he could offer (financial & role-wise) that he acknowledged would clearly be a less impactful role — w far less guaranteed playing time — than Richie would get at BYU or elsewhere.

If Richie wanted the UK experience bad enough Pope was letting him know he valued him enough as a player to extend it to him — & to give him a chance to prove his mettle in one of the top programs in the land.

And if not — it was an expense-paid trip to UK to be loved on one last time by his coach & fam — giving him a parting opportunity that could only serve to raise his stock a bit both w BYU fans & w BYU boosters.

I really don't think Pope sees himself at all a loser in this deal. Wouldn't surprise me if he kinda encouraged Richie to return to Provo, even.

Serious.