It's great for us, he's obviously a huge addition. But I do honestly feel bad for the guy. The same way I'd feel bad for Roberts if he transferred to Texas A&M this year. Or Glasker if he'd gone to USC. It's not about BYU or Utah.

It's about a guy leaving a place where he is loved and respected and going elsewhere and losing that legacy. It's possible that Tanuvasa establishes the same at BYU, but it's tough, especially if he only stays one year.

This is (in my opinion) the ugly side of the portal. Given his strident proclamations about "absolutely a Utah man until I die" it seems he was happy there until something changed his mind. Most likely (but not guaranteed) is that it was money.

And I don't blame him if he chased the money (I probably would). And I don't blame BYU (or others) for throwing money at him - we have the money, he's good and it was a clear position of need. But these are the transfers I hate to see, where a player is ruining their legacy, their ability to come back as a fan favorite in 15 years for a short-term win. Which remains true whether he chased a smaller pay bump or a bigger SEC one

If you're buried on the bench somewhere and want playing time to show your skills? Great reason to transfer.

If you're moving up a level (FCS or G5 to P4 or even going to a big-time national contender brand) and increasing your exposure and chances of being drafted? Great reason to transfer - long term benefits.

Even if you've got issues with your coaching staff and are unhappy where you are, that's a good reason to transfer.

Given his previous statements, none of that seems to apply to Tanuvasa. And it makes me sad to see a kid throw away his legacy at a place he'd established himself. I see it a lot in the current environment and I have sympathy.

Like I said, it's not a Utah or BYU thing.

As an aside, with Puka and even Ty'Son, I think it's less of an issue since they hadn't really established themselves elsewhere. By the same token, Clegg doesn't lose a legacy and love of a fanbase because he never really had it.

Even Snowden (who would likely be a bigger loss on the field for Utah) probably wouldn't have the same emotional impact and loss of legacy since he's built less at Utah and would have more time to build at BYU

This is more in line with when Pili left to Tennessee or the Barrington brothers left to Baylor. Don't love those sorts of transfers regardless of which team is the beneficiary