Former BYU Players, National Analysts React To Matt Haarms Signing With Cougars

PROVO, Utah – April 23rd shall forever be known as the day BYU lands impact transfers. Last year, the Cougars received a commitment from Jake Toolson and on Thursday, one year later, Mark Pope’s staff landed a signature from 7-foot-3 big man Matt Haarms out of Purdue.

Haarms’ recruitment was a high-profile one as he was considered one of the top graduate transfers available this year. In signing with BYU, Haarms turned down offers from Kentucky, Texas Tech, Gonzaga, and others.

Due to the programs surrounding Haarms’ recruitment, social media popped off when all 7-foot-3 of Haarms announced he would be playing for BYU. In Salt Lake City, the terms “Haarms,” “Burgess,” and “#BYUHoops” were all trending in the early afternoon Thursday on Twitter.

Here are some of the notable reactions.

Former BYU players weigh in on Haarms’ signing

Coach Pope doing what he does best! Guys want to play for him and his staff. It’s no wonder though, they are the best in the business. Some of the best dudes I know🙏🏼Congrats Matt! https://t.co/vxUApPqXDx

— Jake Toolson (@jtoolgoinham) April 23, 2020

Former BYU guard Jake Toolson who helped lead the Cougars to their first ranked season in nine years wrote, “Coach Pope doing what he does best! Guys want to play for him and his staff. It’s no wonder though, they are the best in the business. Some of the best dudes I know [emoji] Congrats Matt!”

My quarantine just got 1000x better!Unbelievable job by the coaching staff @CoachMarkPope @Cody_Fueger @chrisburgess34 @CoachNick_BYU . You made the right choice @MattHaarmsHair ! Welcome to @BYUbasketball family!

— Craig Cusick (@craig_cusick) April 23, 2020

Former BYU assistant coach Tim LaComb congratulated the current staff on their recruiting win.

HUGE get for @BYUbasketball, and on @chrisburgess34 birthday no less! Congrats boys. https://t.co/dIKoGxICaP

— Tim LaComb (@tlacomb) April 23, 2020

Pope and his staff are the real deal. All three assistants are future head coaches. Welcome to the FAMILY Matt @BYUbasketball 🏀👏👏 https://t.co/ImXWuozCi9

— Travis Hansen (@travishansen24) April 23, 2020

Travis Hansen, a former BYU star and NBA Draft pick gave high praise to Mark Pope and his team of assistant coaches. “Pope and his staff are the real deal. All three assistants are future head coaches. Welcome to the FAMILY Matt @BYUbasketball.”

Those assistant coaches Hansen was referring to were obviously excited by the news of Haarms becoming official.

Matt Haarms …👀👊🏽💙 #Welcome #GoCougs@BYUbasketball @byuROC https://t.co/aeRZeez9gd

— Nick Robinson (@CoachNick_BYU) April 23, 2020

Assistant coach Chris Burgess was instrumental in landing Haarms received a huge birthday present from the 7-3 big man. “Let’s go! Can’t wait to get Matt Haarms to Provo & work with him. Cougar nation, please welcome Matt to the BYU family! #GoCougs #BYUhoops”

Let’s go! Can’t wait to get Matt Haarms to Provo & work with him. Cougar nation, please welcome Matt to the BYU family! #GoCougs #BYUhoops https://t.co/cGNxlQASZH

— Chris Burgess (@chrisburgess34) April 23, 2020

pic.twitter.com/93wxzrMFdr

— Cody Fueger (@Cody_Fueger) April 23, 2020

National analysts react to Matt Haarms signing with BYU

Dick Vitale thinks Haarms will be awesome with a capital A, baby! “A fab get by @CoachMarkPope & @BYUbasketball as he beats out his ex school Kentucky for prize transfer 7’3″ @Matthaarms . BBN relax as this will bring fire to @UKCoachCalipari & he will find a way to strike to gold.”

A fab get by ⁦@CoachMarkPope⁩ & ⁦@BYUbasketball⁩ as he beats out his ex school Kentucky for prize transfer 7’3” @Matthaarms . BBN relax as this will bring fire to ⁦@UKCoachCalipari⁩ & he will find a way to strike gold . https://t.co/XpycLSzqDK

— Dick Vitale (@DickieV) April 23, 2020

Great spot for him. He will leave college playing for @CoachPainter and @CoachMarkPope. That’s being coached extremely well before he becomes a pro. @BYUbasketball will be right back in the mix for a bid. Just need to make sure they have shooters too (@WCChoops). https://t.co/i5Fsva5uvs

— Andy Katz (@TheAndyKatz) April 23, 2020

Pretty good birthday present for @chrisburgess34 https://t.co/LWQlvzEKcs

— Doug Gottlieb (@GottliebShow) April 23, 2020

Matt Haarms now joins BYU's returning nucleus of Alex Barcello and Kolby Lee.

Cougars should again be among the WCC's top challengers to Gonzaga along with San Francisco, and Saint Mary's.

Would not sleep on Pepperdine either. https://t.co/0yspXOxakI

— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) April 23, 2020

HUGE get for @BYUbasketball landing Purdue transfer Matt Haarms!! He picked an AMAZING coach & a better man in @CoachMarkPope! The Cougars are going to be LEGIT next season! pic.twitter.com/HJxylZ9rzk

— Kevin Connors (@kevconnorsespn) April 23, 2020

Thought this quote from Matt Haarms was interesting:

“I’m an older guy, 23. It’s not even one year. It’s eight months. At this point in my career, I’m not worried about facilities and locker rooms and how many Nike shoes I’m getting. That stopped being important for me.” https://t.co/mW9BGRDrIw

— Jeff Borzello (@jeffborzello) April 23, 2020

Matt Haarms makes it offical, announcing that he has committed to BYU over Kentucky, Texas Tech and basically everyone in college basketball. Huge get for the Cougars.

— Rob Dauster (@RobDauster) April 23, 2020

Haarms will have one year of eligibility while at BYU. The Cougars have a non-conference schedule that is expected to feature games against Utah in Provo, Pac-12 favorite Arizona State, and the Junkanoo Jam in the Bahamas.

Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for KSLsports.com and host of the Cougar Tracks Podcast (SUBSCRIBE) and Cougar Sports Saturday (Saturday from 12-3 pm) on KSL Newsradio. Follow him on Twitter: @Mitch_Harper.