This article was first published in the Cougar Insiders newsletter Tuesday. Sign up to receive the newsletter in your inbox each week.
So, what happened during BYU’s big recruiting weekend?
More than a dozen top recruits and committed players in the class of 2027 made official campus visits to Provo this past weekend. A few commitments followed and there could be more in the days and weeks to come.
Top-ranked Utah recruit Bode Sparrow was part of that group, as was the No. 2 in-state recruit, edge rusher Uhila Wolfgramm. They did not commit to BYU after their visits, but BYU coaches are hopeful.
On Monday, new cornerback coach Lewis Walker posted on X that “Provo is on fire” after he got several commitments.
Those commitments are Kamoni Adams, DeMichael Burks and Ryan Wooten. This prompted Jeff Hansen of 247Sports to post: “Kamoni Adams is the third CB to commit this class, joining Ryan Wooten and Demichael Burks. Strong argument to be had that this is BYU’s best CB class ever (on paper, at least).”
Question of the week
With BYU’s big football recruiting weekend finished, will Kalani Sitake’s staff make a jump in recruiting for this cycle with commitments, which is currently ranked last in the Big 12 in mid-June?
Dick Harmon: It remains to be seen how this class of 2027 will write itself out, but this past weekend, Kalani Sitake’s staff got its best shot to show off what the Cougars have in store for prospects.
BYU got commitments from Georgia three-star cornerback Kamoni Adams, five-star (Kohl’s) kicker/punter James Thorley from Burke, Virginia, and DB Jaxon Rex from San Clemente, California, while Bode Sparrow and Uhila Wolfgramm, the top studs on the visit, have yet to declare. Another top target, receiver Blake Wong, made an earlier visit to campus and is a possibility for commitment.
Adams, who had 21 offers, was one of the top three targets on BYU’s board, according to reports.
Adams is a big get for BYU. His other suitors were Texas A&M, Florida State, Tennessee, Ole Miss, Missouri, Auburn, Wisconsin and Arkansas.
According to 247Sports recruiting guru Blair Angulo, Corner Canyon offensive tackle Manase Brown should be a BYU commitment after his visit. He is choosing between ASU and BYU, and Angulo placed a crystal ball to BYU online.
BYU’s recruit ranking before the weekend was in the 80s, last in the Big 12. By this week, it could be in the low 70s to high 60s or better, depending on announcements expected, or at least desired.
A year ago, BYU signed a top-21 class, led by Folsom, California, QB Ryder Lyons. His backup at Folsom, Brody Rudnicki was on his official BYU visit this weekend. Rudnicki is being recruited by Cal, Utah and BYU and will make his announcement Wednesday. Rudnicki is a Latter-day Saint and is friends with Lyons.
If BYU’s 2026 success in “closing” recruits started a trend, there could be some good news in coming days.
Dave McCann: ‘Tis the season for Cougar Nation to check social media a hundred times a day, hoping that each refresh brings good news concerning a particular recruit. It’s kind of a game inside the game, where good news for BYU is also celebrated as bad news for Utah, or vice versa.
Fans are going to fan, and talking smack or gloating, even over a recruit who won’t see the playing field for several years, is still a thing. Considering the Cougars and Utes won’t face each other until Nov. 8, these summer recruiting battles help to keep the fire burning.
On the heels of their highest-rated recruiting class in program history, BYU is busy building for 2027. A number of key targets were on campus last weekend. Some have announced commitments, while others are still processing their options.
Kalani Sitake has proven to be the kind of closer the Chicago Cubs could really use — one who rarely loses, especially when he has a player and their family in his office at the end of a visit. Four-star targets Bode Sparrow (receiver), Uhila Wolframm (defensive end), and three-star Brody Rudnicki (quarterback) have BYU listed among their finalists.
Sitake’s recent success on the field, where the Cougars are 23-4 over the last two seasons, and his recent wave of recruiting wins have momentum on his side. However, he too must wait.
For the reigning Big 12 Coach of the Year, the news, good or bad, will come soon by a phone call. For Cougar Nation, it’s back to scrolling social media. Who knows, an announcement may have just happened while you were reading this newsletter. Better go check!
Cougar tales
- BYU football received several big commitments after a weekend of hosting top recruits on campus.
- Former Cougar Zac Blair finished in the middle of the pack at the U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills in New York.
- An NBA star provided Robert Wright III with suggestions on how to succeed.
From the archives
From X-verse
Extra points
- Nate Pickens finally healthy (Deseret News)
- Big 12 analyst praises AJ at BYU (Deseret News)
- Bear to Tiger TD? It’s coming (Deseret News)
Fanalysts
Comments from Deseret News readers:
Excited to watch Pickens play. I forgot he was injured last year. Seems like four key injuries took away the team Young thought he had, Pickens, Saunders, Keita and Baker.
Love how committed Pickens is to BYU! I love how these players have to fight through rumors and lies about BYU, come to the school and are like...uhm I love it here. — 3grandslams
I know, if is a big word. But if Pickens, Baker, Saunders and Keta are healthy for the whole year; it would have been a different year. Stars are important, but so are role players.
I’m looking forward to watching Pickens this year. I think he’ll be an important backup for Wright and Chandler. — CougfaninTx
Up next
- Aug. 4 | TBA | Football fall practice | Provo