LOS ANGELES — College recruiting of athletes has become a difficult and intense process for top prospects and, for many, the process doesn’t conclude until that National Letter of Intent is faxed in on the first Wednesday of February. Up until that time, recruits are wined and dined, promises are made and, too often, broken with some recruits switching allegiances more than once.
Torry McTyer, son of former BYU great Tim McTyer, aimed to nip the recruiting insanity in the bud by committing early to Cal. Following his commit in mid-October, he shut down the recruiting process, preferring to stay loyal and focus on improving, not only as player, but mostly as a student.
Turns out Cal didn’t stay loyal to him.
Just a couple of weeks before NLI day, the Cal coaching staff informed McTyer that he no longer had a scholarship available to him due to academic concerns.
“It was a complete shock and a big disappointment because Torry did everything he knew how to do to get eligible,” Tim McTyer said. “He studied hard and improved drastically as a student. He’s completely eligible by NCAA standards, but we’re being told it’s still not good enough for Cal and it’s incredibly disappointing because Torry stayed completely loyal to them.”
McTyer raised his cumulative grade point average from a 2.2 to a 3.75 his senior year, giving him just above a 2.7 core GPA. He also raised his SAT score and felt confident that he had lived up to his side of the bargain and was ready for the rigorous academic regimen at Cal.
From the time of his commitment to the Bears, McTyer turned down numerous inquiries from division one programs — including his father's alma mater, BYU.
Many BYU football fans have fond memories of Tim McTyer, who starred at cornerback for the 1996 Cotton Bowl team that finished 14-1. McTyer was known for not only his coverage skills, but as a physical player who could lay the wood with the best of them.
Torry features many of the same qualities as his father, but is blessed with a bigger frame at 6-1 and sub 4.5 forty speed. He starred at receiver, cornerback and on special teams for Cathedral High School and was offered by an athlete by Cal.
BYU came in a bit late to the recruiting process and wasn’t able to offer McTyer before he committed to Cal.
“I would have loved my son to go to BYU, but Cal — we thought and still think it’s a quality program that would be great for Torry on and off the football field, so we remained true to them even when BYU started showing interest,” Tim McTyer said. “I have nothing but great memories of my time at BYU and I would love my son to build a lot of those same memories.”
His son may have that chance now.
BYU coaches have made late overtures to McTyer, which is completely out of the ordinary during this stage of the recruiting process. The Cougars usually have their class wrapped up long before NLI day, but a couple of notable late decommits have left at least two open scholarships.
“I talked to coach (Nick) Howell and he let me know that they’re interested,” Torry McTyer said. “He said they absolutely loved my film, but needed to go over some things before they could offer. I hope they do because BYU is a school I’d really like to go to and play for."
Torry McTyer may not be a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints like the majority of students at BYU, but said, "My dad has nothing but good things to say about his time there (at BYU) and I think it would be great to have the same experiences that he did.”
BYU isn’t the only school who has shown interest in the 11th hour. Schools such as Colorado, Fresno State and Colorado State have inquired along with Wyoming who is flying McTyer out for an official visit this weekend.
“I really have no idea what I’m going to do at this point,” Torry said. “Hopefully I get some new offers and I think Wyoming will probably offer, but I really don’t know much about them or how I’ll fit in there. I don’t know when I’ll sign. It’s all so crazy right now and I really didn’t expect to be in this position.”
Email: bgurney@desnews.com
Twitter: @BrandonCGurney