BYU Football Recruiting: Top targets and needs before National Signing Day

With the new early signing period having already taken place back in December, the traditional National Signing Day on the first Tuesday in February will lack the same excitement and buzz it usually does.

Even though BYU has already signed a good number of prospects, there are still some big ones out there that BYU will be looking to hold onto and reel in before February 7. Here is a list of some of BYU’s top target and positions of need with National Signing Day just a few weeks away.

Gunner Romney, WR

Romney committed to BYU over the summer, but many schools have stayed on the talented WR to get him to switch his pledge over from BYU.

Although still a BYU commit, Arizona State appears to be the biggest threat to flip over the WR from Chandler, Arizona. Romney took an official visit to Tempe last month, where he had a chance to meet with new head coach Herm Edwards and the Sun Devils’ staff.

Romney will take an official visit to BYU the final weekend before signing day, giving BYU the chance to make the final impression on Romney.

That, coupled with the fact that Romney has been verbally committed to BYU for five months and that his older brother Baylor is enrolled at BYU and is on the football team, should make Cougar fans cautiously optimistic that Gunner will end up in Provo. Romney could very well be the crowning jewel of the 2018 class and an instant impact player if he plays right away rather than serving a LDS mission.

Merlin Roberston, LB

After 4-star LB Brandon Kaho decommitted from BYU and signed with Washington, 4-star LB Merlin Robertson has become even more of a priority for the Cougars.

BYU will be in the mix until signing day, but they may be behind other P5 programs. Robertson took an official visit to Arizona State this past weekend, and the Sun Devils may be the favorite to land Robertson. Illinois has also been coming at Robertson hard the past few months.

BYU’s best hope to land Robertson is to get him in Provo for an official visit and hope Kalani and the staff can work their magic on one of the more talented linebackers out west.

Viliami Tausinga, LB

The hard-hitting linebacker from East High School (Salt Lake City) is another top priority for this staff. BYU officially offered Tausinga back in October, adding to his offer list of Minnesota, Oregon State, Boise State, Fresno State, Utah State, Hawaii, San Diego State and UNLV.

Viliami is the cousin of recently graduated BYU DL, Kesni Tausinga. Kesni had some nice praise for his cousin last week:

Although Robertson may be the higher regarded prospect, BYU will fight hard to keep the 3-star Tausinga close to home.

Dallin Holker, TE

Holker has been committed to BYU for nearly a year now, and there are no indications that he will be signing elsewhere. The Lehi High School (Utah) product decided to wait until February to sign, perhaps wanting to wait to sign with other friends and teammates.

Holker accumulated some ridiculous stats during his time at Lehi. As a junior, he had 105 receptions for 1,295 yards and 11 TD’s. This past season was even better, as he hauled in 97 catches for 1,766 yards and 22 TD’s.

If/when Holker does come to BYU, the Cougars will be getting a nice receiving threat.

Nathan Latu, LB/DL

Latu is a guy who is up in the air at the moment. Nathan committed to BYU with his twin brother, Cameron, back in the summer of 2016, but Cameron signed with Alabama in December after his recruiting really took off.

Nathan, meanwhile, was academically ineligible to play this past season, and many thought BYU had moved on.

However, The Polynesian Bowl, where Nathan will be competing on Saturday, sent out a tweet today calling Latu a “BYU signee.”

Although not as highly recruited as his brother, Nathan would be a talented addition to BYU if he is able to join the team.

Positions to Watch

Wide Receiver

Gunner Romney will be the priority, but BYU has been reaching out to some JUCO guys in hopes of beefing up a lackluster group. With Tight End Matt Bushman as the most consistent receiving target, don’t be surprised to see BYU sign a JUCO receiver this class.

Quarterback

BYU already signed two QB’s this class in Zach Wilson and Stacy Conner, but look for the staff to actively search the grad transfer market. BYU already has a plethora of QB’s in the room, but no real standout in the group. While BYU may not ultimately sign a grad transfer QB, the staff will explore the possibility to add more competition to the group.