BYU, Utah, Utah State football: Recruiting grades

BYU: A-

The BYU class is headlined by five national caliber recruits, including the top quarterback prospect in the country, Jake Heaps. Heaps ended up with close to 30 offers from most major programs in the country, and proved to be as good a recruiter for BYU as a potential quarterback. Heaps was directly responsible for bringing big time receiver Ross Apo to BYU, as well as highly touted linebacker Zach Stout. Indirectly, however, it's rumored that the Heaps recruiting phenomenon was influential on at least five other recruits.

Rounding out the signing class for BYU are guys like Josh Quezada and Graham Rowley, both guys who could see playing time as freshmen. With Quezada, the Cougars are getting a guy who chose to cut off his prized long hair to conform to the honor code at BYU, in spite of not being a member of the LDS church and not growing up in Utah. Rowley is another big Hawaiian guard who will plug right in.

Overall the BYU class is very flashy at the top, solid in the middle, and good at the bottom. Heaps and local talent Bronson Kaufusi are easily the prize of the class, with no major recruiting losses like in previous years.

Utah: A-

The Utes set out to sign a balanced class for 2010, and judging by the 24 signees (12 on offense, 12 on defense), Kyle Whittingham is a happy man. Expanding the presence in Texas after the Sugar Bowl was a high priority for the Utes, and capitalizing on that momentum has helped add depth. More important, however, was "reloading" at the positions of need. By signing the top ranked junior college offensive lineman in the country, John Cullen (Fullerton College), the Utes shocked the likes of USC and Oklahoma with a signing day surprise.

The Utes signed two stud wide receivers, Terrell Reese and Kenneth Scott. Defensively, the Utes signed two big-time recruits in Hawaii linebacker prospect VJ Fehoko and Houston Klein Forest defensive back Damian Payne.

Overall the Utes' class accomplished the goals of finding a replacement for Zane Beadles, signing a promising linebacker, and bringing in several athletic speedsters on defense.

Utah State: B

The Aggies set out to fill their needs in the class of 2010 by going hard after in-state kids, junior college transfers, and strengthening a new recruiting area (Florida). Judging by the signing class results, mission accomplished for Gary Andersen. Utah State's class is highlighted by the cornerback prospect out of Florida, Nevin Lawson. Lawson committed early to the Aggies and stayed true to his pledge.

The Aggies did not win any recruiting battles in-state against BYU or Utah, but managed to sign guys that fit their system. By landing players like Pleasant Grove's Jason Fanaika and Cottonwood's Taani Fisilau, the Brent Guy days of snubbing in-state talent appears to be over in Logan.

Overall the Aggie class fills in some gaps on defense and offense. But if Andersen wants to play with the big boys, the next step will involve beating the in-state big boys for top talent.