BYU Football’s Offers During First Evaluation Period As Big 12 Member
Jun 7, 2022, 12:22 AM | Updated: 12:31 am
BYU football head coach Kalani Sitake is building up the Cougars to prepare for the Big 12 Conference beginning in 2023. (Scott G. Winterton, Deseret News)
(Scott G. Winterton, Deseret News)
PROVO, Utah – BYU football just completed its first recruiting evaluation period as a member of the Big 12 Conference.
The evaluation period runs from April 15-May 31. It’s an opportunity for college coaches to “assess the academic qualifications and playing ability of prospective student-athletes.” A key piece to the formation of recruiting classes, the 2022 evaluation period took on greater significance as BYU now has Power Five affiliation to sell on the recruiting trail.
BYU even donned team-issued Nike apparel sporting the Big 12 logo to highlight their new conference affiliation while interacting with recruits at their schools.
Hitting the recruiting trail in that new drip π§ pic.twitter.com/0mQdCevod1
— BYU FOOTBALL (@BYUfootball) April 14, 2022
BYU got a firsthand glimpse of what talent is necessary to win a Big 12 championship last season. The Cougars faced Baylor and lost 38-24 in a game that physically saw the Bears handle a nationally-ranked BYU team.
“[Baylor] won the championship and that’s what we want to be. They set the standard,” BYU coach Kalani Sitake said last February on Signing Day. “There’s a lot of really good teams in that conference and we have to chase it.”
BYU’s coaching staff made trips from around the country over the past six weeks. The frequent flyer miles included a visit to Florida’s Lake Gibson High School to check in on five-star DB Cormani McClain. To the islands of Hawaii. It was a busy six weeks for BYU’s coaching staff.
Along with visits to prospects who already held BYU offers, BYU’s coaching staff also extended scholarship offers to new prospects from 2023, 2024, and 2025 recruiting classes.
Upwards of 35 recruits received offers from BYU during the spring evaluation period. A big focus was on the wide receiver position, where nine recruits landed offers.
Now the focus in recruiting shifts to camps and hosting official visitors in an effort to lock down the 2023 recruiting class.
But as that shift happens, here’s a recap of the prospects that landed scholarship offers from a newly minted Big 12 program, BYU, during the spring evaluation period.
BYU Football Class of 2023 Offers during spring evaluation
Roger Alderman | OL | Sonora (Calif.) High
After a great conversation with @unga45 Iβm blessed to have received a scholarship offer from @BYUfootball #GoCougs @Coach_DFunk @CoachMeetch @SonoraHigh @BrandonHuffman @PGregorian @On3Recruits pic.twitter.com/AbKvAobtd1
β Roger Alderman (@AldermanRoger) May 25, 2022
Sean Brown | DB | Simi Valley (Calif.) High
After a amazing talk with coach @jernarogilford Iβm happy to announce that Iβve received a offer from Brigham Young University #GoCougs @simi_football @GregBiggins @K12Elite @247Sports @latsondheimer @AurandBlueprint @coachjb21 pic.twitter.com/uNGYDUacZE
β Sean Brown (@_SeanBrown1) April 22, 2022
Landen Chambers | RB | Fossil Ridge (Texas) High
#AGTG After a great conversation with @unga45 Iβm Blessed to have received a Offer from BYU!!! #GoCougs @SkysTheLimitWR @TrustMyEyesO @ridgerecruiting @coach_LDMC @BHoward_11 pic.twitter.com/6cztCH7MXq
β Landen Chambers (@_LandenChambers) May 13, 2022
Anthony Evans | WR | Judson (Texas) High
Note: Evans has recently lined up three official visits for Oklahoma, Georgia, and Penn State this month.
AGTGβΌοΈ Blessed and Honored to receive my 26th D1 Offer. Thank you @fsitake @tysonmcdaniel10 @BYUfootball @coachsotopop pic.twitter.com/LQ5puAsrOO
β β‘οΈβ‘οΈAnthony (AE3)Evans IIIβ‘οΈβ‘οΈ (@AnthonyEvansIII) May 16, 2022
Keynan Higgins | WR | Pittsburg (Calif.) High
Blessed to receive an offer from BYU after a great conversation with coach Lamb @BYUfootball @PittHSFootball @CoachLawson24_7 @BrandonHuffman @HigginsKenroy pic.twitter.com/7dJGP6iCDL
β Keynan Higgins π―π² (@KeynanHiggins5) April 28, 2022
Vincent Holmes | ATH | San Jacinto (Calif.) High
after a great conversation with @jernarogilford i am blessed to receive a(n) offer from brigham young university ππ€ @BYUfootball i would like to thank @Coach_Galliano. @GregBiggins @BrandonHuffman @adamgorney pic.twitter.com/T1AJj2D9MQ
β 4βοΈATH vincent holmes (@vincentholmes18) May 12, 2022
Nyziah Hunter | WR | Salinas (Calif.) High
After a great conversation with @CoachKevinClune I am blessed to receive an offer from Brigham Young University!! @BYUfootball @BYUfootball @SHSCowboyFB @JohnJDevine @jernarogilford @BrandonHuffman pic.twitter.com/XFM9d3Gt5i
β Nyziah Hunter (@nyziahHunter3) May 2, 2022
Blake Nichelsen | LB | Manteca (Calif.) High
Note: Has lined up official visits to Washington, Florida State, and Oregon already.
Extremely blessed to receive an offer from @BYUfootball !!!! Thank you @unga45 @kalanifsitake !!@BrandonHuffman @ChadSimmons_ @GregBiggins @adamgorney @MantecaFootball @_Vc_209 pic.twitter.com/ia7ye9ACDd
β Blake Nichelson 4βοΈLB (@NichelsonBlake) May 10, 2022
Donavyn Pellot | ATH | Silverado (Nev.) High
Blessed to receive an offer from Brigham Young Universityππ€#GoCougs @BYUfootball pic.twitter.com/Sjm5GlrdMK
β Donavyn Pellot (@2EZDUECE) May 6, 2022
Leo Pulalasi | ATH | Lakes (Wash.) High
After a great talk with @unga45 I am excited to say I have received an offer from @BYUfootball @lakescoachmills @TFordFSP @RealMG96 @LakesLancers @BrandonHuffman @RylandSpencer #lakes #teamfsp pic.twitter.com/mYhrdyLhng
β Leo pulalasi (@LeoPulalasi) April 27, 2022
Brandon Ramirez | ATH | San Joaquin Memorial (Calif.) High
God is Great! Blessed to receive a big time offer to Brigham Young University. Thank you for believing in me @unga45 pic.twitter.com/NK2mtSpE62
β Brandon Ramirez (@BRANDORAMIREZ_8) May 24, 2022
Kendrick Raphael | RB | Naples (FL) High
Note: Has lined up official visits with NC State and Iowa since receiving an offer from BYU.
After a great conversation with coach @jay_howw. Iβm blessed to receive an offer from Brigham Young University!!!ππ€ @BYUfootball @unga45 @BYUDFO pic.twitter.com/Bf3uiOVeQD
β Kendrick Raphael (@RaphaelKendrick) June 1, 2022
Anthony Robinson | CB | Butler Community College (JUCO)
Note: Has an official visit to Missouri on June 25th.
#AGTG Beyond Blessed! Brigham Young University! @kalanifsitake @JUCOFFrenzy pic.twitter.com/tfAzksYYL4
β Anthony βA-Robβ Robinson (@Governor_AR) May 18, 2022
Kenyon Sadiq | ATH | Skyline Senior (ID) High
Note: Sadiq has official visits lined up with Iowa State, Michigan, and Washington State. He’s a four-star prospect on 247Sports’ own rankings.
Blessed to have received an offer from BYU! #GoCougs @fsitake @kalanifsitake @BrandonHuffman @adamgorney @GoodEatzSWR @RAREAcademyID @ChetTaylor13 @SkylineGrizzFB pic.twitter.com/AKkI0tFgnt
β Kenyon Sadiq 4βοΈ (@KenyonSadiq) April 27, 2022
Tre Spivey | WR | Hamilton (AZ) High
I am very blessed to have received an offer from BYU!! @fsitake @bangulo @TomLuginbill @JUSTCHILLY @TheUCReport @Husky_Football7 @Coach_Demory @bhoward_11 pic.twitter.com/xin6fVdIL3
β TrΓ© Spivey (@SpiveyTre) May 19, 2022
Dijon Stanley | ATH | Granada Hills (Calif.) High
After a great talk with @jernarogilford I am blessed to say I have received an offer from BYUπ @SFVRush @C_Robinson247 @RivalsFriedman @BuckyBrooks pic.twitter.com/vzGv4paUBw
β Dijon Stanley (@dijon_stanley4) April 20, 2022
Kahlee Tafai | OT | Leuzinger (Calif.) High
All glory to God for the many blessings, that being said I am blessed to have earned an offer from BYU thank you @Coach_DFunk @BYUfootball @recruitcoachmc @BManu86 @GregBiggins @Leuzinger_FB @adamgorney @247Sports pic.twitter.com/nx1LYT78i7
β Kahlee Tafai (@KahleeTafai_) May 25, 2022
Isaac Washington | DL | Butler Community College (JUCO)
Note: A former three-star Tennessee signee in the 2021 signing class.
#AGTG Blessed to be offered by @BYUfootball pic.twitter.com/3tmvh52I4J
β BIGGORILLAπ©Έ (@isaacw_74) May 19, 2022
Offers to recruits in the Class of 2024
Gatlin Bair | WR | Kimberly (ID) High
Blessed to have received an offer from BYU! @fsitake @kalanifsitake @BrandonHuffman @adamgorney @GoodEatzSWR @RAREAcademyID @TRS_Performance pic.twitter.com/41sWCm5B5g
β Gatlin Bair (@BairGatlin) April 27, 2022
Paki Finau | OL | Oak Hills (Calif.) High
After a conversation with @Coach_DFunk I am honored to say I have received an offer to BYU, thank you so much! π΅βͺοΈ #BlessedAndGrateful @BYUFBRecruiting @kalanifsitake @coachmetty @NickMonica63 @CoachSmith1044 @247Sports @GregBiggins @BrandonHuffman pic.twitter.com/1JXu8AJsHV
β pakifinau53 (@pakifinau53) June 5, 2022
Micah Gilbert | WR | Charlotte Christian (NC)
Note: Four-star prospect in the 247Sports Composite ratings.
Blessed to receive an offer from BYU Football! @CoachJasonEstep @fsitake @BYUfootball #AGTG pic.twitter.com/D0isrSIDDc
β Micah Gilbert (@Gilbert316Micah) May 19, 2022
Chance Harrison | ATH | Rio Mesa (Calif.) High
#AG2G After a great conversation with @jernarogilford i am proud to say that i have received my first offer from @BYUfootball @BrandonHuffman @vcspreps @JimBittner4 @coachmorfin @RioMesaFootball #BYU #Gocougs pic.twitter.com/6nQV5rDBrE
β Chance Harrison (@ChanceHarriso14) April 21, 2022
Miles Lockhart | ATH | Basha (AZ) High
Note: Four-star prospect in the 247Sports Composite ratings.
After a great conversation with @CoachPHadley God has blessed me an offer to Birgham Young University !!! π pic.twitter.com/21ezXPvYFf
β Miles Lockhart (@MilesLockhart1) May 13, 2022
Blake Lowe | ATH | Chaparral (Calif.) High
After a GREAT conversation with @fsitake and @jernarogilford I feel so blessed to announce that I have received my first Division 1 offer to play football at BYU!!! GO COUGS!! @chaparralpumafb @Coach_Ramer @BYUfootball @247recruiting @jay_howw pic.twitter.com/HIQiADDdnk
β Blake Lowe (@Blake_Lowe13) May 13, 2022
Jeremiah Newcombe | CB | Casteel (AZ) High
Note: Four-star prospect in 247Sports’ own ratings.
After a great conversation with @Coach_DFunk, I have received an offer to @BYUfootball. Thank you for the opportunity and for recognizing my potential to perform at the collegiate level. @DB_UElite @BYU_CoachJustin @jernarogilford @coachnewcombe @CasteelFootball @IsaiahNewcombe pic.twitter.com/R3U1r5IN0O
β Jeremiah Newcombe 5β 11β 175lbs DB/WR/ATH (@newcombe_jj) May 31, 2022
Kahekili “Koi” Pa’ao’ao | LB | Liberty (NV) High
Thankful and blessed to have received my 4th division 1 offer from Bringham Young University! @Jasen_AhYou @byufootball @BYUFBRecruiting @muraco_lhs @CoachKaipo @unko_kaikZ @CoachWest100 #GoCougs πΎ #AG2G pic.twitter.com/vNGo8ubmEl
β KAHEKILI βKOIβ PAβAOβAO (@kahekili1_) May 7, 2022
David Washington | WR | Arbor View (NV) High
Note: Four-star recruit in the 247Sports Composite Ratings.
Extremely blessed to receive a scholarship offer from BYU !!Thank you to coach Clark and the coaching staff for the opportunity! @BYUfootball pic.twitter.com/zdacxcpGfx
β David Washington (@Dlw_beast) May 11, 2022
Justus Woods | ATH | Carlsbad (Calif.) High
Extremely blessed to receive an offer to BYU thank you Coach Lamb and the coaching staff for the opportunity @BYUfootball #GoCougs pic.twitter.com/yRi3rJc5t8
β Justus Woods (@JustusWoods3) May 13, 2022
Offers to recruits in the Class of 2025
Ashton “Dash” Beierly | QB | Chaparral (Calif.) High
Honored to receive my 2nd Power 5 offer from @BYUfootball grateful for the opportunity. Thank you @kalanifsitake @CoachRoderick @fsitake day by day working to improve! @GregBiggins @Coach_Ramer @BrandonHuffman @adamgorney @chaparralpumafb pic.twitter.com/QSqRq64AnI
β Ashton βDashβ Beierly (@DashBeierly) May 18, 2022
Alvin Henderson | RB | Elba (AL) High
Note: Has already reached 40+ offers before his junior year of high school football.
#AG2G WOW!! Blessed to receive my 40th βοΈffer from Brigham Young University!! @Coach_DFunk @BYUfootball @BYU_CoachJustin!! @adamgorney @ChadSimmons_ @SWiltfong247 @RWrightRivals @DemetricDWarren @ElbaAthletics @amsieving @GasCrew7v7 @JMac_Sports @SylvieSparksTV @LemmingReport πββ¬ pic.twitter.com/29NEuwmmiO
β “πΌπ‘π«ππ£ πππ£πππ§π¨π€π£” (@AlHenderson_1) June 1, 2022
Alai Kalaniuvalu | OT | Timpview High
Note: Kalaniuvalu has eight reported offers from Power Five schools before his junior year at Timpview.
After a great phone call with @Coach_DFunk I am very grateful to announce that I have been offered a scholarship from Brigham Young University. Thank You Coach @DonnyAtuaia @CoachAndyStokes and the rest of the coaching staff for believing in me up to this point. Go Cougsπ€πΎ pic.twitter.com/IrtT7j2LT7
β Alai Kalaniuvalu (@AKalaniuvalu) May 11, 2022
Tavian McNair | WR | Canyon Springs (NV) High
Grateful to God ππΎ for the opportunity of receiving a scholarship offer from @CoachSteveClark and @fsitake @kalanifsitake @BYUfootball @DHill39 @GusMcNair009 @bangulo @adamgorney @GregBiggins @DemetricDWarren @VernonFox3 @_DHodges @CoachNorris34 @Md3baller33 #GoCougs #LLReek46 pic.twitter.com/RMGcI7BmQ6
β Tavian A. McNair (@TavianMcNair) May 7, 2022
Derek Meadows | WR | Bishop Gorman (NV)
After a great conversation with Coach Steve Clark, I am blessed and honored to announce that I have earned my first D1 offer from Brigham Young University (BYU) #GoCougars @kalanifsitake @fsitake @BYUfootball @BishopGormanFB @bangulo @GregBiggins @BrandonHuffman @VaBranch @Lv_GCS pic.twitter.com/cxvcgTcPLd
β Derek_Meadows30 (@Derek_Meadows30) May 10, 2022
Others: BYU also offered 2023 interior offensive lineman Alexander Doost in April. Since his offer from BYU, he has committed to the Northwestern Wildcats.
Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for KSLsports.com and host of the Cougar Tracks Podcast (SUBSCRIBE) and Cougar Sports Saturday (Saturday from 12β3 p.m.) on KSL Newsradio. Follow him on Twitter:Β @Mitch_Harper.
