Recruiting Roundup: June 2022

There was a lot of recruiting movement this past month for the BYU football team with nine players committing to join the Cougars (three for 2022 and five in 2023, and one in 2025).  Also, in June there were at least least 14 scholarship offers extended, and several high-profile recruits visiting campus.  Here is an exhaustive (4,000+ word) summary of what has happened.

New Commits

In June there were nine commits to the BYU football program.  There are three joining this year’s class: transfers Mory Bamba (Tyler JC) and Enoch Nawahine (USU), and Chris Jackson returning from the transfer portal. Cole Hagen is also transferring (from Yale), but will grayshirt and join the Class of 2023, along with new commits Miles Hall, Pierson Watson, Landon Chambers, and Leo Pulalasi.  And the Class of 2025 got an early commit in Will Walker.  Below are summaries and HUDL highlights for each of the new commits.

Miles Hall (ATH, Class of 2023)

Hall is a 6-foot-2 195-pound wide receiver/outside linebacker/strong safety that preps at Skyline high school (Salt Lake City, UT).  As a junior he had 36 receptions for 426 yards and three touchdowns, with 30 tackles (13 solo) with 3.5 tackles for loss, a blocked field goal and two forced fumbles.  He also had two forced fumbles as a sophomore.  He recorded in a 11.05 100-meter in his first track meet and runs a reported 4.5 forty time.  Learn more.

Christopher Jackson (WR, BYU, returned from transfer portal)

After two years at BYU Jackson entered the transfer portal on January 5th for “personal reasons.”  He committed to Hawaii in April but then decided to return to BYU this week.  Jackson has played in 21 games and has 10 receptions for 61 yards ans 12 rushes for 55 yards.

Cole Hagen (QB, Class of 2023)

3-star Hagen was the Utah Gatorade Player of the Year in 2019 and signed with Yale.  Recently returned from his LDS mission to Washington, D.C. he has flipped his commitment and joined BYU as a preferred walk-on.  He will grayshirt and join the team officially in January 2023.  Learn more.

Pierson Watson (LB, Class of 2023)

Watson is a 6-foot-3 210-pound linebacker that preps at Coconino high school (Flagstaff, AZ).  He was rated the no. 1 linebacker in Arizona for his classification and as a junior he had three receptions for 46 yards and a touchdown, 45 tackles (34 solo) with seven tackles for loss, one fumble recovery, and two sacks (MaxPreps). Watson is not yet rated by 247Sports, but holds scholarship offers from Air Force, Nevada, Northern Arizona, and South Dakota, with interest from Arizona.

Landen Chambers (RB, Class of 2023)

Chambers is a 6-foot-0 210-pound running back from Fossil Ridge high school (Keller, TX).  He was the 6A Offensive MVP and an All-State honoree in 2021 as he set his school records for rushing yards (1757) and rushing touchdowns (25).  He trains with BYU alumn Margin Hooks. Learn more.

Mory Bamba (DB, Class of 2022)

Bamba is a JUCO transfer from Tyler Junior College in Tyler, Texas.  Originally a DIII hurdler and triple jumper in Wisconsin, Bamba has had quite the journey from Wisconsin to Florida to Texas to Utah.  His 4.34 forty-yard time got BYU’s attention and he committed as part of the Class of 2022.  Learn more.

Leo Pulalasi (ATH, Class of 2023)

Pulalasi is a 6-foot-1 205-pound athlete that preps at Lakes High School (Lakewood, Washington), where he has played linebacker, running back, and even a little QB for Lakes.  As a junior he went 6-for-25 for 216 yards and two touchdowns (to three interceptions), had 112 carries for 931 yards and 13 scores, and recorded 21 receptions for 380 yards and five more touchdowns (MaxPreps). On defense he had 28 tackles (23 solo) with an interception.  Pulalasi earned 3A Pierce County League offensive Player of the Year. Pulalasi is rated 3-stars by 247Sports (86), who rate him the no. 17 overall prospect from Washington state for the Class of 2023. He holds scholarship offers from Army, BYU, Colorado State, Montana, Montana State, Nevada, Portland State, and Weber State.

Enoch Nawahine (RB, Class of 2022)

Nawahine is a 5-foot-11 195 pound running back that appeared in 10 games as a freshman at Utah State in 2019, rushing 16 times for 53 yards, with two receptions for seven yards, and two special teams tackles.  His longest rush was a 19-yard run against BYU. Nawahine prepped his senior year at Kahukuk High School (Kahuku, Hawaii), where he had 153 carries for 985 yards (6.4 ypc) and 11 touchdowns.  He and quarterback Sol-Jay Peters-Maiava (BYU, Class of 2020) helped lead Kahuku to the OIA Championship.

Will Walker (K/P, Class of 2025)

Walker is a 6-foot-1 kicker/punter that preps at Riverton High School (Riverton, Utah).  He played as a freshman and had nine kickoffs for 483 yards (53.7 avg) and five touchbacks, went 3-for-4 on PATs and 3-for-3 on field goals, with a long of 44 yards (MaxPreps).  He is currently rated no. 2 nationally in both kicking and punting by Chris Sailer Kicking. Walker received his first scholarship offer from BYU after attending their specialist camp where he demonstrated a 60-yard punt with 4.6 seconds of hangtime, and a 50-yard field goal.  He is the first commitment for the BYU Class of 2025.

New Scholarship Offers

In June BYU extended scholarship offers to at least 14 players: two from the Class of 2026, four from the Class of 2025, one from the Class of 2024, and seven from the Class of 2023.  Below are summaries and highlights for each of the athletes offered.

Parker Meese (LB/RB, Class of 2025)

Meese is a 6-foot-2 215-pound linebacker and running back that preps at Parish Episcopal School (Frisco, TX). He was a FBU Freshman All-American and already has offers to Arizona, Arkansas, Boston College, BYU, Louisville, Oregon, and Northern Iowa.

Adren Parker (WR/DB, Class of 2023)

Parker is a 6-foot-1 165-pound defensive back from Helix High School (San Diego, CA).  As a junior he had six receptions for 75 yards and two touchdowns, five kickoff returns for 85 yards, four punt returns for 61 yards, two interceptions and a forced fumble (MaxPreps).  He runs a 10.8 100-meter.

Ty “Buck” Benefield (DB/WR, Class of 2023)

Benefield is a 6-foot-2 185-pound defensive back and wide receiver from Oaks Christian High School (Rancho Santa Margarita, CA). As a junior he caught 15 passes for 186 yards and two touchdowns and had two tackles on defense (MaxPreps).  He is not rated by 247sports but has offers from BYU, Colorado State, Stetson, and Washington.

LaMason Waller III (ATH, Class of 2025)

Waller is a Washington commit but his recruiting is just starting to heat up.  Rated the no. 1 athlete in the Class of 2025, he was a Freshman All-American as he DIDSTUFF.  He visited BYU this week for an unofficial visit after receiving an offer on June 17.  Waller has 24 total offers including Georgia, Florida State, Oklahoma, Ole Miss, Oregon, Texas A&M, Utah, and Washington.

Kevin Doe (DB/WR, Class of 2023)

Doe is a 6-foot-5 190-pound athlete that preps at East high school (Salt Lake City, UT).  This was his first year of playing football after focusing previously on basketball and track. Doe was the 2022 100-meter and 200-meter state champ in the 5A classification with times of 10.91 and 21.74.  BYU is his first scholarship offer after performing well at camp.

Matthew Fredrick (TE/DE, Class of 2023)

Frederick is a 6-foot-5 230-pound tight end and defensive end that preps at East high school (Salt Lake City, UT).  As a junior he had two carries for 86 yards, 10 receptions for 150 yards and a touchdown, and 21 tackles (MaxPreps).  Fredrick has offers from Army, Nevada, Navy, New Mexico State, and Idaho.

Saimone “Mo” Davis (ATH, Class of 2023)

Davis is a 6-foot-5 225-pound tight end/athlete from Nolan Catholic High School (Euless, TX) that camped at BYU in early June.  The 3-star tight end has 14 receptions for 74 yards and two touchdowns as a junior.  He has scholarship offers from 15 schools including Indiana, Kansas State, Utah State, and Virginia.

Salesi Moa (ATH, Class of 2026)

Moa is the younger brother of BYU Class of 2022 commit Aisea Moa.  He just finished 8th grade, but already has offers to BYU, Southern Utah, and Utah.

Jaxon Toala (WR/S, Class of 2026)

Toala is a 6-foot-2 170-pound wide receiver from Salt Lake City, Utah.  He is being trained by former BYU wide receiver Ross Apo.

Trevor Goosby (OL, Class of 2023)

Goosby is a 6-foot-7 280-pound offensive lineman that preps at Melissa High School (Melissa, TX). The 3-star lineman has 13 offers including BYU, TCU, Texas, and Texas A&M. He committed to Texas on June 26.

Cyrus Polu (ATH, Class of 2025)

Polu is a 6-foot-2 205-pound receiver, linebacker, and defensive end that preps at Desert Hills High School (St. George, UT). As a freshman he had 25 tackles (13 solo) with three tackles for loss, a forced fumble, and 11 kickoff returns for 207 yards.  He also handled kicking and punting duties for Deseret Hills (MaxPreps).  Polu was one of the linebacker MVPs at a BYU camp in early June and earned his first D1 offer from the  Cougs on June 7th.

Luke Hanchett (FB, Class of 2023)

Hanchett is a 6-foot-2 230-pound fullback that preps at Rocky Mountain High School (Meridian, ID). He also plays basketball for Rocky Mountain.

Paki Finau (OL, Class of 2024)

Finau is a 6-foot-5 270-pound offensive tackle and defensive tackle that preps at Oak Hills High School (Victorville, CA).  The 3-star tackle has offers from Arizona State, BYU, Fresno State, New Mexico State, Oregon, UNLV, Washington, and Washington State.

Alvin Henderson (ATH, Class of 2025)

Henderson is a 5-foot-10 190-pound running back and defensive back that preps at Elba High School (Elba, AL).  The Under Armor All-American has not yet been rated but already has 33 offers including Alabama, Auburn, Baylor, Georgia, Notre Dame, and Texas.

May Offers

BYU extended offers to at least 24 athletes in May.

  • Kendrick Raphael (RB, Class of 2023), offered May 31. The 4-star running back from Naples High School (Naples, FL) is rated no. 346 nationally and has offers to 21 schools including BYU, Iowa, Iowa State, Purdue, and West Virginia. He gave a verbal commitment to Iowa on June 13th.
  • Jeremiah Newcombe (DB/WR, Class of 2024), offered May 31. The 4-star cornerback from Casteel High School (Queen Creek, AZ) is rated no. 153 nationally and has offers to nine schools including Arizona, ASU, Michigan State, Nebraska, and USC.
  • Roger Alderman (OG/DE, Class of 2023), offered May 24. The 3-star offensive tackle is rated no. 653 nationally and has offers to 13 schools including Cal, Oregon State, Washington, and Utah.
  • Kahlee Tafai (OL/DL, Class of 2023), offered May 24. The 3-star offensive tackle from Leuzinger High School (Lawndale, CA) has offers to 10 schools including Arizona, Oregon State, Oregon, Utah, and Washington.
  • Brandon Ramirez (ATH, Class of 2023), offered May 24. The 3-star safety from San Joaquin Memorial (Fresno, CA) has eight offers including Colorado, Fresno State, and Yale.
  • Isaac Washington (DL, Class of 2023), offered May 19. The 280-pound JUCO lineman is at Butler CC (Pilot Mountain CC) and has offers to Arkansas State, UAB, Coastal Carolina, Connecticut, Tennessee State, and a few other smaller colleges.
  • Tre Spivey (WR, Class of 2023), offered May 19. The 3-star wide receiver from Hamilton High School (Chandler, AZ) is rated no. 633 nationally and has 17 offers including Arizona, ASU, Kansas State, Washington, and Wisconsin.
  • Micah Gilbert (WR, Class of 2024), offered May 19. The 4-star wide receiver from Charlotte Christian High School (Charlotte, NC) is rated no. 243 nationally and has 11 offers including Michigan, Penn State, Tennessee, and Virginia Tech.
  • Ashton “Dash” Beierly (QB, Class of 2025), offered May 17. The quarterback from Chaparral High School (Temecula, CA) has not yet been rated but received an offer from Pitt right after his BYU offer.
  • Anthony Evans III (WR, Class of 2023), offered May 15. The 4-star WR from Judson High School (Converse, TX) is rated no. 337 nationally and has 29 offers including Georgia, Michigan State, Oklahoma, and Texas A&M
  • Cameron Johnson (TE, Class of 2022), offered May 15. The JUCO tight end from El Camino College (Long Beach, CA) entered the transfer portal on May 1st and signed with Washington State on May 17th. He prepped at Woodrow Wilson High School.
  • Landen Chambers (RB, Class of 2023), offered May 12. The 6-foot-0 210 running back preps at Fossil Ridge High School (Keller, TX) where he broke school records for rushing yards and rushing touchdowns as a junior.  Chambers committed to BYU on June 27.
  • Blake Lowe (FS/WR, Class of 2024), offered May 12. The 6-foot-3 195-pound safety and wide receiver preps at Chaparral High School (Temecula, CA). BYU is his first offer but he’s also getting recruiting interest from Idaho, Utah, and Utah State.
  • Miles Lockhart (ATH, Class of 2024), offered May 12. The 4-star athlete preps at Basha High School (Chandler, AZ) and is rated no. 73 nationally and has offers to 18 schools including Arizona State, BYU, Ohio State, Oregon, Utah, and Washington.
  • Vincent Holmes (WR/DB, Class of 2023), offered May 12. The 4-star WR/DB preps at San Jacinto High (San Jacinto, CA) and is rated no. 354 nationally and has offers to 10 schools including BYU, UCLA, and USC. He committed to Washington on June 25.
  • Alai Kalaniuvalu (OL, Class of 2025), offered May 10. The 275-pound offensive tackle preps at Timpview High School (Provo, UT) and is not yet rated, but has offers from 10 programs including Arizona State, BYU, Miami, Michigan, Oregon, and Utah.
  • David Washington (WR, Class of 2024), offered May 10. The 4-star wide receiver preps at Arbor View High School (Las Vegas, NV). He is rated no. 61 nationally and has offers to 22 schools including LSU, Michigan, Ole Miss, Oregon, Texas A&M, and Utah.
  • Blake Nichelson (LB, Class of 2023), offered May 10. The 4-star linebacker preps at Manteca High School (Manteca, CA). He is rated no. 176 nationally and has offers to 18 schools including Florida State, Nebraska, Oregon, USC, Utah, and Washington.
  • Derek Meadows (WR, Class of 2025), offered May 9. The 6-foot-5 185-pound wide receiver preps at Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas, NV). He is not yet rated but has offers to BYU and Colorado State.
  • Tavian McNair (ATH, Class of 2025), offered May 6. The 6-foot-2 165-pound receiver preps at Canyon Spring High School (Las Vegas, NV). He is not yet rated but has offers to 11 schools including BYU, Florida State, Michigan State, Oregon, Texas A&M, and Utah.
  • Kahekili Pa’ao’ao (LB, Class of 2024), offered May 6. The 6-foot-2 215-pound linebacker preps at Liberty High School (Henderson, NV). He is not yet rated but has offers to Arizona, BYU, Colorado State, Hawaii, and Washington State.
  • Donavyn Pellot (ATH, Class of 2023), offered May 5. The 3-star athlete preps at Silverado High School (Las Vegas, NV). He has offers to 16 schools including Arizona, BYU, UCLA, Washington, and Washington State.
  • Nyziah Hunter (WR, Class of 2023), offered May 2. The 3-star receiver preps at Salinas High School (Salinas, CA).  He is rated no. 890 nationally and has offers to nine schools including Boise State, BYU, Cal, Oregon State, and Washington.
  • Zach Thompson (ATH, Class of 2025), offered May 1. Thompson preps at Gilbert High School (Gilbert, AZ) where he plays running back and linebacker.

Campus Visits

Tyre Brooks (Mr2Fly) brought five prospects from Florida to do an unofficial visit to BYU the weekend of June 22-26: 3-star WR Daidren Zipperer, 3-star DB Dontay Joyner, 3-star QB and 6A Player of the Year Taron Dickens, DB/WR Sedrick Frazier Jr., and QB Dereon Coleman (Class of 2026).

At the beginning of the month BYU had a huge recruiting weekend, hosting 4-star recruits TE Walker Lyons, OL Ethan Thomason, TE Hunter Clegg, TE Jackson Bowers.

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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