Just because the board seems to be on the topic of recruiting misses, I was thinking about all the best LDS players who didn't come to BYU, or transferred away without making significant impact. I didn't want to include recent recruits who haven't really started their careers yet (Mique Juarez, Jay Tufele) because we don't really know how good they'll be at the college level. In making this list, I am ignoring the ideas that BYU isn't for everyone, not everyone is a good fit, not everyone wants BYU, or how these decisions to go elsewhere were impacted by who was already here or committed, etc, and just focusing on the concept of being LDS and not coming to BYU (or making an impact before transferring).
I'm sure some of you have a much more comprehensive list of college LDS football players, so feel free to add the ones I've missed and also your opinion on the rankings. My ranking is a little more biased against those with NFL experience, but I mostly wanted to account for how good they were at the college level.
I certainly don't claim to be an expert on these rankings, and really this is just an exercise to think about how much better BYU would be over the past 17 years if we were able to get all of the best LDS players, and they were willing to attend and follow the honor code.
The list:
Rank
|
Name
|
Position
|
College(s)
|
College Years
|
1
|
Manti Teo
|
linebacker
|
notre dame
|
2009-2012
|
2
|
Haloti Ngata
|
defensive tackle
|
oregon
|
2002-2005
|
3
|
Star Lotulelei
|
defensive tackle
|
transfer to snow college/utah
|
2008,2010-2012
|
4
|
Mike Iupati
|
offensive linemen
|
idaho
|
2006-2009
|
5
|
Hau'oli Kikaha (Jamora)
|
linebacker
|
washington
|
2010-2014
|
6
|
Deuce Lutui
|
offensive linemen
|
mesa cc/snow college/usc
|
2002-2005
|
7
|
Xavier Su'a-Filo
|
offensive linemen
|
ucla
|
2009, 2012-2013
|
8
|
Jordan Cameron
|
tight end
|
transfer to ventura college/usc
|
2006-2010
|
9
|
Stewart Bradley
|
linebacker
|
nebraska
|
2002-2006
|
10
|
Paul Kruger
|
defensive end
|
utah
|
2004, 2007-2008
|
11
|
Tony Bergstrom
|
offensive linemen
|
utah
|
2008-2011
|
12
|
Spencer Larsen
|
linebacker / fullback
|
arizona
|
2002,2005-2007
|
13
|
Sione Pouha
|
defensive tackle
|
utah
|
2001-2004
|
14
|
Tony Moeaki
|
tight end
|
iowa
|
2005-2009
|
15
|
Chris Kemoeatu
|
offensive linemen
|
utah
|
2001-2004
|
16
|
Samson Satele
|
offensive linemen
|
hawaii
|
2002-2006
|
17
|
Matt Asiata
|
running back
|
utah
|
2007-2010
|
18
|
Koa Misi
|
defensive end / linebacker
|
santa rosa jc/ utah
|
2006-2009
|
19
|
Paul Soliai
|
defensive tackle
|
coffetville cc / utah
|
2002-2006
|
20
|
Jonathan Fanene
|
defensive end
|
transfer to college of the canyons / utah
|
2002-2004
|
21
|
Damien Mama
|
offensive linemen
|
usc
|
2014-2017
|
22
|
CJ Ah You
|
defensive end
|
transfer to snow college/oklahoma
|
2001-2006
|
23
|
Sealver Siliga
|
defensive tackle
|
utah
|
2007-2010
|
24
|
Trevor Reilly
|
linebacker / defensive end
|
utah
|
2009-2013
|
25
|
Kirk Chambers
|
offensive linemen
|
stanford
|
2000-2003
|
26
|
Sione Fua
|
defensive tackle
|
stanford
|
2006 - 2010
|
27
|
Stanley Havili
|
fullback
|
usc
|
2006 - 2010
|
28
|
Fili Moala
|
defensive end
|
usc
|
2004-2008
|
29
|
Andy Philips
|
kicker
|
utah
|
2013-2016
|
30
|
Vince Biegel
|
linebacker
|
wisconsin
|
2013-2016
|
31
|
Kyler Fackrell
|
linebacker
|
utah state
|
2011-2015
|
32
|
Jordan Devey
|
offensive linemen
|
snow college / memphis
|
2009-2012
|
33
|
Austin Rehkow
|
punter / kicker
|
idaho
|
2013-2016
|
34
|
Brad Sorensen
|
quarterback
|
transfer to suu
|
2009-2012
|
35
|
Palauni Ma Sun
|
offensive linemen
|
fresno cc/oregon
|
2003-2006
|
36
|
Marvin Philip
|
offensive linemen
|
california
|
2003-2004
|
37
|
David Hale
|
offensive linemen
|
weber state
|
2004-2007
|
38
|
Morgan Scalley
|
safety
|
utah
|
2001 - 2004
|
39
|
Fenuki Tupou
|
offensive linemen
|
sierra college / oregon
|
2004-2008
|
40
|
Garett Bolles
|
offensive linemen
|
snow college / utah
|
2014-2017
|
41
|
Paul Peterson
|
quarterback
|
snow college / boston college
|
2001-2004
|
42
|
Will Tukuafu
|
defensinve end/ fullback
|
transfer to scottsdale cc/ oregon
|
2005-2009
|
43
|
Mark Asper
|
offensive linemen
|
oregon
|
2007-2011
|
44
|
Joe Kruger
|
defensive end
|
utah
|
2010-2012
|
45
|
Shawn Murphy
|
offensive linemen
|
ricks / dixie state / utah state
|
2002, 2005-2007
|
46
|
Brandon Bair
|
defensive end
|
oregon
|
2006-2010
|
47
|
Dave Kruger
|
defensive tackle
|
utah
|
2008-2012
|
48
|
Ricky Heimuli
|
defensive tackle
|
oregon
|
2010-2013
|
49
|
Viane Talamaivao
|
offensive linemen
|
usc
|
2014-2017
|
50
|
Hamani Stevens
|
offensive linemen
|
oregon
|
2008,2011-2014
|
51
|
Steve Fifita
|
defensive tackle
|
utah
|
2001-2005
|
52
|
Tevita Finau
|
defensive end
|
phoenix college / utah
|
2008-2011
|
53
|
Jake Murphy
|
tight end
|
transfer to utah
|
2011-2013
|
54
|
Chase Hansen
|
quarterback / safety
|
utah
|
2012, 2015-2018
|
55
|
Christian Tupou
|
defensive tackle
|
usc
|
2007-2011
|
56
|
Lowell Lotulelei
|
defensive tackle
|
utah
|
2014-2017
|
57
|
Issac Asiata
|
offensive linemen
|
utah
|
2011, 2013-2016
|
58
|
Taniela Tupou
|
defensive tackle / fullback
|
washington
|
2011-2015
|
59
|
Pita Taumoepenu
|
defensive end
|
utah
|
2013-2016
|
60
|
Filipo Mokofisi
|
defensive tackle
|
utah
|
2013-2017
|
61
|
Steve Tate
|
safety
|
utah state / utah
|
2001,2004-2007
|
62
|
Spencer Toone
|
linebacker
|
ricks / utah
|
2001-2005
|
63
|
Dallas Lloyd
|
safety
|
stanford
|
2012-2016
|
64
|
Brock Stratton
|
linebacker
|
transfer to texas tech
|
2003-2006
|
65
|
Jordan Hill
|
defensive end
|
transfer to asu
|
2002-2006
|
66
|
Nate Longshore
|
quarterback
|
california
|
2005-2008
|
67
|
Jason Fanaika
|
defensive end / linebacker
|
utah state / utah
|
2010-2011,2013-2015
|
68
|
Breiden Fehoko
|
defensive tackle
|
texas tech / lsu
|
2015-2019
|
69
|
Porter Gustin
|
linebacker
|
usc
|
2015-2018
|
70
|
Chandler Cox
|
fullback
|
auburn
|
2015-2018
|
71
|
Luke Kaumatule
|
tight end / defensive end
|
stanford
|
2012-2016
|
72
|
Cody Larsen
|
defensive tackle
|
suu
|
2009-2012
|
73
|
Brandon Fanaika
|
offensive linemen
|
stanford
|
2014-2017
|
74
|
Kona Schwenke
|
defensive tackle/ OG
|
notre dame
|
2010-2013
|
75
|
Zach Catanese
|
safety
|
shasta jc/asu
|
2003-2006
|
76
|
Al Afalava
|
safety
|
oregon state
|
2005-2008
|
77
|
Tevita Stevens
|
offensive linemen
|
utah
|
2008-2012
|
78
|
Pasoni Tasini
|
defensive tackle
|
snow college / utah
|
2012-2013, 2014-2015
|
79
|
Kelly Talavou
|
defensive tackle
|
idaho / utah
|
2002-2006
|
80
|
Quinn Bailey
|
offensive linemen
|
asu
|
2014-2017
|
81
|
James Aiono
|
defensive end
|
snow college / utah
|
2007-2011
|
82
|
Britain Covey
|
quarterback / wide receiver
|
utah
|
2015, 2018-2020
|
83
|
Junior Salt
|
offensive linemen
|
mt sac / utah
|
2010-2014
|
84
|
Tyler Larsen
|
offensive linemen
|
utah state
|
2009-2013
|
85
|
Michael Marquardt
|
defensive end
|
transfer to ASU
|
2001, 2004-2007
|
86
|
Bojay Filimoeatu
|
linebacker
|
Mt san antonio /utah state
|
2009-2012
|
87
|
Hayden Biegel
|
offensive linemen
|
wisconsin
|
2014-2015
|
88
|
Magnum Mauga
|
defensive tackle
|
grossmont jc/ utah state
|
2005-2010
|
89
|
Bristol Olomua
|
tight end
|
transfer to texas tech
|
1999, 2002-2004
|
90
|
Tyler Luatua
|
tight end
|
notre dame
|
2014-2017
|
91
|
Tristan Hoge
|
offensive linemen
|
notre dame
|
2015-2018
|
92
|
Shannon Tevaga
|
offensive linemen
|
ucla
|
2004-2007
|
93
|
Nu'u Tafisi
|
defensive end
|
Mt Sac/ California
|
2003-2006
|
94
|
Will Kofe
|
defensive end
|
Dixie State/ ASU
|
2003-2006
|
95
|
Victor Filipe
|
defensive tackle
|
tranfer to oregon / western oregon
|
2003-2006
|
96
|
Beau Manutai
|
linebacker
|
Dixie State/ ASU
|
2003-2006
|
97
|
Bradlee Anae
|
defensive end
|
utah
|
2016-2019
|
98
|
Matangi Tonga
|
defensive end
|
transfer to UVU / San Mateo / Houston
|
2006-2011
|
99
|
Leki Fotu
|
defensive tackle
|
utah
|
2016-2019
|
100
|
Semisi Uluave
|
offensive linemen
|
california
|
2015-2018
|
101
|
Ben Olson
|
quarterback
|
transfer to ucla
|
2002,2005-2008
|
102
|
Sonny Tevaga
|
offensive linemen
|
ucla
|
2006-2009
|
103
|
Kammy Delp
|
offensive linemen
|
oregon state
|
2014-2018
|
104
|
Gifford Timothy
|
offensive linemen
|
clemson
|
2010-2014
|
105
|
Alatini Malu
|
offensive linemen
|
long beach cc / usc
|
2003-2007
|
106
|
Thor Pili
|
defensive end
|
oregon/snow college / unlv
|
2004-2007
|
107
|
Matt Ah You
|
linebacker
|
transfer to central washington/utah state
|
2003-2004,2008-2010
|
108
|
Isaac Luatua
|
offensive linemen
|
alabama
|
2012-2015
|
109
|
Stestzon Bair
|
defensive tackle
|
oregon
|
2012-2015
|
110
|
Ofa Mohetau
|
offensive linemen
|
transfer to college of sequoias/texas tech
|
2003-2008
|
111
|
Brian Soi
|
defensive tackle
|
hargrave military / utah state
|
2003-2006
|
112
|
Carl Tuitavuki
|
defensive tackle
|
ricks / arizona
|
2000-2003
|
113
|
Iona Pritchard
|
fullback/tight end
|
grad transfer to Oregon State
|
2008, 2011-2014
|
114
|
Baker Pritchard
|
defensive end
|
transfer to oregon state
|
2011,2014-2017
|
115
|
Dallin Leavitt
|
safety
|
transfer to utah state
|
2013-2017
|
116
|
Mique Juarez
|
linebacker
|
ucla
|
2017+
|
117
|
Jay Tufele
|
defensive tackle
|
usc
|
2017+
|
118
|
Zack Katoa
|
running back
|
signed with oregon state
|
2017+
|
119
|
Christian Folau
|
linebacker
|
signed with oregon state
|
2017+
|
120
|
James Empey
|
offensive linemen
|
committed to utah
|
2017+
|
121
|
Gabe Reid
|
defensive end
|
signed with Stanford
|
2017+
|
122
|
Mo Unutoa
|
offensive linemen
|
signed with utah
|
2017+
|
123
|
Keaton Bills
|
defensive end
|
signed with utah
|
2017+
|
124
|
Tangaloa Kaufusi
|
linebacker
|
signed with stanford
|
2017+
|
125
|
Simi Fehoko
|
wide receiver
|
signed with stanford
|
2017+
|