#BYURank: BYU Football Player Rankings in Bronco Mendenhall Era 201-225
By Mitch Harper
Nov 16, 2013; Provo, UT, USA; Brigham Young Cougars tight end Richard Wilson (18) catches the ball in the end zone and scores a touchdown against the Idaho State Bengals at Lavell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Chris Nicoll-USA TODAY Sports
Bronco Mendenhall is entering his 10th season as head coach at BYU. To celebrate the occasion, Lawless Republic is ranking the Top 225 BYU Football players in the Mendenhall era. This is the first installment ranking players 201-225.
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More information on #BYURank here.
201. Richard Wilson, Tight End (2009-2013)
Wilson came to BYU as a four-star recruit out of Spanish Fork High, holding offers from LSU, Miami, and other nationally recognized programs. In limited reps, Wilson always played well. His best game was against San Jose State in 2011 where he had 66 yards including a touchdown reception.
Had BYU played Wilson earlier in his career during the 2010 season, he might have been much higher on this list.
202. Houston Reynolds, Offensive Line (2009-2012)
The name alone probably lands Houston on the list. A promising career was derailed by numerous injuries. Played in 10 games as a sophomore in 2011 and looked to be one of the key cogs in the middle of the line for his final two seasons.
203. Austin Heder, Linebacker/Fullback (2011, 2014-Present)
Heder made contributions at fullback and linebacker in his true freshman season back in 2011. Look for him to be an underrated linebacker in future seasons. Don’t be surprised if he’s making an impact in 2014.
204. Jason Munns, Quarterback (2007, 2010-2013)
Munns’ knowledge of the playbook and his willingness to let the younger guys get a chance in the home finale last year against Idaho State. Munns had the talent to be a starter at the D-1 level. His timing was just not right. 2007 Max Hall became the main signal caller, and then in 2010 was the Jake Heaps/Riley Nelson era. Had he showed up in 2009, his career probably plays out differently.
205. Rick Wolfley, Offense and Defensive Line (2006-2009)
Wolfley was a wrestling champion in the state of Wyoming prior to coming to BYU. Wolfley’s tough, wrestler mentality earned him time early on in his career. Initially started at offensive line and switched to defensive line where he contributed to a line that won two Mountain West titles.
206. Chris Badger, Safety (2013-Present)
It was a heartbreaker when BYU lost homegrown boy, Badger to Notre Dame back in 2010. After a mission, and lack of playing time in South Bend, Badger transferred to BYU last season. This year he’ll be in the two-deep and then his final season he will step right in where Craig Bills will leave at the KAT position.
207. Nate Hutchinson, Defensive Back/Wide Receiver (2005-2007)
Track phenom out of St. George, Hutchinson will always be known as the guy who had a lights out Bronco Mendenhall impression. Played both sides of the ball in his time with the Cougars.
208. Mosese Foketi, Defensive Line (2006-2008)
Foketi, a JUCO transfer, was a quiet worker in the interior of the defensive line. Did a solid job.
209. Brenden Gaskins, Quarterback (2007-2009)
BYU has had talented reserve QBs in the past. Gaskins originally went to Nevada out of high school, Gaskins ended up at BYU after a stint in the JC ranks down in California. Gaskins competed for the starting position that was eventually given to Max Hall. Became a career back-up QB at BYU, and show the ultimate class as a teammate by letting newcomer Riley Nelson take over as the #2 QB behind Hall in the 2009 season.
210. Aaron Gordon, Defensive Back (2000, 2003-2006)
If this list was made up of dudes who performed the best Haka’s, Gordon is probably top 3. Of course it is not. But in 2006, Gordon made a name for himself as a special teams ace, and a reserve defensive back. But those Haka’s man.
211. Jray Galea’I, Safety (2009-2011)
Talented safety from Kahuku High in Hawaii, Galea’I was ultimately derailed by academics. The times he played he was a hard hitter.
212. Kai Nacua, Defensive Back (2013-Present)
Last year was Kai’s first season. Look for him to only get better over the course of his career. Very bright future for this kid. His brother, Isaiah, will join the program in 2016 after he completes a mission.
213. Terenn Houk, Tight End (2011-Present)
This is Houk’s year to become a consistent contributor in the program. He’s given us glimpses. After this past spring, many believe Houk is finally going to be that slot receiver everyone has envisioned him being.
214. Ammon Olsen, Quarterback (2012-2013)
No question he’s a college quarterback. He’s talented. Problem is that Taysom Hill was in front of him, and Olsen wanted to play. Now down in Southern Utah. The few reps he got, he threw a nice ball. Will be interesting to see if he thrives like Brad Sorensen did after transferring to Southern Utah from BYU in 2010. Sorensen of course is now in the NFL with the San Diego Chargers.
215. Alex Kuresa, Quarterback/Wide Receiver (2011-2012)
When this kid signed with BYU out of Mountain Crest High School, I thought BYU had landed a future stud at the quarterback position. Never had I seen such a competitor as a high school kid. Kuresa was a very athletic player, and was key in running offenses during game weeks as the opposing teams QB. Switched to wide receiver and showed some good things from that position. Went on a mission, but came home early. Now is transferring last we heard to possibly play QB again at another school.
216. Iona Pritchard, Fullback/Linebacker (2008, 2011-Present)
Iona hasn’t been Manase Tonga Part II like we all envisioned when he lined up in the backfield for the first time after coming home from a mission. He isn’t getting the ball to run, but he does a very good at blocking in the backfield.
217. JoJo Pili, Running Back (2009)
Nothing better than seeing JoJo Pili get a touchdown run against UNLV in 2009. Was going to factor into BYU’s backfield after he came home from a mission, but instead transferred to Utah.
218. DeQuan Everett, Defensive Back (2010-2012)
Everett saw limited times in his three years at BYU. What was odd was after his career was over he worked out for NFL scouts in the 2013 Pro Day and had some of the best numbers amongst the guys participating from the Y.
219. Stephen Covey, QB/WR/DB (2005, 2008-2010)
Part of the Timpview High crew that signed with BYU in 2005 (Unga, Luke Ashworth, Matt Reynolds). Was very highly recruited out of high school because of his versatility and athleticism. Would have had a better BYU career had it not been for injuries. Injuries sidelined him too much, but he had the talent.
220. Cortny Barton, Wide Receiver/Kick Returner (2007)
This is kind of a mysterious guy for BYU fans. Barton signed in the summer of 2007, leading up to the season of that same year. He was heralded as BYU’s return man. He caught a few passes and returned some kicks, and then was never heard from again. But man he was fast.
221. Lee “Juicebox” Aguirre, Cornerback (2009)
Aguirre saw significant time towards the tail end of the 2009 season. He was a talented JUCO transfer who BYU looked upon to be a starter in 2010, but academics derailed his BYU career.
222. G Pittman, Cornerback (2007-2008)
Having two years of a guy named G at BYU was a special time in Provo.
223. Parker Mangum, Wide Receiver (2007-2009)
Picture Matt Berry as a athletic wide receiver and you get Parker Mangum. Parker is the older brother to missionary, Tanner Mangum.
224. Tomasi Laulile, Defensive Line (2013-Present)
In a year where there are question marks on the defensive line, look for Laulile to be a solid contributor.
225. Cody Raymond, Wide Receiver (2011-2012)
I’m doing this one for Bean since he’s a Beetdigger like Cody. Had this kid been 6’2 he would have been a starting WR at the college level. Was one of the most decorated wide receivers in the history of high school football in the state of Utah.
Players 176-200 in the #BYURank will be featured on the site tomorrow.