PROVO — At least three junior-college recruits will officially sign with BYU today, the kickoff of the NCAA early signing period for mid-year college players.
Later today BYU will officially release the names of recruits eligible to enroll in January. It is expected a trio of junior-college stars will be in the first "official release" as "situations" are worked out to accommodate at least one or two others.
The three recruits include receiver Michael Morris (6-foot-1, 182) from Itawamba Community College in Fulton, Miss., and College of the Canyons (Valencia, Calif.) quarterback Jason Beck and teammate Nick Longshore, an offensive lineman.
The Cougars are hoping to sign at least four mid-year recruits but are awaiting results of classwork from at least a couple of current seniors.
If those seniors complete graduation requirements this week in which final examinations are taking place on campus, there could be additional signings.
One of those seniors is corner Jernaro Gilford, who registered for enough credits this fall to graduate but must post passing grades this week to receive his diploma.
The mid-year junior-college transfers BYU is recruiting who could be added in coming days include Joe Griffith, a 6-3, 190 receiver at Grossmont Community College in San Diego; Riley Weber, a 6-0, 180 receiver at Glendale Community College in Arizona; Ameen Shaheen, a 6-3 receiver at Snow College; and Justin Luettgerodt, a 6-4, 240 linebacker at Foothill Junior College in California.
The Cougars have received oral commitments from other junior college athletes who may sign in February — along with high school athletes. These include defensive backs Eddie Scipio (Alan Hancock Community College) and Turmarian Moreland, 6-2, 195 pound all-conference safety at Los Angeles City College, who made a campus visit last week.
E-mail: dharmon@desnews.com