With NCAA football letter-of-intent signing date just five days away, BYU has received verbal commitments from several highly regarded prospects.
Cougar coaches had said they would pursue a quarterback this year, with an eye to finding an eventual replacement for John Walsh, and they appear to have found one in Bryan Vye, a 6-foot-2, 180-pounder from Leland High in San Jose."I'd say you could count on it, though I haven't heard for sure yet," said Don Swanson, Leland High's offensive coordinator. "He likes BYU's system."
Vye threw for 2,000 yards and 21 touchdowns last season, with just one interception, completing 64 percent. A second-team all-state player who will start at quarterback for the north in the California all-star game, Vye led his team to a 12-1 record. He was also recruited by Stanford, Washington State and SMU.
Also out of California, the Cougars will sign Soren Halladay, from Hart High in Newhall. At 6-2, 180 pounds, the co-player of the year in the Foothill League could play either wide receiver of defensive back. Last season he had 49 receptions for 1,062 yards and 10 touchdowns, and also made two interceptions.
"Growing up, I always dreamed of playing for BYU," Halladay told the Los Angeles Times.
Most of the Cougars' emphasis this recruiting season has been on defense - no surprise, considering how thin their defensive ranks were this past season. Linebackers and defensive backs have been their top priorities.
From Wheatridge, Colo., BYU has a verbal commitment from Isiah Magalei, a 6-3, 245-pounder who was a tight end and linebacker in high school but will probably play defense as a Cougar. A prep All-American, he had 49 assisted tackles, 21 solos and 13 sacks last season. He was recruited by Miami, Colorado, Nebraska and Washington. He is the younger brother of Shane Magalei, a BYU recruit who is on an LDS mission.
The Fresno Bee reported Wednesday that Brad Martin, a 6-1, 205-pound safety or fullback from Clovis West High, has committed to play for BYU. Martin is the teammate of another player that BYU wants, McKay Christensen, the younger brother of Cougar running back Steve Christensen, who just completed his eligibility. BYU reportedly had the early edge on McKay, a 5-11, 170-pound speedster, but head coach Bill Walsh at Stanford has been making a big push lately and it's considered a tossup at this point.
"Everybody thinks he's going to play baseball anyway," said Bruce Farris of the Bee, noting that McKay could go as high as the first round of the June major-league draft. "But that doesn't mean he can't play football, too."
Locally, BYU's only confirmed commitment so far is Jason Walker, a 6-2, 190-pound, 4.5-speed defensive back from Springville High. "He's the best athlete we've had here since Scott Mitchell," said Springville coach Doug Bills.
The Cougars are also pursuing local stars Jeff Holtry, a linebacker from West High; Seteme Gali, a linebacker from Mountain View High in Orem; and Juan Johnson, a running back from Hunter High. Holtry reportedly has narrowed his decision to BYU, Michigan or Arizona State; Gali is down to BYU or Hawaii; and Johnson is apparently leaning toward Arizona State.
Already enrolled in school is Scott Albrecht, a 6-3, 240-pound outside linebacker from Grand Rapids (Mich.) Community College. Strong at pass coverage, Albrecht made 14 interceptions the past two seasons and was also recruited by Indiana and Louisville. He chose the Cougars because they said he could try out for the baseball team, too.
From Ricks College, BYU has a commitment from Jamie Cook, a 6-1, 190-pound cornerback who prepped in Maryland, where he as an all-state player and made the Maryland all-decade defensive team.
Earlier, it was reported that BYU had signed four other players from Ricks who are already attending classes. They are: John Raass, 6-1, 290-pound noseguard who signed originally last year but had to complete academic requirements; Stan Raass (John's brother), a 6-1, 250 pound linebacker or defensive lineman; Jim Freeland, a 6-5, 250-pound defensive end; and Ed Lamb, a 6-5, 230-pound linebacker. John Raass was a first-team JC All-American; Stan Raass was a second-teamer. Freeland and Lamb played on the same high school team, Amador Valley, in Pleasanton, Calif.