Deseret News | BYU football: USU QB Nelson transferring to BYU

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BYU football: USU QB Nelson transferring to BYU

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Jeff Hirschi | 9:45 a.m. May 27, 2008

Well QB Nelson was my comp in the mish and i'll tell you that there isnt anyone else who has more dedication then him. That kid has success at everything he does, and I garentee he will through it down for BYU!!

Logan Soft? | 9:48 a.m. May 27, 2008

Anyone that calls this kid a quitter doesn't deserve him on their team. He is one of the gutsiest HS players I have ever seen. USU has not been able to offer him a chance to compete with an outclassed offensive line, remember how bad Colt Brennan was against superior competition? One guy cannot do it at this level. BYU has talent that will allow him to compete. This solidifies even more the next three years of quality QB's at the Team down South, any fellow Ute fan that isn't at least a little concerned hasn't seen him play enough, His mobility in the spread at the U could've been a good fit.

Doubtful | 9:48 a.m. May 27, 2008

Wonder if his mission president would have okayed such communications if it were USU trying to take him away from BYU?

Comments continue below

Be Selfish | 9:48 a.m. May 27, 2008

I'm an Aggie fan through and through and would have loved to see Nelson stay. But if I were in his shoes I would have done the exact thing.

Mis directed energy | 9:50 a.m. May 27, 2008

Too bad the BYU coaches do not seem to look for talent much beyond the Utah state line...Plenty of 6'4 230 lb QB out there, just ready to wear the blue.

Re: WA Cougar | 10:11 a.m. May 27, 2008

"He is a great athlete, but not an elite quarterback. He simply does not have the size or the strength to be successful at the college level."

The exact same thing could be said about

Ty Detmer

All he accomplished during his career at BYU was beating the defending national champions and #1 ranked team, Miami, breaking most of the NCAA career passing records, and winning the Heisman Trophy.

Questionable Ethics | 10:11 a.m. May 27, 2008

I can't help but see this as BYU using the LDS Church (which runs BYU) as a recruiting tool that isn't available to other schools. If a kid is going to serve an LDS mission and get a two year waiver from the NCAA, schools should be prohibited from initiating contact with that athlete while they are on their mission.

I also think the NCAA should change rules to make it so that serving a religious mission (LDS or not) shouldn't be the easy-out of a scholarship commitment. The waiver for religious reasons should only apply to eligibility, not to commitment. Riley *should* be forced to sit out a year of football for transferring schools, as *should* have Ben Olson.

Please! This is great for BYU | 10:12 a.m. May 27, 2008

Mis directed energy,

Yeah, we are really sad about our two latest QB's out of Arizona, and so sad about this pickup of arguably the best QB in the nation if TD's count for anything--oh yeah, they do. Duh!

ProvoCoug | 10:12 a.m. May 27, 2008

Rise and Shout Riley Nelson Wanted Out (as an Aggie). This is great news. I guarantee the Spirit guided him in his decision. Now all of you Aggies fans can have something else to moan and complain about until football season begins. Maybe you can use him as a scapegoat for your pathetic football program. That is if you can even call it a football program. Can't wait to beat you by 50 in Logan this year. To bad JC Carroll never saw the light. Then again it does not matter because BYU has the best basketball program in the state.

Basketkase | 10:14 a.m. May 27, 2008

You guys obviously missed the point in my original post. Let's try again. To the first guy to refute me, I agree that it takes a team effort to make a winning team. That's pretty obvious, right? No one ever doubted that. But to say that one person doesn't make a difference is pure ignorance. Take Kobe off the Lakers this season. They wouldn't have even made the playoffs. I can give similar examples all day. To the second doubter, nice reference with Cael Sanderson, who was a world-class wrestler in high school, but please, since there are so many other athletes who dominated more than Nelson, how about an example. You won't be able to give any. How many other all-Americans has Utah produced on the football field? Heck, in any sport. Shawn Bradley, Garner Meads...and Nelson. Meads didn't shatter the record books, and Bradley only did because he's a freak. Pound for pound, Nelson is the best Utah high school football player in the state's history. Period. And by the way, I was correspondent until I walked away from it, by choice.

Change of Color? | 10:15 a.m. May 27, 2008

I was really looking forward to seeing USU start to climb out of the basement of the WAC when Nelson came home. I am dissapointed, but it is his life. Nelson would have helped this suffering program.
However, he has been gone for a while now on his mission. MAYBE he has been tricked into going to BYU because BYU wears AGGIE BLUE!!! Those Cougars are tricky!

SF Blue | 10:21 a.m. May 27, 2008

As a Cougar fan this is exciting, but I do feel for the Aggies. My wife went to USU and besides the Cougars I root for the Aggies. I hope that the program can back online.

Jaycee Carroll??? | 10:26 a.m. May 27, 2008

He did see the light.

He was 2-1 versus the kitties AND Dave Rose didn't want to play him his senior year!!!

Recruiting Missionaries | 10:26 a.m. May 27, 2008

"It is nice to see that BYU uses the 2 years of missionary service to recruit."

A flat out lie...

Bronco only started communicating with Riley after he found out that Riley was interested in transferring to BYU. Even then, Bronco had the courtesy to get the permission of Riley's mission president before contacting him.

I'm sure UCLA, like most schools, never even considered contacting Ben Olsen's mission president and I'm not even sure Utah St. or Utah would bother.

BYU athletes are constantly being recruited by other schools and BYU would be foolish if they didn't stay in touch with their missionary athletes just to let them know that they still want them coming back to the program.

But, to my knowledge, BYU does not activily recruit missionary athletes from other schools during their missions unless those athletes have expressed an interest in being contacted by BYU.

Academic? | 10:27 a.m. May 27, 2008

Nelson's father is quoted as saying his son's decision to transfer was based on "emotional, academic and athletic perspective", and that utimately the decision to transfer to BYU was best for him. I can understand the athletic angle. I have no idea about the emotional factor. But I don't get at all the academic factor. After returning from a mission for the LDS Church, I twice decided to decline academic scholarships offered by BYU in favor of opportunities at other institutions. I decided to pursue undergraduate studies at Utah State and graduate studies at the University of California. I made those choices based on academic reasons. Although there are those at BYU who quake when the issue is brought up, BYU continues to face perception, especially outside of Utah, that it lacks academic, faculty, and student body diversity. That ultimately affects that insitution's "academic" picture. Sure, that perception may be somewhat unfair, and the admission standards for BYU remain high, but some have chosen to pursue their academic training elsewhere, including Utah State, for the very reasons BYU gets it academic knocks. The decision NOT to attend BYU was a good academic and professional decision for me.

Re: ProvoCoug | 10:28 a.m. May 27, 2008

Pride cometh before the fall. JC Carroll did see the light, thats why he came to Logan. And if you want to call BYU the best basketball program in the state, try again. I guess we will find out this year because BYU actually had the guts to schedule the Aggies. They probably wouldnt have if they knew Plaisted was leaving. Too bad, I call for a butt whooping at the ESA ... by the Aggies that is.

Wishing Nelson the best | 10:36 a.m. May 27, 2008

All the best to USU. It isn't fun to lose a player. BYU has lost its share. But that is the name of the game. If I were Nelson I would have gone to USU before the mission because of where BYU's program was at, and the log jam at QB. He got valuable playing time at USU. After, I would consider just as he did, whether I wanted to play for a winning program or for a losing one. And he will likely get playing time at BYU under the current circumstances. Seeing how Nelson would have likely chosen BYU before his mission if he would have seen playing time, this isn't an illogical choice.

BYU followed the rules and its program now offers Nelson what he is looking for. That's it! Missionaries are encouraged to plan for their best futures after their missions, and their is no foul in that. If USU or anywhere else is a better fit for a BYU player to leave to after his mission, that will always smart a little, but BYU is running a program where we will retain players who want to play Bronco-style football. We aren't missing Ben Olsen!

Re: Questionable Ethics | 10:41 a.m. May 27, 2008

The only thing questionable is your logic.

LDS missionaries are fair game for ANY school to recruit after they've been away from their school for 18 months.

Please explain how this is a recruiting advantage for BYU?

Why should any school be prohibited from initiating contact with any available athlete, period?

And why should a missionary athlete be forced to sit out a year after his mission, since after 18 months he is officially released from his letter of intent and is free to sign with any team he chooses?

Why punish an athlete for serving a religious mission?

The same rules that apply to missionary service, also apply to athletes who are called away for military service.

AggieBlue | 10:46 a.m. May 27, 2008

I am disappointed Riley is leaving USU. He brought some excitement to Aggie football fans. Thanks for the Fresno St. game. I wish you the best in the future.

As for ProvoCoug and some other BYU fans, your "holier than thou" attitude is the reason people do not like BYU athletics. It sounds like you need to listen more when you are at church.

I am a true Aggie fan. I will always cheer for them no matter how many games they win or lose. Go Aggies!!!

BYU Recruiting? | 10:45 a.m. May 27, 2008

I seriously doubt that BYU recruited Riley on his mission. My guess is that BYU left the door open for him before he left and that for reasons only Riley knows, he has made this decision, which was no doubt very difficult and wrenching for him. I am a Y fan, but I love USU and the Aggies as well. I sincerely hope they turn things around there.

I also imagine that he WAS being written all the time by Utah State to determine what his plans were, and that this was a big distraction for him. I believe he consulted with his father and others he loved, including the mission president, and felt that this needed to be done now so he could concentrate on his mission.

I felt bad when Olsen left, and I know Aggie fans feel the same way about losing Riley, who by all accounts is a class guy and an unbelievable competitor. I understand Olsen's reasons for leaving, and I also understand Riley's reasons. We can second guess or disagree about whether it was the right thing to do, but at the end of the day, it is the athlete's decision.

Come on DNEWS | 10:48 a.m. May 27, 2008

Put all the comments on. You lets the kitty faithful slam the aggies, but refuse to put something on here that questions the loyalty and commitment of Riley?? He committed to USU for FOUR year and he committed to a mission for 2. Seems he's having trouble on both ends. I love it when we see these athletes go on a mission and spend their time working everything out.

Stay home, be a good guy, and play football. Just honor ALL your commitments. It's our whole society. Maybe USU was like a "starter marriage" for Riley!!!

Sports Fan | 10:50 a.m. May 27, 2008

I hope he does not turn into the next Gary Furness, the Aggies Basketball player that transphered after returning from his mission and seldom played he was also Recruited while on his mission an advantage that only BYU can enjoy.

I think this will become the new Jaycee Carrol rule BYU can't afford to have am RM excell for another school, better to have him sit on the bench.

WHY B U? | 10:54 a.m. May 27, 2008

Yeah, I don't think the mission president would have allowed him to email any other schools...Most missions have a "one-email per week rule" that I guess doesn't apply to the kitties or their potential recruits

Stunned | 10:58 a.m. May 27, 2008

I think it's sad that people are complaining about BYU's recruiting tactics. No one knows the details. His dad couldn't even give a lot of details about the decision.
I guess if you're looking for faults in others you'll find them, real or perceived. (Most of them are perceived.) Too many people take these rivalries too far, and start making it personal. Austin Collie says he was blessed for trying to do what's right on and off the field and Ute fan takes that personally as meaning that Utes aren't doing what is right. Please, if you need something to motivate you, look at what's happened on the field the last two years.
Finally, this decision by Nelson will take 4 or 5 years to really show if it even matters.

"Time wounds all heals"

Alex Trebek | 10:59 a.m. May 27, 2008

RE: Doubtful

There's no need to wonder. It's not likely a student athlete were to transfer from BYU to USU for athletic reasons, and even if he did he probably wasn't that good to begin with so it wouldn't be very newsworthy.

RE: Academic?

Nobody cares about your "academic" decision. This article is about Riley Nelson and his decision. The reason your decision wasn't put in the newspaper is because you can't toss the pig-skin around. So, again, no one cares about your decision to go to USU and Cal. Good for you! Riley Nelson sees it differently and wants to win as a football player, who can blame him?

Re: Basketkase | 11:02 a.m. May 27, 2008

"How many other all-Americans has Utah produced on the football field?"

ummm, Jim McMahon

--arguably one of the best quarterbacks, if not the best quarterback, among all of the outstanding quarterbacks that have played for BYU

--would have broken the record for breaking the most NCAA records if there had been such a record (he broke something like 47 NCAA records his junior year)

--should have won the Heisman Trophy

--did lead the Chicago Bears to a Super Bowl Championship

I'm hoping Riley Nelson will be an outstanding quarterback at BYU, but until he proves it on the field, he remains in the Ben Olsen category -- great potential, but unrealized success.

I Transferred But Who Cares | 11:04 a.m. May 27, 2008

I started my education at BYU. I liked some aspects of it and did very well but all in all I preferred a few hours a week of institute rather than six per day (all my classes seemed to have an aspect of Sunday School in the lectures). I tranferred to Utah State and loved it. I met some great (and great looking) LDS girls even though I was warned they did not exist outside the borders of Utah County. I got good grades and went to the top law program in the nation in my chosen specialty. I made these choices for me and my future and it worked out well - and sadly not one of you cared or posted a single word in protest!!! Why can't we just enjoy college athletics and athletes and stop putting it on some pedestal that it does not deserve to be on. Nelson and Olson (and others) made the choices they made for some of the same reasons I did. For those of you who can't see that you really need to get a grip on reality!!

USU SOUR GRAPES | 11:08 a.m. May 27, 2008

Riley chose to play for the Aggies for one reason, and one reason only before his mission? ....He wanted to gain experience playing for the best JV team in the state... before he returned from his mission and played QB for BYU!

Gunga Din | 11:13 a.m. May 27, 2008

I'm 5'10" (barely) and he's maybe an inch taller than me. BYU told him in early recruiting he was too small. Now all of a sudden he is 6'1" (nope) and just the right size? Whatever.

Given all of that...he is as smart as they come and his arm is better than people think. He makes good decisions and makes plays. He benefitted in the system he played in but he transcended the system. He doesn't need a cannon arm for Anai's system, but he does need smarts and he has that by the bushelful.

I'm a huge Aggie fan and I hate that he went to BYU but I don't blame him. Where football is concerned, that athletic department is as inept as they come. It's like turning the keys to the kingdom over to Homer Simpson and Peter Griffin. Were it not for Stew Morrill I'm sure the Bball program would be in similar disarray. Hacks.

A great player will get noticed wherever he plays, that is true, but why blame the kid if he can play somewhere that has real football and a chance at winning more than a couple of games?

Re:Provo Coug | 11:14 a.m. May 27, 2008

And I'm sure the spirit guided him 2 years ago to go to Utha State. Give me a break.

recruiting | 11:16 a.m. May 27, 2008

Let's make this one thing clear:

BYU does not have a recruiting advantage when it comes to LDS missionaries. They do not seek out D-1 football players who are serving missions, and are not privy to any "special list" that these elders would supposedly be on. If they are contacted by the missionary (which in this case they were), then the coaches take a look at him and decide whether or not he is someone who would fit their program. If he is and they believe it is the right fit they contact the Mission President to make sure that their communication with the elder is ok. After receiving permission then they contact the elder, not before.

So, I understand all the bitterness that comes along with this transfer (as us Coug fans went through it with Ben Olsen), but get your facts straight before you spout off on something you know very little or nothing about.

Sharon | 11:18 a.m. May 27, 2008

Great! Now we get to watch another player from Utah play mid-major teams in a medicore conference.

A few points | 11:23 a.m. May 27, 2008

When Riley Nelson's mission president was called, he was working as a vice-president at BYU. Of course he is going to allow him to correspond with BYU about playing there and probably advise him to go there. I wonder if he would have if it weren't to BYU--or someone who was considering transferring from BYU to USU.

BYU does not need Nelson. USU does. He has a much better chance of having a great career at USU and becoming a legend for generations at USU.

I am disappointed that BYU would recruit someone or even offer a scholarship to someone who had COMMITTED to USU (or anywhere) regardless of where the interest began. I thought commitment was important to Mendenhall.

I know that BYU students and alumni have a very high opinion of themselves and their school, but it is not widely shared. Most view BYU as they do Oral Roberts University. As a doctoral student at a Big Ten university, I was so grateful that I had gone to USU and not BYU. USU is much more respected. There are many of us who choose to go to other schools who could have taken your slot at BYU.

VA Cougar | 11:26 a.m. May 27, 2008

It's not about commitment or religion. It's about position. Take it from Steve Spurrier:

"Quarterbacks transfer," Spurrier said. "You sign three or four quarterbacks. Maybe there's a better opportunity for those players to go play somewhere else. That's what they should do."

Max Hall and Ben Olson know this. QB's change schools- that is just how it goes.

Re:Re:Basketkase | 11:30 a.m. May 27, 2008

For someone who professes to know alot about Utah athletics you are clueless. Stanley Havilli has been at USC for two years and already has two Rose Bowl rings as a starter. Rileys' choices out of high school was Snow, Utah State, Dixie. Nothing against Riley but don't you dare put him above so many great athletes that have come out of this state.

To all the haters: | 11:46 a.m. May 27, 2008

Not everyone who cheers for the Y assigned any blame to Ben Olsen when he transferrred to UCLA. Many fans, myself included, understood his reasons. The Cougar program was struggling under Crowton at the time and it must have looked like the right decision then. Besides, BYU got along just fine with Beck and Hall. So these blanket accusations of hypocrisy are nothing more than prejudiced stereotypes. And all these suggestions that Bronco "went after" Nelson while serving his mission are bogus. This kid expressed interest in transferring BEFORE coaches from the Y began any dialog with him, and then only after receiving permission from his mission president. So get off your high hater horses and quit passing judgment (its funny how most Cougar haters accuse us of being the judgmental "holier than thou" ones).

And to Aggie fans: I know how hard a blow this must be. I hope no Cougar fans try to rub it in and taunt you. We went through this with Ben Olsen and know how it feels so we can and should be empathetic. And who knows, it may be a blessing in disguise like it was with Olsen.

magnus | 11:53 a.m. May 27, 2008

As an Aggie fan I am dissapointed to see Riley leaving the program. I lived in Logan while he was playing at Logan High and I saw him work and knew that he could flat play. He was totally overlooked out of high school and I was super exited when he decided to stay and play for the Aggies. Oh, well hopefully the aggies can find another answer at quarterback.

As far as the BYU recruiting of missionaries goes I reiterate two important points:

1) Of course BYU uses their affiliation with the LDS church to gain a recruiting advantage with LDS players. Why wouldn't they? To say that is somehow unfair or improper is just sour grapes.

2) From first hand experience, I can tell you nearly every college athelete who puts their education and athletics on hold to serve a mission is going to have contact from coaches and recruiters in some form on their mission. Depending on when the Missionary is to return home in relation to the start of their athletic season and the NCAA signing rules it is often necessary to address the issue while still serving. Usually it is not a problem.

kap | 11:57 a.m. May 27, 2008

i certainly remember a previous qb that was 6'0 from Texas that excelled, as well as a very mobile "young" qb from back in the day. I guess we will just have to find out in 2010 if he is the real deal.

Nope | 11:59 a.m. May 27, 2008

>Wonder if his mission president would have okayed such communications if it were USU trying to take him away from BYU?

Of course not. Why would he give the devil equal time? :)

bombadil | 12:04 p.m. May 27, 2008

It is interesting that several years ago, Patrick Kinehan led a round table discussion with four newly hired coaches in the state, namely: Bronco, Kyle, Ron and B. Guy. Interestingly, they agreed on most everything until the subject of recruiting kids on missions came up. Three of the four thought this was taboo, Guy being the one who thought they were fair game. McBride and Edwards apparently had a gentleman's agreement that they wouldn't go after each others currently serving missionaires. I find it interesting that Bronco agreed that it shouldn't be done (I guess unless it is a good quarterback) I'm guessing we will here some generic platitudes in his familiar monotone about his lack of involvement in this process. The bottom line, he allowed something to happen that he stated he didn't think was right. He would be the first to tell you the buck stops with him from a program standpoint. We generally call this hypocrisy. In interest of disclosure I am a Utah man, the sad part is the kid will probably never play as a coug. Utah State needed him far worse than the insurance policy he represents to BYU.

Can't you kids read? | 12:09 p.m. May 27, 2008

Okay, it doesn't say anywhere that he was getting e-mailed all the time by recruiters, or that he was getting e-mailed by BYU regularly, or even that BYU initiated the contact.

It is quick possible (in fact probable) that this kid or his family contacted BYU and informed the program of his intention to transfer, and that BYU simply participated in the basic communication required to confirm it, etc.

There is a story in the transfer, but no story at all in the fact that there was contact (likely minimal) with the kid during his mission.

Anonymous | 12:09 p.m. May 27, 2008

To the "RIGHTEOUS FLAG" comment, it's very interesting how informed individuals proclaim to be concerning all the details and facts around others life decesions. For the record Riley is an awsome missionary, he has not let personal future plans interupte his work. So enough with all the selfrighteous dogma. You do not know anything other then your selfendulgent imaginations. Only God knows the thoughts and desires of someones heart, not you.

article about | 12:13 p.m. May 27, 2008

I thought the article was about him transferring, do we really need to know he had permission from his mission president to speak with the team. Come Harmon focus on the story.

Vinman | 12:22 p.m. May 27, 2008

He should have stayed in Logan because by the time he gets back Guy and his run oriented offense will be gone and maybe someone like John L Smith will be at the helm (yes, I said John L Smith) The funny thing is that Riley's legs has always been his ace in the hole. Is BYU suddenly going to become an option team? I doubt it. Utah would have probably been a better fit for his tools.

Re: recruiting | 12:24 p.m. May 27, 2008

Because you say so, we are supposed to believe you. I think I'll start all my statements with "Lets get this straight". That will make it true!.

Re: A few points | 12:26 p.m. May 27, 2008

And you base all of your assumptions about the recruiting of Riley Nelson on personal knowledge, or nothing more than your own personal bias.

I seriously doubt you've had any contact whatsoever with anybody involved in the whole decision-making process, yet you throw out accusations as if you KNOW what really occurred.

As for USU better preparing you for your doctoral studies, your opinion of the superiority/inferiority of either school's academic excellence is baseless.

I personally know one of the world's leading scientistists in his field; a man who has published over a hundred articles in scientific journals and has several U.S. patents; a man who was recently made a Fellow at one of the top research facilities in the world; who got his bachelor's degree at BYU.

There are thousands and thousands of other examples of BYU graduates who have gone on to achieve great success in their chosen fields.

Anonymous | 12:27 p.m. May 27, 2008

I wonder if USU atletic director Scott Barnes knew about Riley's intentions when he mentioned that Utah State may stop scheduling BYU in football since BYU only signs 3 year contracts with USU, with 2 games in Provo for every game in Logan. He made those scheduling comments just a few days ago in Logan in a meeting with USU fans. How bad would that make the USU athletic department look to watch Riley carve up his Aggies, especially in Romney Stadium. Nevertheless, the blame should be thrown on Randy Spetman, since he is "The Great Athletic Director" sought after by FSU, who unwittingly signed to play BYU two for one! I would love to see BYU try to pull off a two for one with Florida State now that Spetman is there! It makes absolutely no sense for USU to play BYU in that scenario. USU would be better off playing any other Mountain West school besides BYU in home and home series. Not to mention Utah, a university that should be respected for playing a home and home series with the Aggies. I love the Aggies but this is a huge loss and Guy is in trouble!

Attn Critics | 12:27 p.m. May 27, 2008

To all those that are critical of BYU recruiting Riley while he's on his mission: How do we know Riley didn't initiate the whole thing? With the sad condition that is Utah State football and the recent dominance of BYU, he probably sent a letter to Bronco asking to come play. I would have. So stop being typical anti-BYU people, if the kid was going to your school, you'd be happy and you know it. So get the facts or keep quiet.

BYU No Better | 12:30 p.m. May 27, 2008

I have no problem with BYU recruiting Nelson while on his mission. However, I have a big problem with BYU portraying itself as having higher standards than other schools then behaving like this. BYU is about winning at all costs just like most other Division I schools. Just stop putting on a holy than though front and then recruiting kids committed to other schools on their missions. That is about as dirty of recruiting as there is.

6'1 sure | 12:32 p.m. May 27, 2008

look at the picture the guys a midget.

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