dash time will get much quicker but from 0 to 40 m he is pretty dang fast.



During his sophomore year and junior year he finished the state meets as the fastest at the 100, 200 and 400 meter for his grade in his specific category 6A or 5A. He is a football first kid and track is a very distant second. In fact, just about everything else comes second.



I see Ty Burke as a diamond in the rough. Had he not had that injury during his junior year, I'm quite confident his recruiting would have been much different.

Thanks for the additional info on Burke. He is an intriguing read. His freak injury/surgery was for compartment syndrome in his leg--basically massive swelling in a small confined space which can cut off the blood flow and result in tissue necrosis and possible amputation.

This is the reason BYU was his only offer. It sounds like he is going to be competing at Safety after serving a mission.

https://kslsports.com/424554/ty-burke-commits-byu-football-syracuse-high-national-signing-day/?

100% BYU kid. I'll be watching him close during track season. Don't be surprised if he wins a few events (IE 100, 200 or 400 M)

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Sounds like even if the high school seniors do sign early, they may not announce them until February with the rest of the class. They intend to focus mainly on the mid-year signees which will include JC transfers who will enroll in January and returned missionaries who are already home.

https://kslsports.com/424520/returning-missionaries-make-up-big-portion-of-byu-footballs-new-faces-in-2020-class/



Here are some of the returned missionaries who are expected to enroll in January (detail on each in link above):

Tyler Batty | DL | Payson HS

Seth Willis | OL | Sandy Hook, CT

Ryan Rehkow | K/P | Veradale, WA

Preston Lewis | LB/DL | Lone Peak HS

Donovan Hanna | TE | Queen Creek, AZ

Mason Fakahua | ATH | Cedar City HS



These guys are still on a mission but will be back in time for fall camp:

Bentley Hanshaw | TE | Moorpark, CA

Tanner Baker | DE | Acworth, GA

Connor Pay | OL | Lone Peak HS

Tysen Lewis | OL | Weber HS

Ben Tuipulotu | TE | Fort Mill, SC

Campbell Barrington | OL | Spokane, WA

Oliver Nasilai | LB | Jessieville, AR

https://247sports.com/college/byu/LongFormArticle/BYU-Football-Recruiting-Who-Are-BYUs-Biggest-Remaining-2020-Targets-140621495/#140621495_1

Here is a great update on the latest for BYU recruiting--these guys are the top priority for any remaining spots. I included some notes from 24/7's profiles from each player. Read the article for full details.



WR KODY EPPS - **SIGNED IN DECEMBER** Signing in February, Offers include Nevada, Oregon, San Jose State, UNLV, Utah State, Wyoming.

Came for December official visit, BYU predicted 100% by 24/7 as of now, but there is worry someone else makes a last minute blitz for him if he delays signing until February.



LB TATE ROMNEY - Signing in February, Offers include Arizona, Cal, Colorado, Kansas State, Memphis, Utah, Vanderbilt, Washington State, and Yale.

Currently BYU is predicted 100% by 24/7, but he is mission first so his brothers will be gone by the time he returns. A late blitz by another suitor is a worry.



OL JAKE GRIFFIN - Signing in February, Offers include Utah State, Arizona, Washington State, Indiana, Northern Arizona, Northern Colorado, Oregon State, San Diego State, South Dakota State, Tulane, Weber State. P5 offers coming in lately. BYU predicted 100% by 24/7 today, but his dad played at Utah State and could be swayed, Arizona making a late push. Coming to BYU on official visit in January. Priority increased with Gentry committing to Virginia.



DB MICAH HARPER - **SIGNED IN DECEMBER** Signing in December, Offers include Air Force, Army, Nevada, San Diego State, Syracuse, Abilene Christian, Colgate, Dartmouth, Fordham, Lehigh, Montana State, Navy, New Mexico, New Mexico State, Northern Arizona, Pennsylvania, Princeton, South Dakota State, Tulane, UTEP, Wyoming, Yale.

24/7 predictor says BYU 100%, but he is also seriously considering Air Force, Army, Nevada, SDSU, and Syracuse. Drawn comparisions to Dayan Ghanwoloku. Came to BYU for official visit in December.



DL TUIPULOTU LAI - **SIGNED IN DECEMBER** Offers include Northern Colorado. Unheralded/under the radar recruit from Hawaii who is compared to Lorenzo Fauatea. Official visit in December, 24/7 predicts 100% BYU.



DL KEANU TANUVASA - Signing in February, Offers include Oregon State, Boise State, UCLA, Utah, Arizona, Colorado State, Hawaii, Nevada, Pennsylvania, San Jose State, Utah State, Yale. Father played at Utah. His top 5 are UCLA, Boise State, Oregon State, Utah, and BYU. Still to take official visits. No predictions on 24/7, but Utah has the edge. BYU trying to convince him he fits BYU's defensive scheme better than Utah's.



ATH SCOTTY EDWARDS - Signing in February, Offers include Army, Stanford, Utah State. He has taken several unofficial visits to BYU and will officially visit in January. Stanford has the edge and UCLA is showing interest but no offer so far. 24/7 predictor says 67% Stanford, 33% undecided so there is work to be done here.



DB JAQUES WILSON - **SIGNED IN DECEMBER** Signing in December, JC transfer. Offers include Utah State, Hawaii. Described as "can flat play. He's fast and he's incredibly physical at the line of scrimmage." Could not only make an impact on the roster immediately, but could be competing for starter minutes.



DB JALEN PERDUE - JC transfer, but may not be making a decision until the Spring.

Coaches like his speed and swagger. He has track speed and he has the physicality to play ball, but it's his swagger that will make sure he hits his ceiling at the next level, wherever that ceiling may be. Perdue's game fits what BYU needs.



TE ALEX LINES - Offers include Utah, Boise State, Colorado, Iowa State, Louisville, Memphis, Northern Arizona, Oregon State, Syracuse, Utah State. He favors Utah, but they may not have room for him. BYU has interest, but may need to wait and see if they have a scholarship available for him. BYU already has 4-5 guys in the mix to potentially replace Bushman (should he leave early) and this is another option. He is described as a very physical tight end, has good hands and understands how to get open, but it's his blocking that really sets him apart. His official visit was in December and it may come down to who has a scholarship available to seal the deal.