BYU football gets early commits from QB Billy Green, receiver Hayden Weichers

PROVO — BYU received two commitments Monday to bring its total up to 14 for the 2013 signing class. Billy Green, a quarterback prospect from King's Christian High School in Seattle committed along with Hayden Weichers, who plays wide receiver for Bingham High School.

The two became acquainted during BYU's junior day earlier this month before committing on the same day.

Green, who isn't LDS, became impressed with BYU's rich quarterback tradition through the recruiting process and soon found out how big the news is of any quarterback commitment in Provo.

"My phone has been ringing off the hook since I committed," said the 6-foot-2, 196 quarterback prospect. "It's great being able to go to a school that has such a great tradition at the quarterback position and I love that about BYU."

Green was recommended to Cougar coaches by the Barton camp instructors in Washington in part due to his strong Christian values. In attending a religious high school, Green is used to and enjoys attending a school with strong Christian values and ethics.

"The honor code is something I like about BYU," said Green. "I'm a strong Christian and it's great to know that I'll be attending a school with a lot of my same values."

Green stood out among 15 quarterback prospects who worked out for BYU coaches during junior day and was met with an offer. Upon leaving BYU, he had a good sense that he'd end up committing there, but needed a final stamp of approval.

"My dad was on board having been out (to BYU), but we wanted to bring (my) mom out here before we made any final decision," said Green. "She immediately fell in love with the place. She loves the coaches, loves the feel of the place and obviously loves the honor code."

Green threw for 2,397 yards, 40 touchdowns and just eight interceptions last year starting for King's. He received a lot of late interest from schools such as Washington and Washington State, but was intent on committing by the end of June. Fortunately, for him, he feels he found a perfect fit.

"Everything about BYU makes so much sense about why it's the right school for me," said Green. "There really isn't anything about it not to like. I can get a great education while attending a school with students who have the same values. It's also an amazing program with amazing facilities and amazing coaches."

Green will be looking to throw to talented receivers while at BYU with Hayden Weichers likely to be one of them. Weichers gave his commitment to Cougar coaches after much contemplation and prayer.

"I'm just so excited right now and it really is a dream come true for me and my family," said the 5-foot-9, 175 prospect following his commit. "I'm a huge BYU fan and always have been, and I can't wait to run out of that tunnel and show my dad and everyone else that I'm finally doing it — I'm finally a Cougar."

Indeed Weichers has promised his father since he can remember that one day he'd one day suit up and run out of the tunnel at LaVell Edwards stadium.

He's now well on his way to achieving that, but will elect to serve an LDS mission before enrolling.

Choosing to serve a mission played a big part in ultimately deciding to commit to the Cougars. Weichers held offers from both BYU and Utah State, but with the Aggie staff indicating they wouldn't hold a scholarship for him if he went on a mission, he broke for the Y.

"I prayed about it a lot and this last Sunday In church I listened to a lesson of the importance to serve a mission, so there was my answer. I needed to serve a mission and I needed to go to BYU," said Weichers. "I love everything about BYU and always have. I always sort of knew that I'd end up committing to BYU since they offered, but I had to make totally sure until I did it."

email: bgurney@desnews.com