clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Top 5 targets of BYU's 2016 football recruiting class

BYU will be working on these 5 players, the highest-rated targets by recruiting ratings, as 2016 signing day approaches.

USC decommit Keanu Saleapaga is one of BYU's top targets as signing day nears.
USC decommit Keanu Saleapaga is one of BYU's top targets as signing day nears.
Student Sports

Some are committed elsewhere while others have yet to pledge. Here are the highlights for the top six targets of BYU's 2015 signing class, according to their 247Sports composite rating, which combines recruiting ratings from Scout, Rivals, ESPN and 247Sports.

5. KEANU SALEAPAGA

Position: Defensive End
6-foot-5, 270 pounds
Composite Rating: .8417 (3 stars)
La Mirada, California

Saleapaga is a talented defensive end who recently decommitted from USC and is reportedly deciding between BYU and Colorado on signing day. He's strong and quick enough, and BYU could definitely use some talent to help replace Bronson Kaufusi.

4. COLE FOTHERINGHAM

Position: Tight End
6-foot-5, 225 pounds
Composite Rating: .8447 (3 stars)
San Clemente, California

Fotheringham is a current Utah commit but has been getting blitzed by Ty Detmer and the new staff since Kalani Sitake's hire with BYU's new refocus on the tight end position. He may very well stick with Utah, but BYU is reportedly now worth listening to. He's a big, athletic pass catcher who can also run block, and to be honest, may be slightly underrated.

3. LEKI FOTU

Position: Defensive end
6-foot-6, 255 pounds
Composite Rating: .8632 (3 stars)
Herriman, Utah

Fotu is a very talented defensive end who committed to Utah in September. He wasn't really on BYU's radar until Sitake's hire. We'll see if Tuiaki and Sitake can swing his pledge.

2. SIMI FEHOKO

Position: Wide receiver
6-foot-4, 195 pounds
Composite Rating: .9285 (4 stars)
Salt Lake City, Utah

Fehoko is an elite receiver talent currently committed to Stanford. He also had offers from Clemson and Michigan. He hauled in a ridiculous 1,445 receiving yards and 16 touchdowns on 56 receptions in 11 games at Brighton High School as a senior.

Fehoko seems solidly committed to the Cardinal, where he pledged back in July, but he spent this weekend in Provo and who could have foreseen Ty Detmer involved at BYU? Salt Lake Tribune's Trevor Phibbs reported over the weekend that Fehoko was "100% Stanford" but later tweeted the full context of what Fehoko said, which said he is "absolutely" still listening to BYU. I wouldn't expect Fehoko to flip, but BYU is giving him every effort.

1. MIQUE JUAREZ

Position: Linebacker
6-foot-3, 210 pounds
Composite Rating: .9919 (5 stars)
Torrance, California

Juarez is the #1 linebacker prospect in the country and #11 overall nationally and has not verbally committed to any school. His top offers are from Alabama, Ole Miss, Oklahoma, Michigan, Ohio State and USC. He also played quarterback. He's like Porter Gustin, except way better. He's so good, his Hudl highlight above is a top-10 high school plays and each play has a name.

I won't pretend to tell you if BYU is actually in the mix for Juarez, but I can tell you he spent his final weekend before signing day in Provo on an official visit. I wouldn't hold my breath, but his presence at BYU on the final weekend means he's #1 on this list.