BYU has never really been a recruiting powerhouse. This needs to be established out of the gates. As a fan base, I think it's important to understand what results have looked like historically and properly set our expectations.

In the modern internet recruiting services era (Scout/247, ESPN, Rivals, On3) essentially since ~2000, BYU has had a total of 2 classes to rank better than 40th overall.

One of those classes was in 2010 following a string of successful seasons by Bronco Mendenhall between 2006-2011. In the midst of this, he pulled in the 33rd best class following the 2009 season. This class included an Iggy's press conference with the likes of Jake Heaps, Ross Apo and Zac Stout. Also included Bronson Kaufusi (not at the Iggys presser). This was the pinnacle of BYU recruiting, and it has has never had a class in this modern era better than this one.

The other top class was following the one (and only) great year from Gary Crowton in 2001 when they landed 5* Ben Olson, the top rated QB in that class, the brute 4* DT Scott Young, the mythical 4* Walt Williams (still waiting for him to show up), 4* Jake Kuresa which carried them to a 37th overall ranking that cycle.

In hindsight, neither of these classes ever really panned out (Ben Olson transferred, Heaps transferred and many of the guys never really made much of an impact, which is basically the reason for my post in showing how BYU has to be one of the best programs out there for player development.

To get the discussion started, here's an overview of recruiting results over the years where I've included BYU season record and how it correlates with the recruiting class immediately following that season:


Year — W/L - Recruiting Class Rank

*LaVell Edwards Final Season*

2000 - 6-6 - 2001 class No Data populated (Class of Aaron Francisco, Reno Mahe, John Denney) I can't see that class being worse than 60s rank.

*Gary Crowton era begins*

2001 - 12-2 record - 2002 class ranked 37th - 2nd best recruiting class post-2000 w/ Ben Olson, Scott Young, Jake Kuresa
2002 - 5-7 - 61st
2003 - 4-8 - 51st
2004 - 5-6 - 60th

*Bronco Mendenhall era begins*

2005 - 6-6 - 65th
2006 - 11-2 - 43rd - 3rd best class since 2000. This is the beginning of best 4 year recruiting period since 2000
2007 - 11-2 - 45th - 4th best class
2008 - 10-3 - 55th - 8th best class
2009 - 11-2 - 33rd - Best Recruiting Class since 2000.
2010 - 7-6 - 61st - BYU

*BYU becomes Independent* (Looking at this, it appears going independent hindered recruiting immediately, even while still having a great record in 2011)

2011 - 10-3 - 71st
2012 - 8-5 - 66th
2013 - 8-5 - 64th
2014 - 8-5 - 71st
2015 - 9-4 - 49th

*Kalani Sitake era begins*

2016 - 9-4 - 63rd
2017 - 4-9 - 78th - Worst 3 yr period of recruiting since 2000 begins
2018 - 7-6 - 75th Overall (81st HS Composite) - Worst High School Composite recruiting class since 2000
2019 - 7-6 - 81st Overall (80th HS Composite) - Worst overall rated recruiting class since 2000
2020 - 11-1 - 67th Overall (74th HS Composite) - Possible bump following BYU stellar 2020 season(?)
2021 - 10-3 - 57th Overall (56th HS Composite) - Two consecutive 10+ win season likely boosting recruiting
2022 - 8-5 - 47th Overall (66th HS Composite - 20th TPortal Rank)

*Big XII era begins*

2023 - 5-7 - 62nd Overall (44th HS Composite)
2024 - 10-2 - 64th overall (61st HS Composite) - I expect the Transfer Portal activity to pickup and the overall rank will improve before this cycle is over.


So what are we seeing here is that BYU truly does maximize all of their talent, regardless of star rating.

(Most) of the coaching staff has tremendous player development capabilities, especially on the defensive side of the ball. I firmly believe Hill, Ena, Gilford, Poppinga and Po'uha make up one of the top defensive coaching groups in the Big XII, and definitely up there in all of college football, based on what they have been able to turn out with the "low level" of talent the recruiting services show.

It's easy for Georgia, Ohio State or Oregon to say "we have great coaching" when they're able to buy the top half of 1% of all the top talent with their NIL $$, but let's take a look at each of BYU's (for the most part) unheralded starters that got them a 10-2 season this year.

Defensive Line:

Starters Tyler Batty & John Nelson were barely even 3* (both 80 had ratings by 247...a 79 rating would have made them 2* recruits).

Blake Mangleson, a no-name in the recruiting game, zero ratings by any of the services, has the potential to become a late round NFL pick or UFA at the least.

Logan Lutui, another starting non-rated DE, played well enough the #1 rated total defense in the Big XII

Isaiah Bagnah, lower 3* rating (83), signed with Boise St before transferring to BYU

Summary, this group was serviceable, Mangleson was the surprise of the group. Batty has a chance at getting drafted, possibly even Mangleson but worst case, many of them will at least get an UDFA contract.


Linebackers:

Jack Kelly, same thing, was a low level 3* (82) that was lost in the covid recruiting year fog. Started at FCS Weber St and he is likely NFL bound (assuming after next season)

Isaiah Glasker, Starting strong side backer has been one of the most amazing project players in recent BYU history, low 3* (82) athlete (played WR and S in HS) now a likely NFL bound LB

Taggart is the ONLY 4* recruit among the defensive starters, and he is awesome. Cant wait to see what he does next year.

Summary: BYU LB group is the heart of the defense, and I honestly see it getting even better next season (hearing that Kelly may not be leaving, and Taggart will be back and I doubt Glasker leaves)


Defensive Backs/Safeties/Nickel:

Before I even break these guys down, I just realized this, but BYU's PASSING EFFICIENCY DEFENSE RANKED 3RD IN THE ENTIRE NATION--- 3RD!!! Behind only ND #1, and Texas #2. When you consider who BYU had starting, this is nothing short of amazing:

Jakob Robinson, Nickel and one of the better ones at his position in recent memory, held just an 80 rating by 247 while starting his career at Utah State. Again, borderline 2* recruit.

Marque Collins was so unknown, he didn't even receive a rating from 247 and ended up at an FCS school for all but 1 year of his career and did awesome this year.

Evan Johnson, other starting CB, slightly higher rating than JRob at 81, but still a low 3* recruit... he does run a 10.4 100M, but his only documented offer was from BYU.

Crew Wakley, Starting Strong Safety was a 2* (76) ATH designated recruit that played QB in HS, started at Utah State and then walked on at BYU, earning the starting role in his 2nd season here. Awesome story.

Tanner Wall, Safety, another non-rated prospect

Talon Alfrey, Safety, low 3* (83) but the highest of all those of the secondary.

Summary: Not a single heralded recruit for a group that was ranked 3rd best in the nation at what they do. There is a TON of up and coming young talent on this secondary squad. Will be fun to see if they can keep up the elite level of play.


Wide Receivers:

Darius Lassiter was a 2* rated (77) JUCO player in the state of Kansas that made his way to Eastern Michigan before ending up at BYU and earning Big XII Honorable Mention this season.

Keelan Marion was also a low 3* (81) initially committed to UConn, not a powerhouse... before ending up at BYU and gaining 1st Team All-American status as a KR

Parker Kingston, played significantly in the slot was also a low 3* (81) that switched positions, yet was one of the heros vs KState, also tied for 4th on the team in receptions.

Chase Roberts was actually a highly rated recruit at near 4* (88)

Summary: The WR room was deep, but as you can see, none of the starters, other than Roberts, was highly recruited. However, BYU has some REALLY talented guys making it into the rotation next season (Hagen, Waller, McKenzie) plus Keelan and possibly Roberts stays.


Offensive Line:

Bruce Mitchell, backup that started multiple games held a 2* rating (79) by 247 and BYU was his only documented offer, played well while filling in as as starter for Connor Pay

Brayden Keim, Starting RT was another entirely unrated player by 247 that played very well before his season ending injury vs Utah.

Austin Leausa, Starting G, rated 76 out of HS (2* recruit) signed on with SUU before transferring to BYU.

Summary: What could have been a disaster following the condition Funk left the OL in, the OL turned in to a solid bunch of guys, even the backups. I think Etienne gets drafted in the latter half of the draft. We also have some much higher rated dudes climbing the ranks that are going to work their way into the rotation next year. Seeing what TJ Woods has done in a single season is amazing...


Tight Ends:

Mata’ava Ta’ase, Starting TE was a 2* recruit (76 composite score) coming out of Mountain View HS in Mesa, AZ... as a WR.

Summary: Interestingly enough, one of the higher recruits (4* Bowers) wasnt able to make his way into the rotation, which shows that star ratings dont always mean that much. I hope Bowers finds himself a great landing spot that fits what he is looking for.


Quarterback:

Jake Retzlaff, Starting QB was a JUCO guy, one G5 offer before BYU offered him... still has room to improve, but managed the offense well.


Guys, this is a ragtag, gritty group of starters that on paper should struggle competing in the MWC, not tying for first place in their second year in a P4 conference. The fact that they were a couple of plays away from making it to the College Football Playoff is pretty freaking remarkable.

This year's class, while not flashy, is stocked fully guys "way more talented” than what we played with all this season. And as BYU continues to raise their overall talent pool, which is slowly happening, with this group of (mostly) elite coaches it's going to be fun to see where they can take things over the next few seasons...