BYU football: Cougars land Troy Hinds

KAYSVILLE — Troy Hinds, in press release that was leaked earlier today, informed the media of his intentions to commit to BYU. This ends an exhaustive recruiting process for Hinds and his family.

“After much thought and deliberation I have made my decision where I will be getting my education and playing football,” said Hinds in the release. “I will be enrolling at Brigham Young University after I complete my LDS church mission. I’m very excited about the academic, social and football opportunities I will have at BYU.”

The 6-foot-5, 225-pound Davis High prospect had been receiving loads of attention from some of the top programs in the country. After receiving his 16th offer earlier this spring, he basically cut off the process, narrowing his choices to six schools (BYU, Utah, Nebraska, Stanford, Cal and Notre Dame).

“I want to express my sincere appreciation to coach Whittingham and coach Hill at the University of Utah along with coach Anderson at Stanford, coach Tupoi at Cal, the coaches at Notre Dame, coach Brown at Nebraska along with all of the rest of the wonderful coaches I have met along the way,” said the Davis High prospect. “They have all been very kind and professional in the way they have recruited me. I have made good friendships with many coaches across the country during the process and I hope to continue those relationships over time. It was a difficult decision saying no to the great Pac-12 schools and others that have recruited me but in the end I know in my heart that BYU is the best school for me.”

Hinds was tabbed by just about everyone to not only be the top in-state prospect for 2012, but one of the better football prospects the state has produced for some time.

He was rated as a 4-star prospect by both scout.com , and by rivals.com and as their 14th and 17th-ranked defensive end prospect in the country, respectively.

He was being recruited by most to play defensive end, which is the position he played throughout his high school years. While at BYU though, with their 3-4 base defense, he’ll man the weakside outside linebacker spot.

Given his overall strength, agility and speed (he recorded an 11.4 100-meter time), he’s drawn a lot of comparisons to former Cougar and current Green Bay Packer Brady Poppinga.

“I would also like to thank my mom and dad along with coach Ryan Bishop for their support throughout the entire three-year recruiting process,“ he said. “It was a fun ride but I’m relieved and excited that I know I’m going to be playing football and getting my education at BYU.”

email: bgurney@desnews.com

Twitter: @BrandonCGurney