Top recruiting targets are coming to see BYU take on no. 9 ranked Baylor

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On Saturday, the no. 21 ranked BYU Cougars face off with no. 9 ranked Baylor Bears in one of the marquee games in college football.  It is a highly anticipated game for the players, the fans, and for BYU recruits.

Several high-profile recruiting targets are making their way to Provo for the game. Which recruits will be there?

Class of 2023 and 2024 verbal commits

Many of BYU’s commits for the Class of 2023 will be there, including 4-star tight end Jackson Bowers, standout linebacker Owen Borg, Sierra Canyon WR JoJo Phillips, and Texas receiver Saimone Davis.  They will be joined by local Class of 2024 3-star recruits linebacker Easton Baker and defensive lineman Dallin Johnson (both of whom will probably be 4-stars by the end of this season).

Johnson will be joined by teammate and fellow commit Ryder Burton (Springville’s quarterback) while 3-star linebacker Pierson Watson is bringing his brother Enoch—the starting quarterback for Coconino High School in Arizona.

These commits are excited because they know what a game at Lavell Edwards Stadium is like.

Stansbury linebacker Easton Baker was at the Arizona State game last season where the fans impacted the outcome of the game with their noise.

“LES is always electric.  At the Arizona State game the stadium was rocking.  I think BYU wins this game by a touchdown.  I can’t wait so see those linebackers fly around—go cougs!”

Corner Canyon defensive back Owen Borg has been attending BYU games for a long time.

“It’s always a great time.  The student section is unreal and it’s always loud.  I bet BYU wins in a close one.”

Linebacker commit Pierson Watson will be coming up from Arizona to attend the game with his family.  He will bring along his younger brother Enoch, who was the starting quarterback for Coconino last season as a sophomore.  Pierson hopes to continue playing with his brother in a few years at BYU.

“I grew up going to BYU home games, watching a few of my uncles play. It has always been a fun experience–Enoch is a future BYU recruit.”

As a Utah Valley native, junior defensive lineman Dallin Johnson has also attended several BYU games.

“Yeah, I’ve been before.  The atmosphere is stunning, there’s nothing like it. The way fans congratulate you just for being committed is really cool.  It’ll be a great game where we can make a statement and walk away with a win.”

Springville teammate, quarterback Ryder Burton agrees:

“The atmosphere is electric.  The ROC goes crazy!  It makes you want to throw on the pads and leave it all out there.”

BYU’s newest commit, wide receiver JoJo Phillips has not been to a game in Provo before but is excited to see what the Cougars can do this weekend.

“I really enjoy the BYU air attack and how they put pressure on the opposing team’s defense with the ability to run and pass the ball successfully.”

Top Recruiting Targets

The BYU coaching staff wants to capitalize on playing a top 10 ranked team at home, so they have invited many of their top recruiting targets to the game as well.

Confirmed attendees for this game include 3-star tight ends from the Class of 2024: Ryner Swanson and Javery Mayberry.  They will be joined by a top tight end prospect for the Class of 2025 Blake Bryce.

Ryner Swanson (TE, Class of 2024). Swanson is a 3-star (0.8550) tight end for Laguna Beach (Laguna Beach, California). The 6-foot-4 230-pound tight end had 45 receptions for 586 yards and six touchdowns as a sophomore last season.  He currently has 10 scholarship offers including: Arizona, BYU, Colorado, Duke, Louisville, Oregon, Oregon State, UNLV, Utah, and Vanderbilt.

Swanson is being recruited by coach Clark and coach Roderick to come in and continue the tradition of outstanding tight ends at BYU.  Swanson is familiar with the program as his mother attended BYU and he has several friends that have made their way to the Y.

“They all make it sound amazing. It’s hard to beat the atmosphere you find at BYU between football and the church. Coach Sataki has done such a great job at combining those two things.”

Swanson will be attending the game with his younger brother, who is a freshman DE/TE for Laguna Beach. Their firend Charlie Tyus from Laguna is also coming along.

Javery Mayberry (TE/DL, Class of 2024). Mayberry is a 3-star (80) tight end for the no. 1 ranked school in Arizona—Basha High School.  The 6-foot-5 225-pound athlete has been playing varsity since his freshman season and has an early offer to Marshall. As a freshman he had 10 receptions for 88 yards and two touchdowns on offense, and 35 tackles (25 solo), with 11.5 tackles for loss, six quarterback hurries, a forced fumble, and three sacks on defense.

Mayberry is focused on bringing a state title to Basha, but he is also excited for what the Cougars have been able to accomplish on- and off-the-field.

“I like that BYU has a family-like program with coaches that care about the athletes further then just football.”

Blake Bryce (TE/DE, Class of 2025). Bryce (@BlakeGBryce) is a top recruit for the Class of 2025 out of Adolfo Camarillo High School in California. In his first two games this season the sophomore has five receptions for 27 yards and a touchdown (MaxPreps).

Bryce also has ties to BYU as his father Gary Bryce played tight end for the Cougs (1999-2005) and so Blake grew up as a BYU fan, regularly attending games. He also camped at BYU this summer and has been in contact with coaches Clark, Gilford, and Howard.  Bryce knows what to expect Saturday night:

“I love the football program and the system coach Sitake has going on.  I think the fan base is like no other I have ever seen.  The energy and sense of family is unbeatable.”

Charlie Tyus (DB, Class of 2024). Tyus is a 6-foot-1 175-pound defensive back at Laguna Beach.  He has reported a 4.42 forty, a 10.5 100-meter dash, and a 39.5-inch vertical (HUDL).

Expect an incredible game Saturday between two very good football programs.

About Tyler Christensen 784 Articles
Tyler Christensen is a teacher, sports writer, speaker, and ultra-marathon runner. He is the founder of BYU Insider, D1 Recruiting, Virtual School Assembly, and After the Run. When he's not writing or speaking, he's spending time at home in southern Utah with his amazing wife and four children.
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