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A key revelation in the media scrum at BYU picture day Wednesday was BYU head coach Bronco Mendenhall making official comment on the status of troubled signee Charles West -- and that he wants West to join the team in January.
Consistent with reports that began here and were expanded by Ben Criddle of ESPN 960, it seems West's legal troubles are or will be resolved shortly, paving the way for his possible entry to the program.
To what extent? It depends on the wording from various members who reported live from the scene:
Bronco said Charles West plans to join the team in January. From his understanding all legal issues have been cleared up.
— Zak Hicken (@zakhicken) August 12, 2015
Bronco on West: "we are hopeful Charles can join us, pending everything getting cleared up, which looks like that has happened."
— Jay Drew (@drewjay) August 12, 2015
Bronco on Charles West: "We would like to consider him for next season."
— Jay Drew (@drewjay) August 12, 2015
Bronco just addressed the media. Said that the plan on RB Charles West is to potentially get him into the program this January. #BYU
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) August 12, 2015
Bronco feels that the process has "cleared up" on West and there is a path to get him in this January. #BYU
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) August 12, 2015
The slightly unsure nature makes sense. Bronco himself might not be sure if West will ultimately join the team in January, but the good news is it seems it will be very much possible for West to do so.
The potential for the BYU run game in 2016 is huge. If Jamaal Williams is able to return, the possible running back corp would be: Williams, a senior still eyeing the BYU all-time career rushing mark; Algernon Brown, a seasoned senior; Squally Canada, a high three-star prospect who will be a sophomore and will have had two offseasons of strength and conditioning; and West, who is probably the most underrated player in BYU's 2015 class.
There may yet be work to do for West to be in BYU's good graces, but both the school and the football program have seemed to stand by him to this point. With his legal troubles hopefully ending, it feels good to once again picture West as a Cougar.