I’m going to look at my options. I’m not saying that (BYU) is ruled out, or that they’re my No. 1 school, but I am saying that I’m going to figure this out. If BYU’s the right place, I’ll know it is the right place. – Garett Bolles
EPHRAIM — Fortunately for BYU, all hope isn’t lost when it comes to Snow College star Garett Bolles.
Although the four-star offensive lineman recently decommitted from BYU, the Cougars may still be in the mix. He is continuing to weigh his choices and may end up in Provo after all.
“I’m going to look at my options,” said Bolles. “I’m not saying that (BYU) is ruled out, or that they’re my No. 1 school, but I am saying that I’m going to figure this out. If BYU’s the right place, I’ll know it is the right place.”
It’s not the ideal situation for BYU football coach Bronco Mendenhall and his staff, but it is a better outlook than from the outside looking in. Bolles spent nearly a year committed to BYU so backing out was a shock to many Cougar faithful.
On the other hand, it isn’t difficult to see why Bolles would like to weigh his options. As the nation’s second-ranked JUCO recruit, he has racked up offers from 17 FBS schools, including Alabama, Auburn, Florida State, Missouri, Oklahoma and Oregon.
“It’s a great honor (to receive so much attention),” Bolles said. “All these great coaches from these great programs; it’s an honor to talk to them and to be in my shoes. These are any kid’s dream schools to go to, and being a kid from Utah, getting so much national recognition is a great honor. I’m very blessed to have the opportunity to go to one of these schools and put my home on the map. “
Undoubtedly, deciding to re-evaluate his situation with BYU was a tough decision for Bolles. He felt that BYU was the perfect place for him, but as the scholarship offers piled up, giving himself a fresh start seemed like the right move.
“I’ve sort of been battling for a couple of months (about my decision),” Bolles stated. “I have nothing against BYU. I think BYU is a great program. I just sat down with my family and my coaches, and prayed and felt like I needed to go through the recruiting process the right way. I needed to make sure that wherever I go is the right fit. … Whatever school I decide to go to, I’m going to give that school 110 percent.”
Bolles specifically noted that BYU’s offensive line coach Garrett Tujague played a big role in his original commitment. If he decides to re-evaluate his decision, it will likely be because of Tujague.
“Coach Tujague is a great coach. I have a lot of respect for him,” he said. “Our relationship is very solid, and he’s been a great influence on my decision and my future. I would love to play for him.
“As I continue to build my relationship with him, if BYU is the place to go, I’ll go there because I feel very comfortable with him. He just makes you feel like a good kid, a good player, and I look up to him in a lot of ways.”
In the end, Bolles won’t go into his final decision lightly. Whatever college uniform he decides to don — Cougar, Seminole, Crimson Tide or Duck — he’ll make sure it’s the perfect fit.
“I’m a Utah boy. I love being around this state, being around my family,” said Bolles. “But I have to do what’s best for me. If BYU’s the best decision for me, I’ll go back to BYU. If it’s not, then it’s not. The recruiting process is a big thing.
“I’m very humbled and very grateful for this opportunity, and I’m very grateful for all the fans, all the love and all the support I get from people here in Utah and from all over the country. I just want to make everyone proud.”
Samuel Benson is a featured columnist for Bleacher Report. Contact him at bensonsamb@gmail.com.