For most of 2009 the buzz coming out of Provo and most of the recruiting prognosticators (Scout, Rivals, ESPN, etc.) has been that this will be the most talented class ever headed to BYU. Mendenhall reiterated this a few weeks ago. Three of the top recruits from this year's class signed early and are currently enrolled in school. They are: Jake Heaps, Ross Apo and Joshuah Quezada. If you're unfamiliar with them, VTF's left-sidebar has a recruiting section outlining both the football and basketball commits of 2010. (The individual names link the recruits' Scout.com profiles and the stars next to their names links to their ESPN profiles.)
The Cougar's 2010 recruiting class is currently ranked #21 overall by Scout.com but it was ranked in the Top #15 for much of the past six months. Part of the drop can be attributed to the revocation of Kona Schwenke's scholarship subsequent to his visit to South Bend.
But that same ranking is also not considering the arrival of Kyle Van Noy either. Remember that Van Noy was a 4-star recruit from Reno that had his enrollment postponed from August to January due to a DUI. Van Noy is in school now and already impressing. If this class is #21 without Van Noy, it is certainly a Top 20 class with him.
Here's some more information prior to Wednesday's official signing day and a listing of those expected to sign is after the jump...
Rivals -
"People that watch the Mountain West should know this really isn't a surprise, but to those on the national scene, BYU hasn't really been a national recruiting player for the past few years. That changed this year. The Cougars jumped out of the gate early with a lot of great commitments, including probably the most college-ready quarterback in this year's class in Jake Heaps. Heaps should be able to immediately come in and see the field with quarterback Max Hall graduating. It's going to be tough to replace the one of the Mountain West's best quarterbacks ever, but Heaps has all the tools to make it happen. The Cougars also have a nice mix of offensive weapons around Heaps in this class. Receiver Ross Apo and running back Algrenon Brown are perfect fits for the BYU offense. The Cougars also did a nice job on the defensive side of the ball."
"The tides have changed at BYU, and only the players who can truly show their desire to play at BYU will have that opportunity. BYU head coach Bronco Mendenhall has said that from the start, and clearly is willing to follow through. Make that a lesson learned the hard way for the Schwenkes, and a lesson for future Cougar prospects, no matter how many stars are next to their name. This Mendenhall guy isn't kidding around."
Jordan Afo, DL, 6-4, 300, Cottonwood HS, UT; Also recruited by: Oregon State, Utah State, Washington
"Afo is a kid who displays the ability to be a disruptive presence in the trenches. He displays good size and the frame to keep adding bulk. He will flash the ability to fire off the ball low, shoot his hands, derive power from his lower body, and just stand..." - ESPN
Jordan Black, OL 6-7, 235, Alta HS, UT
"Black has great size along with the athletic ability we look for at the offensive tackle position. His frame should allow for additional weight over the next few years. How fast he can add weight may determine his immediate playing potential. Plays in a two point stance and shows good..." - ESPN
Algrenon Brown, RB, 6-1, 205, Skyline HS, UT
May be best suited to play fullback, in more of a power role. Good toughness and tackle breaking ability. - Scout.com
Tayo Fabuluje, OT, 6-5, 255, The Oakridge School, TX; Also recruited by: Arkansas, Kansas State, Nebraska, TCU
"With more weight, can become a big-time offensive tackle, since he's strong in pass protection." - Scout.com
Alani Fua, LB 6-5, 210, Oaks Christian HS, CA; Also recruited by: Arizona St., Ohio St., Oregon St., Washington
Fua is tall and lean, so right now he looks more like an outside linebacker, or even a receiver because he's about 6-4, 195. But we don't think weight will be a problem for him. His brother, Sione, who's a defensive tackle at Stanford, is around 300 pounds now, so Fua has history on his side in adding weight. When he does, he'll be what college coaches will like in a defensive end, long and quick. - Scout.com
Kori Gaines, DB, 5-9, 170, Grayson HS, GA
"Gaines plays much bigger than his physical dimensions. He has excellent quickness and change of direction. Fast in the openfield and closes quickly on the run or the pass. A complete athlete that can play free safety or corner as well as special teams at the next level..." - ESPN
Toloa'i Ho Ching, LB, 6-0, 225, Alta HS, UT; Also recruited by: Colorado, Utah State, Wisconsin, Wyoming
"Ho Ching may not be the type of linebacker that lights it up at a combine, but he has good football speed, instincts and plays the game fast, physical and with a relentless motor. Has good size/thickness and functional strength for an inside linebacker prospect. Shows good short-area power filling..." - ESPN
Jacob Hanneman, DB, 6-1, 190, Lone Peak HS, UT
"...missed all of his junior year due to a knee injury and was subsequently not a known commodity to potential recruiters. Through his play during his senior year, however, he showed that he's worthy of a Division I scholarship and was offered by his favorite school, BYU." - Scout.com
Jordan Johnson, DB, 5-10, 175, Brooks School, MA; Also recruited by: Connecticut, Dartmouth, Tulsa
"Johnson's competition may be a question mark but there is no denying this kid's great athleticism and versatility as college football prospect. He is lean and his ability to adjust to the increased physicality of the next level is our biggest concern but he is long and rangy and should..." - ESPN
Tuni Kanuch, DL, 6-1, 285, Bingham HS, UT; Also recruited by: Notre Dame, Oregon, Utah, Washington State
"Kanuch is a good tough football player; lacks some of the height we like to see for the guard position at the major level of competition but makes up for it with his playing strength, explosion and foot quickness. Looks flexible in his stance..." - ESPN
Bronson Kaufusi, DL, 6-6, 225, Timpview HS, UT; Also recruited by: Stanford
"Physically, Kaufusi kind of already looks like a college defensive end. He is a kid with good size and ideal height and weight. There is nothing overly flashy about this kid, but he is a good end prospect. He has a solid get-off and is good with his hands." - ESPN
Teu Kautai, LB, 6-1, 200, The Oakridge School, TX
"Kautai had always dreamed of playing for BYU growing up, and he'll get that chance now that he's joined with teammate and good friend Ross Apo, who committed publicly to BYU the day before Junior Day." - Scout.com
Collin Keoshian, LB, 6-2, 225, Santa Clarita Christian, CA
"Keoshian is a very versatile football player that can play multiple positions but will probably end up as a linebacker at the next level. He is a stout, tough and aggressive athlete that gets the very most out of his talents. A skillful receiver that has soft hands..." - ESPN
A.J. Moore, RB, 5-10, 190, Murrieta Valley HS, CA; Also recruited by: Boise St., Fresno St., San Diego St., Utah
"Moore has the size and playing speed we like to see for the running back position at the major level of competition. This is a very productive back with the skills necessary to stay on the field as an every down back." - ESPN
Manu Mulitalo, OL, 6-3, 305, Granger HS, UT; Also recruited by: Louisiana State, UNLV, Utah, Washington
"Mulitalo presently plays offensive tackle but lacks the height for the position that we like to see at the major level of competition. A move to guard better suits his physical and athletic abilities. Flashes good explosion and playing strength but must become a more consistent every down player." - ESPN
Joey Owens, LB, 6-2, 215, Pleasant Grove HS, UT
"Owens is a very interesting prospect to evaluate; he has a good combination of size, speed, power and athleticism. The question is where to play him but with those attributes (as well as his good ball skills) -- he could develop almost anywhere and be productive." - ESPN
Drew Phillips, RB, 6-0, 185, Boaz HS, AL; Also recruited by: Alabama, Central Michigan, SMU, Troy, Wyoming
"Phillips is a well-rounded, underrated back with an above average size to speed ratio. Tall and a bit lean and wiry. Will need to add more compacted bulk to continue producing yards after contact at the major college level with his one-cut and go between the tackles style." - ESPN (See video above also...)
Graham Rowley, OL, 6-4, 270, Waialua HS, HI; Also recruited by: Colorado, Hawaii, SMU, Stanford, Washington
"Rowley is a prospect with good size and the frame to keep adding bulk. He looks like a kid that could easily play at or near 300 pounds. He plays both on the offensive and defensive line." - ESPN
Bryan Sampson, TE, 6-4, 210, Pleasant Grove HS, UT; Also recruited by: Colorado, Utah St., Washington St.
"Sampson is a tight end with a tall, lean build. He will need to get into a college weight program and add serious bulk to his frame. He presents a solid receiving target." - ESPN
Zac Stout, LB, 6-2, 220, Oaks Christian HS, CA; Also recruited by: Arizona, Oregon St., Nebraska, Washington
"Stout is a very productive and versatile linebacker prospect who plays the game fast, physical and with great toughness. Lacks ideal height but has desired long arms and range which allows him to cover a lot of ground. Strong, reliable open field tackler. Has good football quickness and better than..." - ESPN
Sae Tautu, LB, 6-3, 215, Lone Peak HS, UT; Also recruited by: Stanford, Wyoming
"Has desirable size for an outside backer, and with some more weight, could even grow into an inside linebacker." - Scout.com
Travis Tuiloma, DL, 6-3, 290, Washburn Rural HS, KS
"Tuiloma sports a 500-pound squat, and 340-pound bench, which goes along well with his 6-foot-3-inch, 285-pound frame. Right now Tuiloma is working hard to improve his strength and speed." - Scout.com
Blair Tushaus, OL, 6-2, 270, Notre Dame Prep, AZ; Also recruited by: Air Force, Arizona State, Nevada, UNLV
"Tushaus is a very solid center. He has good size and his height helps him get under the pads of the defensive lineman. Tough guy that fights like a pit bull to sustain the block; has the type of nastiness coaches like in an offensive lineman." - ESPN