BYU recruiting solid under Mendenhall

Just how solid is the foundation Bronco Mendenhall has BYU football on when both his MWC titles came on the backs of recruits signed by his predecessor, Gary Crowton?

According to members of his staff and experts inside and out of the program who watch recruiting trends, the situation is solid and firm, and it's because of Mendenhall — no disrespect to the other guy.

Crowton recruits such as John Beck, Curtis Brown, Jonny Harline and Daniel Coats are gone. Others like Austin Collie, Dennis Pitta, David Nixon and Dallas Reynolds return in 2008 after helping seniors like Bryan Kehl and Quinn Gooch earn a second straight championship in 2007. The future looks bright, according to BYU recruiting coordinator Paul Tidwell.

Why?

In the transition between the Crowton and Mendenhall eras, recruiting has become far more refined, consistent and tuned in to the needs of the program. It is an enhanced organization with leadership and a vision of what the Cougars can and can't do on the field. It's "operational machinery" Mendenhall has engineered as a workable soul to BYU football, his staff says.

And it works.

Since Mendenhall took over the BYU reins in December 2004, fans have seen only a glimpse of his recruiting. He's tried not to wheel out freshmen and force them into battle, said Tidwell.

"The recruits signed the past three years are pretty darned good," he said.

A taste of what's to come? Harvey Unga, the MWC freshman of the year, committed to play for Utah as a linebacker during Crowton's watch, then switched his commitment to play running back at BYU under Mendenhall. The impact is obvious.

In 2008? With the addition of one freshman next fall, Bingham High kicker Justin Sorensen, the MWC's No. 1 defense will add 10 to 15 yards to what opponents will have to transverse. That's just one body.

Other than playing Hawaii freshman Ian Dulan in 2006 and Timpview freshman Eathyn Manumaleuna this year, Mendenhall has wheeled out very few freshmen recruits, especially from 2007. They are linebacker Austen Jorgensen and safety Tyler Beck, who were pressed into special-teams duty this fall.

While Crowton's last recruiting class of 2004 yielded stars like linemen Ray Feinga and Terrance Brown, in the long run, it proved to be a disaster. Half the class didn't stay around, never showed up or simply got kicked out of school.