Is Jaron Dabney the next James Dye? Will Brandon Stephens be another Chad Lewis? By the time Issac Kelley and Drew Miller roll out of the Quarterback Factory, will they be new versions of Steve Sarkisian?
These are some of the more intriguing football recruits that BYU is expected to sign on Wednesday, which is national letter of intent day - the first day universities can officially sign recruits.The Cougars, who finished with a 14-1 record last season and a No. 5 ranking in the national polls, appear to be on the verge of producing an impressive recruiting class. They have received verbal commitments from a number of top players, although BYU coach LaVell Edwards noted, "You just hope you keep everyone who said they're coming."
NCAA rules forbid collegiate coaches from commenting on recruits until they have received their letters of intent.
On Monday night, the Cougars knew the fate of all their recruits except two - running back Albert Tuipulotu, the (San Francisco) Bay Area Player of the Year who is considering Washington or BYU (where his uncles, Tom and Peter were running backs); and Brandon Manumaleuna, a fast, 6-foot-3, 270-pound tight end/defensive end from Narbonne High in Los Angeles who is considering BYU and USC.
As of late Monday night, family members said neither player had reached a decision.
On the home front, the Cougars have received commitments from most of the top instate players, including seven of them from BYU's back yard - three players from American Fork High, three from Orem High and one from Mountain View.
They also have received a verbal commitment from perhaps the state's most coveted recruit - Stephens, a 6-foot-6, 238-pound tight end with 4.75 speed who became the first Utahn in 13 years to be named to the Parade All-America team - one of six All-American teams that honored him.
He caught a modest 27 passes for 448 yards and five touchdowns last season because of the limits of the Logan offense, but his athletic ability had coaches from Cal, Stanford, Washington, Arizona State and Michigan, among many others, seeking his signature.
In the out-of-state recruiting scene, BYU has received commitments from Miller, a record-setting quarterback from Washington; Jaron Dabney, an all-state kick returner/running back from Texas, as well as a trio of Texas defensive backs.
"It's been going pretty well really," said Edwards. "It looks like we're having success. I can't comment on specifics. Of course you never really know until it's all over with. But it looks like it's going to be a pretty good one, like the last couple have been. If everything falls into place, this recruiting class we'll be the same level as the last couple we've had."
According to Edwards, BYU's immediate recruiting needs were defensive backs, tight ends and quarterbacks. BYU has received verbal commitments from three prep quarterbacks, as well as several of their favorite receivers. They are:
- Miller, 6-foot, 190 pounds, set 10 Class AAA Washington state records for Tacoma Lakes High and was the 1995 state player of the year. He set all-class state records for career passing yardage (9,003) and career completions (608). During his junior year he averaged a national prep record 374 yards passing per game. He made official recruiting trips to Notre Dame and Stanford.
One of Miller's receivers, Mike Rigell (5-9, 175), also has agreed to sign with BYU. He holds Washington's state record for catches in a game and a season . He graduated in 1995 and appeared headed to Washington at the time, but sat out of school and football last year to pass admission tests.
- Kelley, 6-foot-3, 220 pounds, threw for 1,832 yards and 21 touchdowns for American Fork High last season. He also ran for 446 yards and six touchdowns and on defense collected 35 tackles. He was a two-time all-state selection.
Kelley's two wide receivers are coming to BYU with him - wide receiver Ryan Slater (6-0, 175), who last season caught 39 passes for 902 yards and 10 TDs and collected 62 tackles and six interceptions; and Toby Christensen (6-0, 188), son of former BYU/NFL great Todd. He had 70 catches for 943 yards last season.
- Jason Anderson, 6-foot-2, 185 pounds, was Utah's 5A Most Valuable Player last season, leading Skyline High to the state championship. An option quarterback and defensive back with 4.5 speed, he passed for 950 yards and rushed for 1,150 yards.
Here is a list of other players who have given verbal commitments to BYU:
- Jaron Dabney, 5-9, 170, kick returner/running back, Sealy High, Texas. Three-time all-state selection at three different positions. '96 stats: 1,822 rushing yards, 25 TDs. Returned eight punts for touchdowns in two seasons and six others to inside the 15-yard line.
- Mike Tanner, 6-3, 220, Orem High, linebacker. '96 stats: averaged 13 tackles per game, totaled 10 pass deflections, caused four fumbles, recovered three fumbles. Smashed school record for defensive points. Will serve LDS mission before attending BYU.
- Jared "The Moose" Harper, 6-0, 220, running back, Orem High. '96 stats: 1,200 yards plus, nine yards per carry.
- Jason Kukahiko, 6-0, 180, Orem High, wide receiver. '96 stats: 26 catches, 520 yards, 20 yards per catch. Good speed (runner-up in high hurdles at state track championships).
- David Castleton, 6-1, 180, wide receiver, Mater Dei High (Santa Ana, Calif).
- Scott Jackson, 6-5, 255, offensive line, Estate, Calif.
- Matt Johnson, 6-5, 280, offensive line, Ricks College.
- Howard Gurney, 6-8, 320, offensive line, Snow College.
- Bill Wright, 6-3, 220, linebacker, Beaverton, Ore.
- Matt Payne, 6-4, 190, Weber High, kicker. '96 stats: 8 field goals, two from 55 yards. 23 PATs. Also starts on state's top-ranked, unbeaten basketball team.
- Ifo Pili, 6-3, 280, defensive tackle, Mountain View High. Visited Iowa State, BYU, Utah.
- Dereck Dorsey, 6-0, 175, cornerback, Cedar Hill, Texas.
- J.D. Hartsfield, Glendale JC (Calif). Kicker.
- Damon Ellis, 5-10, 175, cornerback, Lee High, Baytown, Texas. All-district. Outstanding triple jumper and sprinter for school's track team.
- Kevon Morton, 5-8, 165, cornerback, Lee High, Baytown, Texas. Clocked 10.4 for the track team last spring. Visited Rice, Syracuse, Houston, BYU.