BYU football coaches received the good news over the weekend that record-setting running back Ronney Jenkins wants to be a Cougar. Now LaVell Edwards and Company will hold their collective breath until Feb. 7, the day the highly-recruited rusher can make his college intentions official by signing a letter of intent.
Jenkins, who rushed for 619 yards in a single game, a national record, last season for Huemene High in Ventura, Calif., has been recruited by almost every big-name school in the nation, but BYU has had its eyes on him for longer than most of the others."BYU wanted me from Day 1," Jenkins told the Ventura County Star. "After I set the record, a lot of people talked to me, but BYU was always there. I trust them there."
Jenkins rushed for 2,168 yards and 27 touchdowns last season. He's a 5-11, 170-pound speedster.
Coaches cannot comment about recruits until national signing day after ink has been put on paper. Until that time, Jenkins could also change his mind and sign a letter of intent to a different school, and reports have friends and competing schools asking him to reconsider his choice.
While nothing is official yet, the 1996 BYU recruiting class is looking strong. BYU had previously received a verbal commitment from another highly-recruited running back, Will Snowden, from Boulder, Colo. Snowden, 6-0, 200-pounder, rushed for 1,112 yards and seven touchdowns last season and was recruited by Arizona State, Oklahoma State, Michigan and Colorado State. The top prep player in Utah, quarterback Brett Engemann from Timpview, has also said he intends to play for BYU.
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Rice commits to U.
Olympus High quarterback Lance Rice, a second team all-stater who threw for 2,650 yards and 28 touchdowns, has verbally committed to the University of Utah.
The 6-foot-1, 180-pounder is the grandson of Robert Rice, for whom the U.'s football stadium is named after. He chose the Utes after fielding offers from Tulane and Weber State. National Letter of Intent Day is Feb. 7.