BYU Football Recruiting: Breakdown of 2018 Early Signees

The traditional National Signing Day is tomorrow, but BYU already locked up a good portion of its 2018 class back in the early signing period from December 20-22. BYU signed 14 recruits (1 RM transfer included), and will likely add at least another 6 tomorrow. Here is breakdown of who signed with BYU back in December. Click on the recruits’ name for a more in-depth breakdown.

Quarterback

Zach Wilson 6-3, 195 lbs Draper, UT

The 3-star QB was a Boise State commit before flipping to BYU over Boise State and handful of other P5 schools. Wilson is already enrolled at BYU, and will compete in Spring ball to compete in a wide-open QB competition.

Stacy Conner 6-5, 185 lbs Wylie, TX

Like Wilson, the tall, lanky QB from Texas is already in school and will compete in Spring ball. Conner has a nice arm with good athleticism. If he’s buried on the depth chart at QB, coaches may opt to have him switch positions at some point in his career.

Wide Receiver

Brayden Cosper 6-3, 195 lbs South Jordan, UT

One of the top WR’s in the state of Utah this past season, Cosper will come in right away and compete in 2018.

Tight End

Ben Tuipulotu 6-4, 200 lbs Fort Mill, SC

Tuipulotu has strong BYU family connections, and will serve a LDS mission before enrolling at BYU. His older brother will be back from his mission in time for Fall camp.

Offensive Line

Harris LaChance 6-8, 275 lbs Herriman, UT

A Utah State commit before his mission, LaChance chose BYU over Utah and Utah State upon returning home. LaChance has put on a lot of weight and will compete for a spot on the two deep.

Tysen Lewis 6-5, 270 lbs Ogden, UT

Lewis committed to BYU over the summer, and never backed off his commitment. He’ll serve a LDS mission before enrolling.

Jacob Smith 6-6, 305 lbs Farmington, MN

Smith is a Big Ten style offensive lineman, and chose BYU over the big in-state school, Minnesota. Smith has said that he will not go on a mission, meaning that he’ll get a chance to compete right away. I’m excited to see what Jeff Grimes and OL coach Ryan Pugh can do with Smith.

Campbell Barrington 6-6, 280 lbs Spokane, WA

Campbell committed to BYU early and shut down down his recruiting, likely causing other P5 schools not to offer. He will serve a LDS mission before enrolling.

Connor Pay 6-6, 295 lbs Highland, UT

Pay was an early BYU commit and never wavered during the recruiting process. He will serve a LDS mission before enrolling.

Defensive Line

Chinonso Opara 6-8, 270 lbs Draper, UT

Opara is the project of this class, as he doesn’t have a lot of football experience, but a high ceiling due to his size and athleticism. Utah wanted him too, but he ultimately signed with BYU. Give Opara a couple years, but he could be worth the wait.

Linebacker

Isaac Matua 6-3, 205 lbs Kearns, UT

A QB in high school, Matua will likely switch over to the defensive side of the ball at BYU.

Oliver Nasilai 6-2, 245 lbs Jessieville, AR

“The Punisher” lives up to his nickname. A hard-hitting linebacker, Nasilai could be a force in the middle of BYU’s 4-3 defense for years.

Secondary

Brach Davis 6-1, 170 Salt Lake City, UT

Davis was injured during much of his high school career, but he brings track speed to the defensive backfield.

Talan Alfrey 6-3, 185 lbs Auburn, WA

Whether it was throw, run, catch, kick, or tackle, Alfrey did everything during his high school career. He was an all-state WR his senior year, but the plan is for him to play safety at BYU when he gets home from his mission.