Early indications are that the BYU football team will load up on offensive linemen, running backs and defensive backs this recruiting season.
Several players have already made verbal commitments to the Cougars, including some considered blue-chip prospects.BYU's top confirmed recruit so far, according to one recruiting service, is Rob Morris, a 6-foot-2, 225-pounder from Nampa, Idaho.
"He made first-team all-state at both running back and linebacker," said Nampa High coach Terry Hopkins. "He was the only kid to do that."
Morris, who was leaning heavily toward Stanford until he made his BYU trip, runs a 4.5 40 and rushed for more than 1,500 yards last season. Blue Chip Illustrated rates him a second-team All-American.
Another running back headed for Provo is Tony Hicks of Moody, Ala. A 6-2, 190 pounder, Hicks rushed for 1,400 yards and 14 touchdowns as a junior, then averaged 9.3 yards per carry in gaining 1,886 yards and scoring 24 TDs as a senior.
Moody High coach Wes Simpson says Hicks runs a 4.34 40 and was the state 100-meter champ as a sophomore. Schools such as Auburn, Penn State, Alabama and Oklahoma showed interest in Hicks.
The Cougars have also received verbal commitments from three offensive linemen and one defensive lineman. They are:
- Jared Tuione, 6-5, 290, from Los Angeles Harbor College in Wilmington. "He's been our best lineman here for two years," said Harbor athletic director Jim O'Brien.
- William Knight, 6-8, 340, from Antelope Valley Junior College in Lancaster, Calif. "He can run block and pass block," said AVJC assistant coach Frank Blua. "When he gets fired-up, he can level people." Knight was also recruited by Cal, LSU, Memphis State and USC.
- Jim Richards, 6-3, 275, West Jordan. A two-time first-team all-stater, Richards runs a 5.0 40. In high school, he played tight end so he could be the leading blocker in West Jordan's veer offense.
- John Raass, 6-1, 280, noseguard, Ricks College. Originally from Nampa High, Raass was a first-team JC Grid Wire All-American. He was also pursued by Hawaii, Iowa and Oklahoma.
Among the players who haven't finished their visits but are still strongly considering BYU are:
- Drake Parker, 6-4, 295, offensive lineman, Kamehameha High, Hawaii. "He's probably the hottest offensive line recruit coming out of Hawaii this year," said his coach, Blaine Gaison. Parker runs a 5.0 40 and is a Blue Chip Illustrated second-team All-American. He is also being recruited by Cal, Colorado and Oregon State.
- Kalani Fifita, 6-2, 215, Kirkwood High, Kirkwood, Missouri. A running back/linebacker prospect, Fifita is a great athlete who hasn't tapped his potential yet, according to his coach, Dale Collier. He also long jumped, high jumped and threw the discus, and runs a 4.65 40. He will visit Iowa this weekend.
- Alema Atuaia, 6-0, 210, Kahuku High, Hawaii. "I've pretty much narrowed it down to BYU and UH (Hawaii)," said the younger brother of Cougar fullback Mark Atuaia. Recruited as an "athlete," Atuaia said the Cougar coaches have talked to him about playing running back, safety or even linebacker. He played option quarterback as a junior and senior, and also played defensive back. He runs a 4.55 40.
BYU recently announced the signings of five junior-college players who enrolled this month - two offensive linemen, a defensive lineman and two defensive backs.