BYU football hasn't always been a recruiting powerhouse -- especially outside of the LDS community, as the university's strict honor code is a major obstacle -- so when the Cougars secured a major talent in the recruiting pool, it was cause for celebration.
Unfortunately, not every big-time recruit can meet the hype, and that was the case with these disappointing names.
Biggest recruiting misses in BYU football history
Jake Heaps - 4-star, Quarterback
Once touted as perhaps the best quarterback recruit in BYU football history, Jake Heaps will forever be known as the man who was manhandled by the Utah defense in BYU's home 54-10 loss to rival Utah, and lost his starting job to Utah State transfer Riley Nelson when the Cougars fell behind against the Aggies at home.
Heaps was a pocket passer in an era where one-dimensional quarterbacks were a dying breed, slaughtered by the rising kin of mobile quarterbacks. Yes, Heaps earned the starting job as a true freshman, but when he lost it as a sophomore, he lost it for good, bouncing around college football after leaving Provo with a whimper.
Chaz Ah You - 4-star, Linebacker
It hurts to admit, but Chaz Ah You's career at BYU left a lot to be desired.
Much of it wasn't his fault, as injuries plagued him during his time in Provo, but when a four-star recruit announces his commitment by landing a helicopter on the 50-yard line at LaVell Edwards Stadium, it's sad to see his career numbers as tragically low as they turned out to be.
Jacob Conover - 3-star, Quarterback
You may not remember this, but Conover was long viewed as the future of BYU football from the QB spot. Instead, he spent his career as the backup for Tanner Mangum, until eventually transferring to Arizona State... where he played backup.
Conover eventually finished his career with Utah State, but it's disappointing to see a player enter Provo with so much promise, only to keep both feet on the sidelines.
Cody Hagen - 4-star, Wide Receiver
Another victim of the injury bug, Hagen retired this offseason after struggling with a plethora of ailments. And though the speedster -- a track star sprinter in high school -- had a handful of excellent highlights during his career at BYU, he always seemed just one year away from a stable role on the team. That year never came.
Dominique McKenzie - 3-star, Wide Receiver
McKenzie's word-of-mouth buzz was much greater than his actual impact at BYU, transferring to San Jose State after his role fizzled out as a freshman.
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