BYU football: Cougars sign prospects on early Signing Day
BYU football had a number of prospects sign National Letters of Intent today, during the first NCAA December Signing Day. Here’s a look at the new Cougars.
This story will be updated throughout the day as more prospects sign with BYU football.
Finally, BYU football gets more good news. After a year of losses, coaching shakeups and decommitments, the Cougars finally get some things to celebrate.
Early Signing Day was today and the Cougars picked up some nice talent.
Here’s a look at the newest members of the BYU football family.
Harris LaChance, Two-Star OL
https://twitter.com/BYUfootball/status/943498097149214720
LaChance originally committed to Utah State, but the Aggies didn’t have a scholarship available for him after he returned from his LDS mission in June 2017. USU said that LaChance couldn’t enroll until January, so he re-opened his recruitment. LaChance was an all-state defensive lineman at Herriman High School (UT) and the Utah Utes were extremely interested in him. He’s a good get for Mike Empey and BYU football, standing at 6-foot-7 and weighing 280 lbs. He will be eligible to play this fall with the Cougars.
Tysen Lewis, Two-Star OL
https://twitter.com/BYUfootball/status/943505032367964161
Lewis is just two-star recruit, but he certainly passes the eye test. He was a first-team all-state player across the board at Weber High School (UT) and checks in at 6-foot-5, 270 lbs. Lewis was offered by Mike Empey at a BYU football summer camp and committed just a few hours later, opting to sign with the Cougars and skip a recruiting visit to the Utes. He may end up being a diamond-in-the-rough type of recruit.
Stacy Conner, Three-Star QB
https://twitter.com/BYUfootball/status/943512552218267648
Conner decommitted from UNLV a couple of weeks ago, then signed with BYU football after visiting Provo. Conner is a big-bodied quarterback (6-foot-5, 190 lbs.) with an absolute cannon for an arm. He isn’t a dual-threat in the same way that Russell Wilson is, instead he’s more like Cam Newton. I would expect Conner to compete for the quarterback job during spring ball. He would be an intriguing option around the goal line as well.
Ben Tuipulotu, Two-Star/NR ATH
https://twitter.com/BYUfootball/status/943521751228657666
Tuipulotu is listed as an athlete, with experience at both safety and wide receiver. He’s got good size (6-foot-4, 200 lbs.) and speed. Rivals has him ranked as a two-star prospect, but ESPN hasn’t ranked him. Watching his film, he appears to have good instincts. He’s also a bit of a legacy kid, with his dad, Peter, playing with BYU football in late 1980’s.
Jacob Smith, Three-Star OL
https://twitter.com/BYUfootball/status/943524755587633152
Smith, from Rosemount High School (MN), is a big-time get for BYU football. At 6-foot-6, 320 lbs., Smith is ranked as the No. 90 offensive tackle in the 2018 class. He had received a lot of interest from the likes of Wisconsin, Iowa State, Oregon, Michigan and Arkansas. Smith started in the 2015 Adidas Freshman All-America Bowl game and has the size to be a true mauler for BYU football. Mike Empey has certainly been putting in work.
Isaac Matua, Two-Star LB
https://twitter.com/BYUfootball/status/943531749719539714
Matua is a mission-first kid, so BYU football fans won’t be seeing him until 2020. But at 6-foot-3, 210 lbs., Matua has a frame that can be built upon. He was a two-way prospect in high school and shows good speed. But we’ll have to wait and see what his impact will be.
Campbell Barrington, Three-Star OL
https://twitter.com/BYUfootball/status/943539096814800896
Barrington is another huge body (6-foot-6, 280 lbs.). He’s got a pretty good first step, but will need to work on consistently staying low. Still, he’s a good athlete, making stretch blocks and pulls look smooth and easy. Barrington is a good get for BYU football up front.
Oliver Nasilai, Three-Star LB
https://twitter.com/BYUfootball/status/943545545758474240
Nasilai is a really good signing for the Cougars. Ranked the 68th inside linebacker of the 2018 signing class, Nasilai is a solid tackler with a nose for the ball. At 6-foot-2, 245 lbs., he already has Division-I size. Nasilai also had an offer on the table from Oklahoma State.
Chinonso Opara, Three-Star DL
https://twitter.com/BYUfootball/status/943557551098089472
Opara is as raw as they come, but his upside is astronomical. A lengthy defensive end, Opara could make a real impact if he improves on his form. Still, he’s explosive off the ball and has powerful arms to engage blockers with. And at 6-foot-6, 275 lbs. he passes the eye test as a defensive end.
Connor Pay, Three-Star OL
https://twitter.com/BYUfootball/status/943564381027258369
Pay is another offensive lineman to get excited about. I’ve been able to cover Pay firsthand a few times this last season with The Daily Herald – and the Cougars are getting a good one. He plays with a nasty edge and demonstrates good footwork. I think he could play in multiple spots along the offensive line, too. But at 6-foot-5, 275 lbs., Pay has great size for a tackle.
Brach Davis, Two-Star CB
https://twitter.com/BYUfootball/status/943577204532891648
Davis, coming out of Olympus High School (UT) is a defensive back that’s the definition of under the radar. After tearing his ACL in 2016, Davis missed most of his junior season. The Cougars extended an offer before his senior football season began, and he accepted. Davis isn’t overly experienced at corner back, but he’s been working at the position since being offered. He’s got great speed and good size (6-foot-1, 170 lbs.).
Brayden Cosper, Three-Star WR
https://twitter.com/BYUfootball/status/943617013389213698
Cosper, out of Bingham High School (UT), is a solid signing for BYU football. At 6-foot-3, 190 lbs., Cosper has good size for a position that the Cougars stand in dire need of. He uses his big frame to box out defenders and has very solid hands.
Talan Alfrey, Three-Star ATH
https://twitter.com/BYUfootball/status/943618810703048704
Alfrey was recruited as a safety, but might end up playing wide receiver if he performs well there. A stellar athlete, Alfrey was one of the top 20 prospects in Washington. His versatility seemingly knows no bounds. Last year he played quarterback, running back, wide receiver, punter, safety and linebacker.