To me it’s not just about who just had a great season and all that. It’s about where I feel connected to most and the program, and everything it offers, in general. BYU just offers more of what I want than my other choices, and it’s why I chose them. – Offensive line prospect Kieffer Longson
SAN RAMON, Calif. — For offensive line prospect Kieffer Longson, it all came down to the big picture. The four-star prospect publicly announced his commitment Monday morning and chose BYU over finalists Ohio State, Utah and UCLA.
“To me it’s not just about who just had a great season and all that. It’s about where I feel connected to most and the program, and everything it offers, in general,” Longson said of his decision. “BYU just offers more of what I want than my other choices, and it’s why I chose them.”
His decision wasn’t easy.
Throughout the recruiting process, the 6-foot-7, 295-pound Longson received attention from some of the top programs nationally and claimed offers from such programs as Ohio State, UCLA, Missouri, Florida State and Arizona State, just to name five.
Indeed, Longson fit the definition of a national recruit at the time of his commitment.
“It was a tough decision — tougher than I thought it would be,” he said. “There’s so much to like about all the schools that recruited me. I’m very thankful to all of them.”
Longson was offered by BYU late in his junior, 2013 season — later than some top programs on his list, but the Cougar coaching staff quickly made up ground. His primary recruiter was offensive line coach Garett Tujague, whom he drew an immediate connection with.
“He’s a great guy and really everything I want in a coach,” Longson said. “I love his passion for coaching and how he loves BYU’s program. I also feel he’ll prepare me to hopefully one day play in the NFL.”
A big part of Longson’s decision was due to firmly established connections to BYU’s program and to the state of Utah.
“My family is pretty much the only part of the extended family that doesn’t live in Utah,” he said. “I have uncles, aunts — everybody is out there, so I’ve been visiting the state often for as long as I can remember. I’ve also been watching BYU football for as long as I can remember.”
Longson is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and has definite plans to serve a mission right after he graduates. Upon his return he expects BYU to keep growing as a program and is hopeful to earn a spot.
“I love what the program stands for, and to be part of that is just a tremendous blessing,” he said. “I know when I get back I’ll be joining a great program with great coaches who represent everything I believe in. It’s a perfect fit for me in every way, and I can’t wait to be part of it.”
Email: bgurney@desnews.com
Twitter: @BrandonCGurney