Signing day 2006: Positive signs

PROVO — BYU coach Bronco Mendenhall readily admits that he's not satisfied with where his program is, but he's optimistic that the 25 players who signed national letters of intent Wednesday to play for the Cougars will build a solid foundation for next season and beyond.

"I'm extremely excited about this class," Mendenhall said. "We're not recruiting potential. We're recruiting players who play hard right now."

BYU's Class of 2006 includes plenty of defensive help on the line — highlighted by California prep standouts Matangi Tonga and Romney Fuga — and in the secondary; a couple of local offensive stars (Pine View quarterback James Lark and Brighton running back Mike Hague); three transfers from Division I schools; and Texas high school star wide receiver McKay Jacobson, who is already enrolled in school.

The Cougars received a verbal commitment from Jacobson last summer. After a superb senior season, the all-Texas first-team selection graduated. He enrolled at BYU in January and is participating in offseason workouts.

"He's already making an impact. We're very proud of McKay," Mendenhall said. "He's probably the fastest player on our team already. And he knows how to work. If he hasn't won every sprint, he's won 85 percent. The impact he's made on his teammates is, basically, 'Who is this guy?' When they find out he's only a freshman, at mid-year of his senior year, they're very impressed, as am I. We graduated Todd Watkins. There's an open position. We'll see how that plays out."

Will Jacobson see playing time on special teams as well? "My intent is to use McKay Jacobson in every way possible for us to win," Mendenhall said. "I hope he's tired at the end of the game."

Three players who originally signed with other Division I schools before going on missions are joining the program — offensive lineman Tom Sorensen (Vanderbilt), quarterback Max Hall (Arizona State) and cornerback Brandon Bradley (Louisville).

Mendenhall stressed that his program is careful in the way it deals with missionaries.

"As they came to us, they came of their own regard," he said. "We will not recruit players while they're on their missions. That's not our policy. But when they do contact us, we'll certainly listen."

Bradley, who hails from Tallahassee, Fla., is currently serving a mission in Brazil.