Who’s still available for the BYU Football Class of 2017? (The Ultimate Big Board)

There has been a lot of moving and shaking leading up to National Letter of Intent day tomorrow.  Which of the Cougar targets are now off the board, and who is still being considered?  Between transfers and high school verbal commitments BYU already has 25 players in the Class of 2017, leaving little room for additional recruits.  However, several of the transfers must sit out 2017 per transfer rules and several of the new commits have mission plans freeing up additional scholarships for 2017.  It is likely that BYU will get an additional 4-7 commitments tomorrow from the unusually high number of uncommitted recruits still on the board.  I would also expect an additional 2-3 to join the class as preferred walk-ons.  Below is a list of every uncommitted recruit still available on the BYU big board.

Off-the-board (2)

Actually, we should start with a couple who have recently moved off the board. In the last 24 hours two recruits that BYU was hopeful to land decided to go elsewhere:

• Oliver Martin (WR, West Senior HS, IA). Sitake and Detmer were putting a late push to gain the services of 4-star wide receiver Oliver Martin of Iowa.  However, while BYU was one of the final teams considered, Martin announced yesterday that he will be taking his talents to Michigan.
• Tyler Asemota (WR, Sherman Oaks, CA). While that wasn’t a shock, it’s possible no one saw Tyler Asemota’s decision coming. BYU was considered a front runner for the speedy 3-star receiver from Sherman Oaks, California.  However, rather than committing to BYU, Oregon State, or anyone else.  He flipped sports and commitment to run track for UCLA.

At the top of the board (9)

There are an unusually high number of high-profile recruits still on the board that BYU is hoping will bring their talents to Provo.  The following are 3 and 4-star recruits that list BYU among their final choices for commitment.

Chaz Ah You (S, Timpview HS, UT).  Ah You is a consensus 4-star prospect and one of the top prospects in the west.  He had 56 tackles, three interceptions, and SIX forced fumbles his senior season.  His father Jasen is BYU’s Director of Athletic Relations.  Ah You took an official visit to BYU this past weekend and will choose between BYU, Washington, and UCLA. He will make his announcement tomorrow morning at 9:00 MST.

Jay Tufele (DT, Bingham HS, UT) has BYU as one of his remaining top schools, along with Ohio State, Michigan, Utah, and USC.  He had 57 tackles 10.5 sacks as a senior and is ranked the No. prospect from Utah by 247 Sports. The 5-star (Scout) recruit is rumored to be leaning towards Utah. He will make his announcement tomorrow morning at 10:00 MST.

Alden Tofa (DE, West Jordan HS, UT).  Tofa is rumored to be leaning towards the Cougars after doing an official visit this last weekend.  The Rugby and football star lists his final four as BYU, Oregon, UCLA, and Utah. He will make his announcement tomorrow morning at 9:00 MST.

Jordan Lolohea (DE, East HS, UT). Lolohea is a 3-star recruit had a monster senior season, recording 98 tackles (60 solo), 7.0 tackles for loss, a forced fumble, and a state leading 23.0 sacks. He will be choosing between BYU, Oregon, Utah, and Washington. One advantage BYU has is that his brother AJ committed to BYU last month.

Lorenzo “Zo” Fauatea (DE, Hunter HS, UT). The consensus 3-star defensive end was the Region 2 defensive MVP.  He has narrowed his choices to in-state BYU, Utah, and Utah State.  He will announce his decision at 7:30 a.m. at Hunter High.

Mo Unutoa (OT, Kapaa HS, HI).  The 3-star tackle is choosing between BYU, Oregon, Oregon State, Utah, Virginia, and Washington State.  He was Hawaii’s No. 1 offensive tackle and had a good visit to BYU on January 13th.  However, he chose to go to Utah for his final visit last weekend. He will make his announcement tomorrow morning at 9:15 MST.

Mata Hola (OLB, Alta HS, UT). The 3-star linebacker took an official visit to BYU on January 13th but ended the recruiting season with a visit to Utah State this past weekend.  He will choose between Boise State, BYU, Hawaii, Oklahoma State, and Utah State.

Branden Smith (WR/CB, Paraclete HS, CA). The 3-star receiver took an official visit to Provo on January 20th and was leaning heavily towards BYU until Cal swooped in with a late offer (also has offers to Nevada, Oregon State, San Diego, SDSU, SJSU, UCLA, and Washington State).  He is expected to choose between BYU and Cal. He will make his announcement tomorrow afternoon (between 2:00 and 4:00) on Fox Sports West.
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Victor Bates (WR/CB, Buena Park HS, CA).  Rated 3-stars by Scout and Rivals; has offers to BYU, Colorado State, Hawaii, and Oregon State.

Question marks (10)

The following athletes were offered scholarships by BYU coaches at one point and remain uncommitted.  Their offers may no longer be in effect (which is why I’m calling them question marks).

• Miki Suguturaga (DE, Punahou School, HI). The 3-star defensive end didn’t take one of his four official visits to BYU but Scout still lists BYU as medium interest, along with Hawaii, Utah, and Vanderbilt. Could be a nice surprise commit.
• Darius Wise (ATH, Beaver HS, PA). Was offered back on December 3, 2014 by Bronco Mendenhall. Two-sport athlete (basketball) also has offers to Colorado State, Duquesne, Eastern Michigan, Miami (OH), and Virginia
• Alonzo “LJ” Davis. (WR/CB, Gahr HS, CA). The 2-star receiver has offers to BYU, Hawaii, and San Jose State. Was offered by BYU April 15, 2016.
• Isaac Freytes (WR/ATH, Antioch HS, CA). The 2-star receiver has seen interest from Cal Poly, Montana, SDSU, and UNLV, but BYU is his only offer (offered May 24, 2016).
• Iyen Medlock (WR/QB, Valley HS, NV). The 2-star athlete has BYU as his only FBS offer, although UNLV has shown interest (offered August 27, 2016).
• Caleb Phillips (TE, Santa Fe Christian, CA). The 6-foot-5 2-star tight end has offers from Army, BYU, Fresno State, Harvard, Navy, Nevada, Penn, Wyoming, and Yale. He was offered by BYU on May 17, 2016.
• Sean Vaisimia (FB/DE, Clayton Valley HS, CA). The 2-star JUCO back from Diablo Valley is choosing between BYU, Colorado State, Hawaii, and UCF.  He was offered by BYU on April 27, 2016.
• Aamir Brown (WR, Imhotep Institute, PA). The unrated receiver was one of several Pennsylvania offers last fall.  He also has an offer from Rhode Island and has seen interest from Massachusetts and North Carolina.  The BYU offer came September 19, 2016.
• Cory Cox (S/WR, Oakley HS, CA). From the same town as John Vaka, this 2-star safety has no other offers.  Offered by BYU June 18, 2016.
• Mike Crawford (CB, Imhotep Institute, PA). Teammates with Aamir Brown, Crawford is also unrated and has no other offers but has seen interest from New Hampshire and Temple. Offer from BYU came September 19, 2016.

Offered and uncommitted but little or no interest in BYU (5)

The following are targets that have ruled BYU out of the commitment picture.

• Deommodore Lenoire (WR/CB, Salesian HS, CA). The 4-star recruit has 32 offers but has narrowed it down to Nebraska and Oregon
• Mik’Quan Deane (TE, Memorial HS, OK). The 3-star JUCO transfer trimmed his list down to Western Kentucky, Oregon, and New Mexico.
• Greg Johnson (ATH, Augustus Hawkins HS, CA). The 4-star athlete is choosing between Nebraska, Notre Dame, Oregon, and USC after de-committing from Arizona.
• Nick Ford (OT, San Pedro, CA). The 3-star tackle will be choosing between Cal, Colorado, Utah, and Washington.
• Aliki Vimahi (DE, Kahuku HS, HI). The 3-star recruit will choose between Georgia Tech, Utah, Virginia, and USC.

Transfers (6)

While BYU always seems to secure a handful of transfers, the number was unusually high this year as coaching changes prompted both transfers and de-commits.

• Wayne Kirby (DT, Highland HS, ID). The 3-star tackle had offers out of HS from BYU, Eastern Washington, Idaho, Oregon, Utah, Washington State, and Weber State. He was a BYU commit back in 2014 but de-committed to go to Oregon.  After a season there he has decided to return to his original choice of BYU.  He is currently enrolled and seeking a waiver to be eligible to play in the 2017 season. Committed to BYU January 2, 2017
• Joe Tukuafu (TE/DE, East HS, UT). Post-mission transfer from Utah State (pending).  ESPN rated him 3-stars out of high school, when he had offers from BYU, Oregon State, Utah, and Utah State. Committed to BYU January 1, 2017.
• Ula Tolutau (RB, East HS, UT). Post-mission transfer from Wisconsin. Was a consensus 3-star recruit out of HS with offers to BYU, Hawaii, Oregon State, Utah, Utah State, and Wisconsin. Committed to BYU December 17, 2016
• John Vaka (OT, Skyline HS, CA). The JUCO transfer was originally committed to Oregon but flipped his commitment following coaching changes. The 3-star tackle has offers from Arizona, BYU, Cincy, Colorado, Colorado State, Hawaii, Idaho, Idaho State, New Mexico, Oregon, SDSU, UCF, Utah State, and Washington State.  Committed to BYU December 11, 2016.
• A.J. Lolohea (DE, West HS, UT). Lolohead was recruited by BYU a long time ago but had his scholarship offer rescinded prior to signing with Weber State.  Upon the completion of his LDS mission Sitake decided to reinstate it.  Committed to BYU December 9, 2016.
• Austin Lee (S, Alta HS, UT). Post-mission transfer from Utah was a consensus 3-star recruit out of high school with offers to BYU, Utah, and Utah State. Committed to BYU November 16, 2016.

Verbal Commits (19)

There are already 19 verbal commits from the prep ranks in this class. Click on the name of each commit (ordered by commitment date) to read more details and to watch their highlight reels.  Several of the profiles also have interviews with the future Cougs.

• Mason Fakahua (QB, Cedar City HS, UT). 2-star mission first recruit with offers to SUU, Weber State, and USU. Committed January 29, 2017.
• D’Angelo Gunter (CB, Del Norte HS, CA). A 3-star commit, Gunter runs a 4.53 forty.  He picked BYU over Hawaii, New Mexico, Southern Utah, Vanderbilt, Weber State, and Wyoming. Committed January 24, 2017.
• Langi Tuifua (DE, Bingham HS, UT). The 4-star Oregon de-commit is the highest rated commit for BYU so far. He chose the Cougars at the Polynesian Bowl over offers from Boise State, Colorado, Louisville, Michigan, Oregon, Oregon State, Utah, and Washington State.  Committed January 21, 2017.
• Tyler Batty (DE, Payson HS, UT). The 3-star (Scout, ESPN) end has offers from Air Force, BYU, Dartmouth, Hawaii, Princeton, Utah, and Utah State. Committed December 15, 2016.
• Seleti Fevaleaki Jr. (DT/DE, Centennial HS, CA). The 3-star (Scout) defensive lineman has offers from Boise State, BYU, Hawaii, New Mexico, and UNLV. He plans to serve an LDS mission prior to enrollment. Committed December 9, 2016.
• Paula “Mango” Finau (OG/DT, Juanita HS, WA). The 3-star (Rivals) commit recently played in the inaugural Polynesian Bowl. BYU is his only offer.  Committed December 3, 2016.
• Keenan Ellis (WR/S, Bonita Vista HS, CA). 2-star, BYU only offer. Committed October 17, 2016.
• Tongi Langi (CB/RB, Bingham HS, UT). The 3-star commit had interest from Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.  He finished the 2016 season with 60 tackles, a 60 yard punt return for a TD, and an interception. Committed August 3, 2016.
• Ryan Rehkow (K/P, Central Valley HS, WA). ESPN rated Rehkow 3-stars, and he has seen recruiting interest from Idaho (who offered), Washington, and Washington State. Committed August 2, 2016
• Bentley Hanshaw (TE/DE, Moorpark HS, CA). The consensus 3-star tight end has offers to Air Force, BYU, Cal, Hawaii, Navy, Oregon State, SDSU, SJSU, Utah, Utah State, and Wyoming. He gave my favorite response to any interview question this year when he said that his greatest accomplishment is “probably just being a good example for my younger brother.” Committed June 30, 2016.
• Seth Willis (OT, Newtown HS, CT). The 2-star lineman had an outstanding senior season following his early commitment to BYU. He has offers from Bryant, Bucknell, CCSU, Delaware State, Fordham, Holy Cross, and Stetson.  Committed June 28, 2016.
• Tariq “TJ” Buchanan (WR/CB, Elgin HS, TX). 2-star speedster (4.45 40) had BYU as only offer. Committed June 24, 2016.
• Ben Bywater (OLB/SS, Olympus HS, UT). The 3-star athlete has offers from Air Force, BYU, Cornell, Fresno State, and Utah State.  He was also recruited by Arizona State, Harvard, Navy, Stanford, Utah, Washington, and Washington State. Committed June 21, 2016.
• Ammon Hannemann (S, Lone Peak HS, UT). Was upgrade by Scout from 2 to 3-stars following his senior season. BYU was his only offer. Committed June 14, 2016.
• Donovan Hanna (TE/OLB, American Leadership Academy, AZ). The 2-star tight end was coached by Max Hall at ALA, where they won a state title. He received interest from Colorado, Northern Arizona, and SDSU, but BYU is his only offer. Committed June 4, 2016.
• Preston Lewis (DE/OLB, Lone Peak HS, UT). Lewis was upgraded to 3-stars by Scout following his stellar senior season. BYU was his lone offer, with Utah State showing interest.  Committed May 30, 2016.
• Tanner Baker (TE/DE, Moorpark HS/Allatoona HS, CA/GA). The 2-star end has offers from Ball State, BYU, Navy, Southern Utah, and Tennessee Tech. Committed April 23, 2016.
• Isaac Rex (TE, San Clemente HS, CA). The 3-star commit has seen interest from Oregon State, Utah, and Utah State (BYU only offer), despite his early commitment to BYU. Committed March 20, 2016.
• Jackson McChesney (RB, Lone Peak HS, UT). 3-stars with BYU as only offer (super early commit). Committed August 22, 2015