PROVO — Don’t tell BYU football coach Kalani Sitake that recruiting for the signing class of 2020 ended in December when he signed 13 players to national letters of intent and got commitments from at least a dozen other prospects.
BYU coaches, including Sitake, were as busy as ever this past week trying to solidify their last few signees before Wednesday when the traditional signing period begins across the country.
Their last remaining recruiting targets include Chandler (Arizona) linebacker Tate Romney, Olympus (Salt Lake City) athlete Scotty Edwards, American Fork linebacker/defensive end Bodie Schoonover and Alex Lines, a tight end and linebacker from Higley High School in Gilbert, Arizona. Romney, Edwards and Schoonover have said they intend to go on missions for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints before enrolling at their chosen schools, while Lines has been reported by 247sports.com to be uncertain regarding his mission plans.
Sitake personally made in-home visits to the 6-foot-1, 185-pound Edwards on Wednesday and to the 6-2, 200-pound Romney on Thursday, the Deseret News has learned. The Cougars are in recruiting dogfights with Pac-12 schools for their services, battles BYU must win to avoid dropping into the 80s in the national team recruiting rankings for the second-straight year. It was No. 81 last year.
Romney was recently named the Arizona Linebacker of the Year by Arizona Varsity and is rated as the No. 69 outside linebacker in the country and the No. 25 prospect in the Grand Canyon State. He is the brother of BYU quarterback Baylor Romney and receiver Gunner Romney.
Tate Romney told the Deseret News on Wednesday that he has narrowed his choices to BYU, Oregon, Utah and Arizona State and that he will be “making a decision here pretty soon” and announce it a day or two before signing day.
As low-key as his brothers when it comes to publicizing his thoughts and intentions, Tate Romney said he won’t do a “hat ceremony” and might not even announce his choice on social media, as most prospects do these days.
“It is a really exciting opportunity,” Tate Romney said. “It has been kind of stressful, trying to make the decision and stuff, but I’m almost ready to do it.”
He said Utah and Oregon are appealing because he likes their coaching staffs and the fact they play “great defense.” Arizona State is his hometown team, although he doesn’t consider himself a big fan.
As for BYU, Tate Romney said having his brothers there already “is a big factor,” but won’t be the determining one. Besides, Gunner is a rising junior and won’t be there in 2022, barring an unexpected redshirt, while Baylor is a rising redshirt sophomore.
“It would be cool to play with Baylor there, like Gunner and Baylor got to do this past year,” Tate Romney said.
Edwards, a three-star athlete who played multiple positions on both sides of the ball for the Titans, said he will choose either BYU or Stanford and sign Wednesday before turning in his paperwork for a mission call. He visited Stanford last weekend and BYU this weekend with his parents.
“I am probably going to make a decision on Tuesday,” Edwards said. “I will probably put it out on social media when I decide; Me and a couple buddies are going to sign on Wednesday at school during lunch.”
Edwards, who carries a 3.9 grade-point average and scored 27 on the ACT college admissions exam, said BYU safeties coach Preston Hadley accompanied Sitake on the in-home visit last Wednesday.
“I have always been a BYU fan since I was little,” Edwards said. “My uncle (cornerback Mike Sumko) played there. The BYU fan base is awesome. The education is incredible, and there is a strong football tradition down there.”
Of course, Stanford offers a world-class education, Edwards acknowledged, and also has experience handling missions. Edwards also has offers from Utah State, Air Force and Army.
“Honestly, it will come down to how I feel inside,” he said. “I am going to go with my gut, and what will be the best for me long-term, and what kind of experience I want out of college.”
American Fork’s Schoonover, who committed to BYU two years ago but withdrew that commitment in early December and visited other schools, is reportedly deciding between BYU and UCLA, according to Jeff Hansen of 247sports.com.
In December, BYU announced 13 signings, including quarterback Sol-Jay Maiava, receiver Kody Epps, running back Bruce Garrett and linebacker Josh Wilson, brother of current starting QB Zach Wilson.
The other early signees were receiver Terence Fall, linebacker/running back Nukuluve Helu, receiver Christopher Jackson, defensive end Josh Larsen, linebacker Alex Muti, offensive lineman Isaiah Tupou, cornerback Micah Harper, defensive back Jacques Wilson and defensive lineman Tuipulotu Lai.
The Cougars also announced nine “January mid-year additions” — mostly returning missionaries — last month. About 13 players have announced via social media that they have committed to BYU as well but will be going on missions before enrolling.
BYU’s remaining football recruiting targets
• Bodie Schoonover, Defensive dnd; American Fork, Utah (AF High School)
• Tate Romney, Linebacker; Chandler, Arizona (Chandler High School)
• Scotty Edwards, Athlete; Salt Lake City, Utah (Olympus High School)
• Alex Lines, Tight end/linebacker; Gilbert, Arizona (Higley High School)