BYU football: Joe DuPaix excited about first recruiting class

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Editor's note: This if the first of a three-part series examining the recruiting efforts of the state's three Division I football programs leading up to Wednesday's 2012 National Letter of Intent Day. Read part 2 here. Read part 3 here

PROVO — BYU's first year of independence coincided with Joe DuPaix's first year as recruiting coordinator.

The fruits of the Cougars' recruiting efforts will be realized on Wednesday — national letter of intent day.

"It's been a great year. Yeah, I'll be kind of excited when it's done," said DuPaix, who is also BYU's running backs coach. "I look at Wednesday as a celebration. I'm pretty excited to see Wednesday come and celebrate those guys that sign their name on the dotted line and become Brigham Young Cougars."

Last fall, BYU received unprecedented exposure thanks to its broadcast deal with ESPN. The Cougars appeared on the ESPN family of networks 11 times, which has made a big impact on recruiting.

DuPaix has found that after BYU plays on ESPN, the staff receives unsolicited highlight films of potential recruits from around the country.

"Young men are e-mailing and calling in very regularly," DuPaix said. "I think it's just the tip of the iceberg. I think it continues to build. As we play more and more on national TV, it's just going to continue to hopefully better our recruiting effort."

Added DuPaix, "the increased exposure has definitely attracted more recruits and more coaches and it has educated the coaches and recruits throughout the country on what BYU is and what BYU stands for and the success of our program. To finish in the top 25, obviously, is very beneficial as well … It's a big deal."

Increased exposure also "kind of increases the pool (of prospects) we can look at," DuPaix said. "They want to learn more what BYU is and what we represent. They want to come play here."

Recruits like knowing that at BYU, they will have the opportunity to play on the ESPN networks on a regular basis.