BYU Recruiting Calendar Heats Up With Summer Camps Opening

PROVO, Utah – During the COVID-19 pandemic, college sports experienced a historic halt to in-person recruiting. For the past 15 months, coaches have not been able to interact with recruits face-to-face. It’s created some unique challenges on the recruiting trail for both the schools and the student-athletes.

Those challenges appear to be in the rearview mirror.

On June 1st, the NCAA permitted in-person recruiting to take place. Giving colleges the chance to host official visitors, unofficial visits, and maybe the biggest piece of all for BYU, summer camps.

⁦@BHorodyski⁩ —best ops guy in the business—getting ready for start of BYU hoops camp. Can’t wait for these kids to get on campus today!! Anybody need a whistle? pic.twitter.com/RXpG0MuAdD

— Mark Pope (@CoachMarkPope) June 7, 2021

Summer Camps are big for BYU recruiting efforts

Summer camps are a huge component of BYU’s recruiting efforts in all of its athletic programs. But especially in football. Last year, no camps took place due to the pandemic.

In BYU’s 2021 football recruiting class, 12 of those prospects attended at least one BYU football camp. Back in 2016, former BYU star quarterback Zach Wilson was once a QB MVP at a BYU summer camp.

THE FIELD IS LINE ALREADY TO HARVEST!!!@BYUfootball Summer camps Lessgoooo!!!🤟🏾 pic.twitter.com/FtCXNB3M5o

— #IamJackDamuni 🇫🇯 (@JackDamuni) June 4, 2021

The summer camps help BYU see prospects in-person and give the recruits a chance to see BYU up close and build relationships with coaches.

On Monday, both the football and men’s basketball programs began hosting camps that will feature high school prospects. The basketball camp runs from June 7-10, while the football camp just west of LaVell Edwards Stadium at the intramural fields goes from June 7-9.

Football will have another high school camp next week from June 14-16, while basketball will host two additional boys camps from June 21-24, and June 28-July 1.

Last week, BYU hosted campers for the always anticipated Fathers & Sons camps, but no one in 9th grade and up was permitted to attend due to the NCAA’s in-person recruiting ban at the time.

In total, 17 different types of camps are offered to kids and their families. Ranging from football to Cougarette camp, #GirlDad camp, and more.

There have been many instances where kids showed up to BYU camp and wowed coaches, earning scholarship offers. One prime example is former Super Bowl Champion Brett Keisel.

Side note….I signed up for this camp in 1995. I met Coach Pella and worked out with the Tight Ends. Received a scholarship offer year later. Get out there and show your stuff kids. Never know where it will take you. #GoCougs https://t.co/hFFp14kWVF

— Brett Keisel (@bkeisel99) April 20, 2021

Keisel wrote on Twitter, “I signed up for this camp in 1995. I met Coach [Chris] Pella and worked out with the Tight Ends. Received a scholarship offer year later. Get out there and show your stuff kids. Never know where it will take you.”

BYU football currently has six commitments in the class of 2022. All six prospects hail from the state of Utah, headlined by American Fork athlete Noah Moeaki. Moeaki has the highest rating in the 247Sports Composite.

In basketball, the transfer portal has taken all the spotlight from traditional high school recruiting. But recruiting the top preps will be a top priority for Pope and his staff. Especially with national power Wasatch Academy in the backyard and RSL Academy rising up through the ranks. There will always be a place for elite prep talent in college basketball.

Some of that top high school talent can be found on the practice fields at courts at BYU summer camps this month.

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.