It seems that one of the jewels of BYU's 2015 recruiting class won't suit up for the Cougars after all.
Charles West is reported to be headed to the University of Utah. West had committed and signed a letter of intent at BYU, but never enrolled due to off the field issues.
Last night, former Utah football player and current New York Jets Trevor Reilly told 1280 the Zone's Spencer Checketts of Charles West likely move to Utah. Checketts then tweeted:
BREAKING NEWS: According to @reilly0949, Charles West has flipped his commit from BYU to Utah.
— Spencer Checketts (@1280Spence) February 24, 2016
More has been explained about West's move when rivals.com writer for Utah Alex Markham tweeted:
CLARIFICATION: Despite what has been reported, Charles West flipping to the #Utes is a little premature. However, I'm told it's "likely."
— Alex Markham (@AMarkhamRivals) February 24, 2016
Charles West was a member of the BYU recruiting class of 2015. He is a 3-star running back from Coppell, Texas and friend of current BYU LB Scott Huntsman. The 5-foot-9, 182-pound West chose BYU over other offers from Arkansas, Texas Tech, Nevada, Arkansas State, Southern Methodist, and San Diego State.
Fans were excited about West's decision last year to come to Provo due to his 4.45 40 time and more than 1,400 rushing yards he racked up as a senior for the Coppell Cowboys.
11 short days after 2015 National Signing Day, Charles West fell into trouble with the law. He was arrested and charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and marijuana possession. On March 31, West would be indicted by a Grand Jury for those charges. In lieu of the charges, Brigham Young University elected to wait for West's legal troubles to be resolved before inviting him to enroll.
Things only became worse for West when he was shot in the arm by an unknown assailant on July 5.
While it is tough to see a talented player leave BYU for Utah, here is to hoping that Charles West can use this new opportunity to get established on and off the field and out of the courtroom.