Deseret News | Reader comments: BYU already working with some new faces

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BYU already working with some new faces

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SJ Bobkins | 2:24 a.m. Feb. 8, 2008

I have never heard of a guy de-committing to re-commit. He was lost when Ken Norton, Jr., stepped into his parents front door. I wish he had been as honest as Hanani Steven's was when he switched to Oregon saying he had no intention on keeping his BYU commitment.
I know it's politically incorrect but I would love to see more on recruiting Poly kids. BYU thrives on these kids, but it's got to be never racking. Freud said: "In 30 years of study I still cannot answer the simple question, "What does a woman want?". BYU coaches after two straight heartbreaking years losing the top LDS and Polynesian kid in the country must be asking themselves: "What does a young, Polynesian football player WANT?"

bluedart | 7:38 a.m. Feb. 8, 2008

Dick, Brandon Kafusi is committed for 2010 class

P.S. | 7:50 a.m. Feb. 8, 2008

Dick, Bronson Kaufusi is another 2010 commit.

Comments continue below

Commitment | 8:09 a.m. Feb. 8, 2008

Too bad some of our youth are clueless on what giving their word means. If they have no intention of keeping their word, then don't give it. If they feel pressured into making a commitment, then they are most likely not quite mature enough to handle the pressures of D1 football.

Also, it shows a great lack of character to sign with another school, after having committed to a school, without giving the school a courtesy call and letting them know they have changed their mind. Bronco is looking for student-athletes with character and this young man appears to be lacking the needed character he wants at BYU.

After working with youth for 33 years I saw plenty of this lack of standing up to your word. Those students continued to have problems not only in school, but also in their personal lives, because they simply did not understand what a commitment means. It was simply too easy to say yes, when they had no intention of following through or where "hoping" something better came along.

Perhaps student-athletes who commit and then decide to change should loose a year of eligibility. Commitment would have a new meaning.

m. romney | 8:22 a.m. Feb. 8, 2008

the same lack of follow-through occurs at universities (and all aspects of society) even at byu...it's a negative aspect of human nature.

true blue | 8:37 a.m. Feb. 8, 2008

Pete Caroll must have really wanted this kid because he said he would hold his scholarship if he went on a mission. He didn't do that for havili.

Anonymous | 8:49 a.m. Feb. 8, 2008

I think if someone changes their mind about were they commit they should not b allowed to play football.

BYU Steve | 9:00 a.m. Feb. 8, 2008

Backing out of the oral commitment should not come as too big of a surprise since he committed to UCLA before he committed to BYU. On a positive note, I think Pete Carrol said Kaveinga could serve a mission and USC would honor the scholarship when he returned. Maybe that swayed his decision. Any way you look at it though, it's quite a loss for BYU.

oh well.... | 9:47 a.m. Feb. 8, 2008

Yeah, its too bad he didn't keep his commitment, and too bad BYU lost a great player. Hopefully, the kid will serve a mission. If not, he might not have been what BYU was looking for

Dan | 9:59 a.m. Feb. 8, 2008

I know most BYU fans are disappointed in the loss of Kaveinga. He would probably have made BYU a little better team. Being intent on going on a mission is great, but what these young men don't understand is that when BYU is successful in the major sports, it brings more recognition to the Church then if they spent their entire life on a mission. We wish him well, but he could have done more good here.
I also noted Pete's flip-flop(speaking of Romney) on missionary service. Havili sold out cheap. He should go back and get equal treatment.

Integrity First | 10:00 a.m. Feb. 8, 2008

Based on how he handled the recruiting process, I'd say the Cougars are better oof without Kaveinga.

o.c. ron | 9:56 a.m. Feb. 8, 2008

Kaveinga is naive to think that the scholarship will be still be there when he comes back from his mission. Does Carroll really care? Besides, the USC football program is about to take a direct big time hit when the whole Reggis Bush thing comes down. They could loose at least one national championship, future scholarships, etc. And trust me, Carroll will either jump ship to the NFL or get fired. As for Kaveinga, he has shown that his "flavor of the month" actions makes me think it's good he went to SC. He's going to wallow in the depth chart when he gets back. That is, IF he goes on a mission. Another opportunity for him to change his mind. What a waste.

PRC | 10:06 a.m. Feb. 8, 2008

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN A COACH COMMITS TO A ATHLETE THAT HE WILL COACH HIM THROUGHOUT HIS COLLEGE AND THEN BOLTS TO ANOTHER COLLEGE WHEN THE LURE OF MORE MONEY COMES CALLING. THERE IS NO HONOR THERE AS WELL. DON'T GET SO DOWN ON THE KIDS FOR NOT HONORING THEIR COMMITMENTS WHEN THE COACHES WHO RECRUIT THEM DON'T DON'T THINK TWICE ABOUT BOLTING WHEN THE OPPORTUNITY COMES. HONORING YOUR COMMITMENTS SHOULD BE TAUGHT AT HOME. SOME OF THE BLAME SHOULD BE PUT ON THE PARENTS. SOME SAY THAT THE POLY PLAYERS ARE TAUGHT TO RESPECT THEIR ELDERS ANS THAT IS WHY THE COMMIT SO EASILY. I DON'T BUY THAT FOR A SECOND. I DON'T BELIEVE THEY ARE TAUGHT RESPECT AT ALL OR THEY WOULD NOT DISRESPEST THE COACHES THEY FOOL INTO THINKING THEY ARE ON BOARD WHEN THEY ARE LISTENING AND COMMITING TO OTHERS AT HE SAME TIME. AND THEN THERE ARE THE COACHES WHO KNOW THAT A CERTAIN ATHLETE WHO HAS VERBALY COMMITED TO ONE SCHOOL AND THEN TALKS THE KID OUT OF THAT COMMITMENT. WHERE IS TE HONOR IN THAT. QUIT WHINNING COACHES WHEN MOST OF YOU HAVE NO SHAME YOURSELVES!!!

Backing Out | 10:02 a.m. Feb. 8, 2008

We may not like it but sometimes it is what best for the student athlete. Look at Haloti Ngata. He committed to Nebraska. Then to BYU and finally played for Oregon. The end result was number 11 in the draft. Who knows if he would have made it at BYU or Nebraska.

BYU fine at LB | 10:18 a.m. Feb. 8, 2008

BYU's positions that perform at a high level consistently are the linebackers and tight ends. Losing a linebacker recruit is not a big deal. If he were a top cornerback, then I would be disappointed.

BBKing | 10:25 a.m. Feb. 8, 2008

One concern that I have with recruiting is the lack of defensive backs. I know our secondary did incredible work for having 4 walk-ons. From what I have seen we have one corner back from Springville and one safety from a junior college.

Are we really that set in the defensive backfield that we didn't recruit heavier there? Or is it a case where we simply took the best athletes and didn't have any that happened to be DBs.

in any case, if we had a couple of shut down corners, and explosive safeties our defense, already very good, would only be that much better. Have a good corner makes the job of a defensive lineman that much easier. Gives them that extra second or two to pound the quarterback into a pile of goo.

Let's trust they have that worked out but does anyone have insight into this issue?

Mission or Not. | 10:28 a.m. Feb. 8, 2008

I give Kaveinga a 30% chance of going on a mission. He'll probably excel at his position and they need LBs. After a year of all the props he'll be getting and the pressure to stay from coaches and players, he'll be less likely to go IMO.

Too bad.

Ernest T. Bass | 10:48 a.m. Feb. 8, 2008

Why does Coach Bronco continue to recruit kids who've committed elsewhere?
He's talking out of both sides of his mouth and is a walking contradiction when he speaks about commitments.
Stop whining about having recruits poached when Bornco does the exact same thing.

Chances are | 11:10 a.m. Feb. 8, 2008

When a coach recruit a player, any player - he is essentially take a chance on that player. Sometimes the student athlete can't handle D-1 demands, or worse yet, an injury for which the player is not ever the same. I like the coaching staff at BYU, how they can get the most out of their players. But most importantly, the coaches are shaping character of a man. Long after the players careers are over, it is their character and integrity that will last. That will also have an influence on their children, as well as hundreds of young kids that look up to these players. No need to talk of this USC-bound player, we have great ones in the program that will elevate BYU football program, on and off the field.

Cougblue in TF | 11:09 a.m. Feb. 8, 2008

No big deal here. Kids change their minds during their missions. If this kid goes on a mission the odds are that BYU will end up with him anyway. The switch to BYU after a mission happens more often than the other way around. And if he doesn't switch?? Still no big deal. Ben Olson switched from BYU to UCLA and did it hurt BYU??? Nah! I'd rather have Hall.

Not fair | 11:11 a.m. Feb. 8, 2008

Mmm, well uhhhhh, Bronco can recruit players that are already committed because he is BYU's coach!

McKay | 11:22 a.m. Feb. 8, 2008

Good point Mr Bass. It is part of the recruiting game, I'm not upset with Uona at all and wish him the best. I'm dissapointed he won't be at the Y but still hope he does well and is able to achieve his dreams whatever they may be. Nobody here, unless they have been a highly sought after recruit will ever understand the amount of pressure put on these kids and should probably keep our judgements to ourselves.
Go Cougars!!

Kaveinga Who??? | 11:28 a.m. Feb. 8, 2008

The walk-on from Oregon, (who really wants to be here), is going to get Kaveinga's scholly, and by this time next year you won't even remember the name Kaveinga.

Kimdaddy | 11:58 a.m. Feb. 8, 2008

As a BYU fan, I wish we would have gotten Kaveinga. He went back on his word again and signed with USC. It shows a little lack in character, but lets remember that this is an 18 year-old that probably doesn't have a whole lot of life experience. We can only hope that he goes on a mission and that he is very successful there. The real laughable thing pointed out in another article is that Rivals.com dropped BYU 30 spots because of one 4-star recruit. The whole national letter of intent day is for the fans more than the coaches. Who knows who will get the next Alex Smith (#1 NFL draft pick) who was not highly recruited out of high school.

Re: Ernest T. Bass | 11:56 a.m. Feb. 8, 2008

Did you hear Bronco whine about recruits being poached? I've never heard him whine. He only said wants those who WANT to be at BYU- period. If they pick somewhere else, the DON'T WANT to be at BYU- so why would he whine? He wishes them well. You're being dishonest.

McKay | 12:29 p.m. Feb. 8, 2008

Just to clarify, I agree with Mr. Bass that as BYU fans we can't be too upset when a recruit changes his mind even though he may have commited to the Y at some point, because we also benefit from kids changing their minds as well. I don't agree that Bronco has whined about it though, in fact I haven't heard him ever complain or bring it up.

press conference | 1:14 p.m. Feb. 8, 2008

I saw Whittingham in a news conference the other night after LOI day and that was the first time I'd heard him refer to BYU as "the team down south" in public. He kind of did a quick little hesitation/stumble before it came out, like it's something he had to think about saying because he wasn't used to saying that phrase. I think he's attempting to be more like Urban Meyer with hopes he'll finish better than 3rd place. Must be desparate. Good luck Kyle, it ain't gonna happen.

Go Cougs! | 1:51 p.m. Feb. 8, 2008

Offering a scholarship to a committed athlete is like proposing to a married woman. Either way you end up with a scum bag with no integrity.

cougar76 | 2:04 p.m. Feb. 8, 2008

Haloti Ngata traded his mission for #11 in the draft. I remember when he and his mother kept BYU hanging in the wind while they were talking to Oregon. When he switched, he said he still planned on serving a mission. I agree with "Mission or Not." The chances of Kaveinga serving a mission just went way down.

Linebackers | 2:14 p.m. Feb. 8, 2008

The linebacker position is a staple of the mendenhall defense. That is the position that Bronco is personal invested. He will do whatever is needed to fill that position, and those who play the position will be quality. The cougars will be fine. I think that the defensive back position is more important for the cougs right now anyway. Hopefully their recruits can show us something, allow more blitzes and less bend but dont break.

LV Cougarfan | 2:20 p.m. Feb. 8, 2008

For those of you who didn't watch his announcement on FSN: Uona did not want to go to BYU, his parents wanted him to go. You could just see the tension in the air. His decision will turn out good for BYU (who wants a player who really doesn't want to be there?) and hopefully it turns out to be good for him and his family. Good luck Uona with your career at USC.

yomama | 2:40 p.m. Feb. 8, 2008

Who cares? Its his life. Let him make his own decisions. I am sure he will do just fine in life with out having attended BYU.

Football Dreamer | 2:42 p.m. Feb. 8, 2008

Should Kaveinga keep his word and serve a mission, I give a 25% chance of USC holding his scholarship for him, for a number of reasons. Carroll may jump ship, he's getting bored with dominating the conference year after year, and he wants to be an NFL coach again, with the title of GM too, (Me thinks Detroit in two years).
Sarkisian will then become SC's head coach, and BYU will be battling again for Kaveinga. He'll once again choose USC, and then he'll feel bad, mostly for himself, when BYU beats USC for the National Championship. (I know its far fetched, but a guy can dream, can't he?)

Mike Buys | 2:43 p.m. Feb. 8, 2008

Bronco is going to have us near or at the top of the mountain west every year simply because he is by far the best coach. As far as stars this year we did not do very good, but he has his type of players on the roster now and he will run with it, and they will be good again. Kaveinga to me seems very imature. Wait and see what happens when he goes on a mission at USC. Pete Carroll won't even know who he is when he comes back. Kaveinga may end up here anyway. Pete Carroll has an ego a mile wide. Norm Chow couldn't stay there because Carroll was jeolous of his offensive prowess. I would really like to see BYU go independent. We would benefit Nationally in everyway. We would definately play a stronger schedule and benefit greatly in recruiting nationally. We could'nt have a more lousey TV contract than we have now thats for sure. Does anyone out there feel as I do?

Buddy boy | 2:44 p.m. Feb. 8, 2008

I just viewed a statistical evaluation of the BYU Team last year. Out of 22 starters 14 had no stars at the time they were recruited. Amazing. Think what Bronco can do with all the 1,2,3,and four star recruits we got this year. We had an amazing year recruiting. i'm sick of hearing about Kavienga. Let's dwell on what we have not what we don't.

Choice | 2:47 p.m. Feb. 8, 2008

If I had the choice between BYU and USC, there is no way I go to BYU. BYU is mid-major, USC is prime time. And that's just one of the many reasons I wouldn't go to BYU.

mel | 3:57 p.m. Feb. 8, 2008

Choice....you have nothing to worry about. BYU doesnt want you to go there either...

Devan | 4:04 p.m. Feb. 8, 2008

Hey Choice, I am sure you probably didn't have a choice at either school!

Texas Cougar | 4:14 p.m. Feb. 8, 2008

Choice, BYU wouldn't want you anyway, clearly you have issues with BYU. BYU wants players that WANT to be there. I have no problems with Kavienga choosing USC. Good luck to him. I like the players we did get, because they WANT to be there. Things look bright for the future.

Ernest T. Bass | 4:33 p.m. Feb. 8, 2008

I'm being dishonest? Not at all. Read Bronco's comments about the players keeping their commitments. He's made numerous comments in the past three years about expecting byu's commits to have integrity to keep their commitments when the bigger schools come calling. Based on those statements one can naturally assume he will also honor the commitments of kids who are commited elsewhere, but that is not the case at all (Unga just to name one).
Ask Bronco why he's contacted missionaries who've signed with other schools (Stevens-Utep, Binks-Utah and Bergstom-Utah).
The fact is, he's talking out both sides of his mouth and is insincere.

So Cal Cougar | 4:41 p.m. Feb. 8, 2008

Kavienga made the right choice for him. SC is a national powerhouse on TV every week. If he proves his worth in his Frosh year they'll hold a spot for him after his mission.

Enough of the sour grapes. Wish the kid well and be proud of his accomplishments. I hope he becomes an all american and goes pro! If he is that good, he'll have a better chance doing that at SC than BYU.

Sad but true in this BCS world. I'm a big Cougs fan that would love to see top recruits, but great potential athletes like this one need to go where the opportunity is, just like great scholors that happen to be Mormon may pick Harvard - offers more opportunity in the long run.

Good luck Uona and BYU fans stop syaing things like he has 25% chance of going a mission. You have no idea and should even say stuff like that.

#2 Cougar Fan | 4:35 p.m. Feb. 8, 2008

In his "new faces" article Dick Harmon mentioned a kid by the name of Stetson Tinney. His last name is actually spelled Tenney. Some additional information you might find interesting is that Stetson played line both sides of the ball with All State honors, he was a State champion wrestler. Also he turned down offers from Utah State, and NAU, as well as the U of Idaho, to walk on at BYU. He is 6'-5", 295lbs. He is an outstandiny young man and an outstanding athlete. You will be seeing a lot of him.

re: Kaveinga who? | 5:04 p.m. Feb. 8, 2008

Okay no gamer sitting on your stretched out love seat wishing you were back in high school eating mom's meat loaf and dreaming of strapping on the pads. Just let it go! Please from all of us! He's a teenage from Southern Califonia not UTARD! and he wishes to play at BCS contender year in and year out USC. That's awesome. Does he know you? NO! Does he owe anythin to you or BYU? NO! so what's your deal? BYU's calss sucks and they will be just another average team. Good choice KAveinga. Fight on!

Uncle George | 5:00 p.m. Feb. 8, 2008

Uona may have made the right choice for him; but USC will be on probation re the Reggie Bush affair before his eligablity expires. Nevertheless, I wish him the best.

bRONco | 5:04 p.m. Feb. 8, 2008

None of us on this forum know what it is like to have several different car salesmen around us trying to convince us to take their bill of goods. Cut the kid some slack, he is still in high school. I hope he has a standout football career at SC and a great mission. OTOH, BYU will do just fine with the kids they got.

So Cal Cougar | 5:07 p.m. Feb. 8, 2008

Ernest, your piont seems a little petty and it's time to get back to reality.

Bronco HAS to play all the games that happen with recruiting or just end up losing every time. Contacting a kid on/after his mission to see if he wants to simply look at BYU is just an offer to look at the possibility and/or better opportunity. For many, it would be a big step up (over Jr. College, UTEP, Idaho St., Utah) to better football to better academics, to get closer to family, etc. Or for all you know the kid may have originally (or now is) expressed BYU interest, but did not get the opportunity and now may want give it a try.

The general practice may be a bit contradictory, but I think it has to be looked at on a case by case basis. No matter what though, I doubt the practice of looking for player to change schools after a mission (on either side) actually works that well. And even if it does happen, only those that see better opportunities will jump - a choice we all should make when the offers are in front of us.

So Cal Cougar | 5:15 p.m. Feb. 8, 2008

What's awesome here is that, as Bronco predicted, BYU is returning as the powerhouse of the conference that it once was! The recruits are getting better and better each year. U of U now is being blown out of the water on local and LDS players that just a few years ago were opting for red.

Bronco is very smart and looks like he is bringing in quality players by winning and having an extra level of class. As BYU keeps winning, lots of very good LDS recruits from around the country will keep coming even though the MWC will most likley contnue it overall decline.

The other confernce schools, like UofU will be viewed as "just another non-bcs school in a fly over state" and struggle to consistently pull top talent, even locally. Captitalizing on the LDS aspect is key and should help keep the roster full of better atheletes.

ID | 6:13 p.m. Feb. 8, 2008

Don' be so hard on Kaveinga, it's not like he is married to BYU and decided to go out with someone else. He gave a verbal committment and changed his mind. I am sure if any of us were job hunting and what we feel like was a better offer came along we would take it.

BYU is a solid team, they will be fine for their confrence and schedule. Go Cougs....run the MWC table again...

South Scipio Cougfan | 7:07 p.m. Feb. 8, 2008

How can we not wish Kaveinga the best! As I watched him make his choice on so cal tv. Good Kid & had so many nice things to say about BYU ! Has a great family . ( Which all wanted him to be a cougar!) The tough choice was good exposure for the Y. I feel he was honest about his feelings &the love of the coaches ! Who's to say he couldnt change his mind while on his mission ? (re. Ben olson). Not one person has mentioned Bernard Afutiti! WHAT a player . Heard nothing but good about this guy ! I feel we'll be strong at L.B. ! I feel we had a very successful recruiting class ! Can't wait for SPRING GAME ! GO COUGS !!!!!

remember | 7:48 p.m. Feb. 8, 2008

byu isn't losing top recruits to weber state, they are battling the pac-10's elite schools. not bad company. When was the last time utah lost a recruit to a national top 5 school? that's right, they don't even try for them, they just go for the leftovers.

keep fighting cougs, 22-4 over two years, two bowl wins, two top 20 rankings...hmmm something is going right.

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