Cougars adding another Reynolds

Loyalty appears to run in the family.

On Thursday, Timpview High School lineman Houston Reynolds became the 22nd high school football player to commit to sign a letter of intent with BYU.

Reynolds will follow in the footsteps of his father, Lance, who played for LaVell Edwards in the mid-1970s, and older brothers Lance Jr., Dallas and Matt.

"We're fired up about it and so is he," said his father, BYU's assistant head coach.

Houston, who started for the Thunderbirds as a freshman on the defensive line, plays on both sides for Timpview but will likely be a guard or center in college. His early commit will likely end recruiting by colleges who have been thinking the youngest Reynolds would go to BYU. He had offers from Oregon and Stanford.

"We didn't get him the exposure that Matt had," coach Reynolds said. "Matt's situation was different because my coaching situation was up in the air during his recruiting and he received more attention."

The youngest Reynolds, in the mold of Dallas, is currently a starter at tackle. He has played guard and is training to play the center position.

"He's a very physical, strong player, like Dallas," said the father.

It is unclear at this point if Houston will go on a mission immediately after high school like older brothers Lance, Dallas and Matt. He is 18-years old. Matt returns home this spring from Munich, Germany, a mission where he's been mostly serving in Austria. He's currently in Vienna.

"We are excited to have Houston play at home where his family can see him. This is a big deal for all of us," Reynolds said.

EARLY PREDICTIONS: Utah's choice of Brett Ratliff will give the Utes more wins than Brian Johnson would have produced because of fewer turnovers. But Johnson would have racked up more productive stats, if healthy from start to end.

UCLA's Ben Olson continues to battle for the Bruin QB starting job. Despite high school hype, it will be tough for this returned missionary until his junior or senior year. If the Utes get Olson, chalk up a Ute win by 10.

BYU's passing hype aside (John Beck is unofficially 60 of 72 for 760 yards and seven TDs in fall 11-on-11 drills excluding situational ball placements), it will be the Cougar running game that makes the difference if the Cougars defeat Arizona in Tucson on Sept. 2.