Recruit reflects Bronco's approach

Bronco Mendenhall may have found the poster player for his newfangled recruiting plan.

Right after being hired in 2005, Mendenhall raised a few eyebrows by listing his priorities for traits in football players. The bill went like this: Emphasis will be put on character, academics and athleticism — in that order.

The coach didn't want to discount the importance of tackling, blocking, catching and passing the football, but clearly he spoke frankly about distancing Cougar football from the bad headlines of the player scandals of 2004.

Some say that's a recipe for good grades but finishing second on the field. Others argue it's a Stepford roster. Still others are giddy over the emphasis of cleaning up the barn. Anti-BYU folks, many of a red persuasion, can live with the Cougars having a cleaner plan, but hate them talking about it.

Enter Huntington Beach, Calif., senior defensive tackle Romney Fuga, who signed with the Cougars this past February and will be in Provo later this month after finishing a summer senior trip to Samoa and New Zealand.

It remains to be seen if Fuga can make an impact on the Division I stage. We're all familiar with high school recruiting hype that places a lot of kids on a lofty perch they struggle to live up to.

But with this Fuga kid, it looks like Mendenhall has pocketed a nugget with his first two priorities.

This past month, the Orange County Register named Fuga as the boys athlete of the year.

When the paper called Fuga's home with the news four weeks ago, Romney's younger sister Romnila answered the phone and told her mother, Lavalea, who started to cry. Ask the little sister about her big brother and, expectantly, she gushes. "He's humble, very caring, very fun and always there for me. He has very high standards, had a 4.0 GPA his last semester and is all about friends and family."

OK, from a biased source.

But nearby Santa Ana College head trainer Gary Kinney, who knows Fuga, confirms little sister's adoration. "He's the real deal. People in this area see him as a genuine leader among his peers. In my opinion, he's the picture-perfect kid for what Bronco is looking for."

Described as humble, obedient, faithful and dependable, Fuga is apparently a Mendenhall fit.

But athletically?