Deseret News | Reader comments: BYU football: Another missionary switches to play for Y.

Reader comments
BYU football: Another missionary switches to play for Y.

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FormerYLoyalist | 12:51 a.m. May 30, 2008

The Riley Nelson fiasco smelled bad, this makes it smell worse. Notice the fishy made-for-the-press timeline and the timing of the press release. Is this supposed to make Bronco look good? NOT

MormonAggie | 12:57 a.m. May 30, 2008

Totally agree with FormerYLoyalist. I never liked Bronco anyways, but this is downright scummy. He oughta just let the missionaries serve their purpose in the field. If other schools want to play the dirty game of recruiting missionarires, oh well, but Mendenhall is disgracing BYU each new day.

What came first ??? | 1:01 a.m. May 30, 2008

BYU contacting missionaries or missionaries / family contacting BYU. It was evident with Nelsen and Malosi that their "camp" initiated contact first. Bronco has held to his word to leave missionaries alone unless contacted by them. Sorry utes and aggies - I know it hurts to see BYU win and now get second chances at recruits they may have missed the first time around, but you can't blame the Cougs -- anyone who is responsible for a program and winning would make the same decisions - totally within the rules and in compliance with the guidelines Bronco set up his first year as HC.
Here's to Manti joining the Cougars next year and Levi after that!!!!!!

Comments continue below

What? | 1:01 a.m. May 30, 2008

How does this "fiasco smell bad"? The only thing that smells bad around here is your assertion that you were once a "Y loyalist". If you bothered to read the article you would have noticed that it was the athlete and his parents that pursued BYU, not the other way around. Some people, regardless of facts, are intent on remaining in ignorance.

FormerYLoyalist? Yea, right | 1:02 a.m. May 30, 2008

More like: Bitter ute fan who has had a really bad two years.

Glad to have another Teo in the field. That family may be the 2000's version of the Atuaia clan.

Sour Grapes | 1:08 a.m. May 30, 2008

To FormerYloyalist...PLEASE! Now what are you..REALLY!!! And to Mormon AGGIE. My daughter goes to USU and she thinks Riley did the smart thing. What, a college career with one of the worst teams in the country maybe winning a few games a year in a very weak conference or play for a prennial top 20 team that gets national exposure. If you think there is even a slight comparison you'd better check what they putting in the ice cream these days. GO HUSKERS!

YLoyalist.... | 1:49 a.m. May 30, 2008

Let the Yewt whining begin!!!!

Yes! I love the off seasons when BYU owns Utah.

By the way there are very few Utah fans left. Only BYU haters...

From Norway | 1:50 a.m. May 30, 2008

It appears fashionable to be skeptical to this whole recruiting thing. To everyone who thinks Mendenhall is pulling a fast one, I say shut up. The only facts you have are what's been reported. Besides, what is so strange about a good program attracting athletes? It's a good time to be a fan of BYU football again, but obviously it brings with it a healthy amount of venom and skepticism from the in-state rivals. Too bad! Deal with it!

19ute13 | 4:14 a.m. May 30, 2008

Top 20 team every year huh? How is that Vegas bowl treating you zoobies???

Cougar Pride | 5:13 a.m. May 30, 2008

Go Cougs!

liberal Larry | 6:05 a.m. May 30, 2008

I seem to recall, a few years ago, when a certain, Ben Olson, jumped ship during his mission. It seems BYU fans where apoplectic, and couldn't believe how someone could "break his word" and not, at least, be cast out into the outer darkness. But now, such behavior, is seen as almost virtuous! Very interesting.

David | 6:39 a.m. May 30, 2008

Bottom line-- If BYU had finsihed the last two seasons with 4-8 records, no one would notice,
when these two kids changed thier minds. The
controversy is a sure sign BYU is back on track

Make no mistake | 6:39 a.m. May 30, 2008

The family said,

"Make no mistake about it. They didn't come out and talk about it to us. We sent an innocent e-mail to them first and never expected a response at all. Now that this has happened, we feel very blessed he received an offer."

See, this is not a made up quote made by specious fans of other football programs, this is an honest-to-goodness quote from the family. Complain, whine, moan, the kid (who is 19-20 years old) changed his mind. I wasn't happy when Olson left, but he made the decision based on what he felt was best. As does the program. How well your college football team does has no bearing on your eternal salvation.

Re:Sour Grapes | 6:45 a.m. May 30, 2008

So because your daughter says she thinks Riley did the smart thing, it's all good. Strange brew!

Jim | 6:48 a.m. May 30, 2008

You people who find wrong in what has happened with these two athletes amaze me to no end. If BYU was losing, you would be paying no attention. In fact, you have paid no attention while missionaries, for many years now, have switched allegiances while on their mission. Many have NOT come back to BYU despite having signed to play in Provo. And some in the unknowing sports talk and sports writing world are sucked in to thinking something illegal has been done. You need to calm down, see the bigger picture, and recognize the truth. The truth is that, at the moment, BYU is a good place to be, especially for an LDS football player. In time, things will probably change as they always do. When they change, you can once again ignore reports of athletes changing their minds while serving a mission.

No big deal | 6:48 a.m. May 30, 2008

This really isn't a big deal, this kid had zero ties to UNLV, unlike Riley at USU. The only part of the article I thought was strange was how careful the author was about explaining who made the initial contact. He was trying way too hard to make BYU look innocent. Give it up, we all know BYU is no different than any other school in the country.

NCAA Moral? | 6:53 a.m. May 30, 2008

There is nothing ethical or moral about the NCAA rules. Their rules are to protect their assets. They don't want their best football players snapped up by the pros. They also don't want to have to pay more than the paltry scholarships they offer. So, who cares if Bronco contacted the players first or whatever. The change in these players choices has more to do with BYU's great football season than what they are doing as missionaries. And if an individual can get a better deal at BYU, i.e. more exposure, more playing time, then they would be stupid to not jump at the opportunity.

G | 6:55 a.m. May 30, 2008

Look Larry, this has been rehashed several times, but a few distinguishing thing about what Olson did:

He stated in the press that he was coming back to BYU. Nelson and Te'o made no such public promises.

Olson waited until he was home to inform BYU of a decision that he and his family had made long before he was home. Now, I realize that Crowton's 'resigning' near the time of his arrival may have have had something to do with it, but by promising to come home all along, Olson left BYU high and dry to QBS. Nelson and Te'o are giving more than enough notice for USU and UNLV to recruit accordingly to fill the voids they're leaving in their positions.

Disappointed Cougar | 7:01 a.m. May 30, 2008

During my mission, my companion (a well known college athlete) was being recruited and it really interfered with our work. For months, that is all he talked about and thought about. Even with investigators, he would talk about his options and would ask them what he should do. The most important part of being on a mission is to preach the gospel, but this recruiting issue really interferes with that. The Y should know better. I am really disappointed.

just a word | 7:07 a.m. May 30, 2008

For Liberal Larry:

There was nothing dishonorable about Ben Olsen leaving BYU for UCLA. I know the guy and he had every right to go where he believed was the best place for him. We do live in America where you are allowed to change your mind. Conversation ended.

committment and loyalty | 7:08 a.m. May 30, 2008

It is a good thing Bronco is teaching these young men to honor their committments. Why is BYU spending time recruiting missionaries? Shouldn't BYU let these young men spend their two years focused on service and not interfere by recruiting them.

Give me a break | 7:11 a.m. May 30, 2008

I really have to laugh at a lot of these comments. Is your life that dull that you have to worry about every little thing that goes on at BYU. Why does everything that happens at BYU have to be part of some ccnspiricy theory. Two people changed their minds. It happened, happens, and will happen in the future. Sometimes it will work the way it has this week and sometimes it will happened the opposite way. So take a deep breath and get over these idiotic conspiricy theories!!

Hypocrites... | 7:18 a.m. May 30, 2008

Why is it so surprising to people that BYU's football coaches are any different than their counterparts?

The only difference is that they pretend to have higher standards.

Get over it people, and stop drinking the "we live by a higher standard" Kool-aid that the current coaching staff is providing.

I see no problem with what the BYU coaches are doing. The only problem is the BYU fans that are delusional to think that they are, in some weird sense, angelic in their approach. Thankfully, many BYU fans are not this delusional.

Hooray! | 7:19 a.m. May 30, 2008

I never thought I'd ever say this, but this was actually a good bit of reporting by Harmon. Thanks for clarifying what Call reported a while back and showing Bronco is not a hypocrite! These kids get on their missions, and for some, BYU happens to be the right place, and in Te'o's case, there finally was a scholarship.
Whine all you want, Utah fans, but I am sure there will be some missionaries that want to come to your place too, that is, if BYU doesn't get them first!
My condolences to USU in this whole matter. It must really stink to lose a native son to Provo, but that's life. Hope you get better somehow...

I changed my mind | 7:25 a.m. May 30, 2008

while serving a mission too. I was going to go to Utah State with all of my friends. It's not an uncommon thing to do.

I hope Bronco continues to allow missionaries who are good enough to have football scholarships, the opportunity to play for and attend BYU.

For all those Ute fans and Aggie fans who need reasons to hate BYU, add this to the list. If it weren't this, you would surely find/invent something else.

Keep whinning boys! Life is gooooood!!!!!

Timeline = Manti's Rise | 7:25 a.m. May 30, 2008

It took a while for BYU to get back to Malosi, because this scholarship offer was given ONLY because of the relationship to MANTI.

This is a TWO for ONE offer, with the hope that it is enticing enough to land Manti.

And yes, I have an insiders scoop on this one.

dfarmer | 7:30 a.m. May 30, 2008

IF BYU keeps recruiting missionaries away from other schools, are non-LDS schools going to want to recruit LDS athletes?

What coach is going to invest precious recruiting dollars on an athlete, knowing he may go on a mission and have the Y and his mission president recruit him.

If this keeps up, every LDS athlete, regardless of desire to play for the "Y" is going to carry a stigma becasue of his religion and is going to find it hard to get recruited to other schools. And for those athletes who have no interest in the Y, its all the more sad, because even though they may never play for the Y, the fact that they are LDS may hurt their chance to play at another school, because coaches will assume LDS and BYU are synononomous and will pass the kid by.

Remember one thing | 7:33 a.m. May 30, 2008

There is one thing to remember here it is that the families contacted Bronco about thier son, and like any good coach he got thier permission to communicate with them while on thier mission. But I would be willing to bet that the two of them waited all of one week to make the choice to switch.

So Utah and USU fans go cry in your corner, but remember Harline and Collie are still open.

BSU fan | 7:39 a.m. May 30, 2008

To all you BYU fans, your self-righteousness if funny. You can't admit your program ever does anything unethical. Oh and one more thing, I don't think any of your rivals are scared about your recent UNLV and Aggie pickups. Can't wait to smack BYU around again.

To all ute fans | 7:44 a.m. May 30, 2008

To all ute fans who disrepect the Vegas Bowl: If you were good enough to get to the vegas bowl, you'd be bragging about it instead of having to go to the also ran bowls that the utes always have to settle for or better yet have to hope they get invited to.

Phillycoug | 7:46 a.m. May 30, 2008

Since my opinion is really only worth about the rest of yours, I'll share it anyway. Regardless of who talked to who first, and what Bronco said two or three years ago, the program is in the right direction again, I doubt that anyone can dispute that. All of you that don't like Bronco can stay that way, we don't really care. You talk about embarassment, but look at what we are complaining about now compared to five years ago with rape accusations, robberies, etc., etc., etc.

re:19yewt13 | 7:50 a.m. May 30, 2008

You make an excellent point, the Vegas bowl is nowhere close to what we deserve, but we are stuck there for the time being. Regardless of where we are at, you guys are still in our shadow hoping to one day be in our spot, Vegas bowl and all.

Winning Is as Winning Does | 7:51 a.m. May 30, 2008

Isn't it great what consecutive winning program seasons will do for you! Great to see the Bronco bursting out of the chute. Bronco has really turned this program around, much to the chagrin of all naysayers. Just read the posts that precede and follow this one. You either love him or hate him. That is a sign the program is turning the corner. I say keep pressing the advantage. It would be great if BYU added that killer instinct to their "do the right things on and off the field" mantra. It all still comes down to a great deal of hard work and great conditioning, but if you stay focused and go after it, we could be seeing even greater times ahead for the Cougars. Go blue.

Coach C -Red herring | 7:55 a.m. May 30, 2008

A Red Herring is used by lawyers, business moguls and ex-wives as a means to detract from the real issues at hand. While you chase one issue, the truth is distorted.

These boards and sports talk radio, while at times fun, are full of posts and spats that move away from the real issues.

1. BYU did not recruit either of these missionaries while on their missions.
2. First contact was made by the student/athlete, not BYU.
3. BYU and Bronco remain honorable, in spite of the sanctimonious rantings to the contrary.
4. BYU will never do right in the eyes of its detractors who will always find fault.

Anonymous | 7:55 a.m. May 30, 2008

Good thing Bronco has mom, dad and dick on the job to issue such carefully worded statements to protect his reputation.

Sheeps clothing? | 7:55 a.m. May 30, 2008

Do these posters think we are all stupid? How easy it is for a some one to CLAIM to be a RM/or disappointed cougar fan and snuggle up to the keyboard to create some entertainment.

It would not surprise me if 20 or 30 LDS kids switched schools and transferred to BYU. Given the timeline and events over the past few years, I am sure lots of players are taking another look at the cougars. And why not, after all, they have raised the bar!!!

recruiting | 7:58 a.m. May 30, 2008

Let's talk BYU...it was them that did not want Riley coming out of high school or Teo...but if you have you ever had a kid recruited by the coug's. First they tell you they are looking at someone else and if they don't sign we might have a scholorship..second if you are LDS they offer you a walk on with no money and the chance to earn one...then when you go some where else and do well..they start to talk to other people to see if you have an interest and have you tell them to have your kid call them because they can not contact them...we have been through it..luckily our child never changed schools, got a great education, made many friends and could look in the mirror the next day and say I made a decision and I will stick to it and the Y made a mistake and they can pay for it...so you parents and kids be ready for that speech..There is honor on both sides not just the Cougars.

If any of you read the news!! | 8:00 a.m. May 30, 2008

If any of you BYU/Bronco haters read the news and keep up with what is going on.... This particular story broke months ago. In the first story, it talked about how the family contacted BYU and told them of their sons interest, and then how BYU sent the scholarship to the parents (not the missionary). At the time, the father had struggled with how and when to tell his son.

This is not new news, and it only shows that Bronco was true to his word.

All you BYU haters - Get over yourselves. This attempt to try and paint Bronco as an eval, unethical person is not going to work. Fans who say they are no longer fans because of this, we all no that you are an imposter anyway. NO BYU fan cares about what has happened, and no BYU fan is turning on Bronco.

Current BYU Loyalist | 8:01 a.m. May 30, 2008

I had the "privilege" of attending a small school on a football scholarship. I'd mention some of the things I saw happen there, but I doubt they could pass censorship. My experience at BYU was not like the previous one. I'm really tired of the BYU hypocrite baloney. Yes, BYU fans were upset when Ben Olson left. Is there another school anywhere that wouldn't have been upset to lose a top recruit? I think you BYU haters are pretty desperate when the best you can come up with is this. "Bronco recruited a missionary that expressed interest in his progrm." For shame!!!!! Intelligent people can look pretty stupid when it comes to blind hatred and prejudice. No BYU student or alumni expresses that they, the institution, or the football program is perfect. Most affiliated with the university at least try to be decent people. (p.s. Who isn't a hypocrite? We're all human.)

Bronco | 8:01 a.m. May 30, 2008

It's not what Bronco does that bothers us...it's his 'holier than thou' attitude about his righteous living that does.

Re: To All Ute Fans | 8:03 a.m. May 30, 2008

Utah played in the Vegas Bowl. They beat USC that time. One of many bowl victories for Utah.

Y Grad / Y Dad | 8:04 a.m. May 30, 2008

Can we please use our collective heads for something other than long-term storage of outdated vendettas? Think for a moment: how does a college football coach FIND a missionary to recruit him?

Seems to me he's got to go first either through a parent or a mission president or both. Much more likely that the parent initiates the contact.

Those of you who served missions, really, how much junk mail did you receive, unsolicited? Nobody talked with my son until I initiated the first contact on his behalf.

Haters | 8:09 a.m. May 30, 2008

To all the haters:
Yes, we are righteous. We are better. We do hold ourselves to higher standards. We are awesome, we know it and we know that you know it. Most importantly,we LOVE rubbing your faces in it. See you on the field this fall. Yeee-haaa!

Provo, BYU and the Bronco | 8:14 a.m. May 30, 2008

Bronco would never contact anyone on their mission, why of course not. BYU would also never recruit less than stellar athlete/students (in that order) to compete, not true, just look at Crowton. Now Bronco has thrown everyone another curveball and has taken to recruiting missionaries, very sad day for the LDS church. When the church and its BYU fans place football above church they have crossed the line. Bronco has chosen not to take the high road and instead of "hey, you are on a mission, stay focused and we will talk when you get back" he has taken the (whether he calls them or not) yeah I guess their LDS mission experience is not so important that it cant be distracted approach. BYU is a diminishing institution for these very reasons. The collegiate ranks look at BYU as nothing more than a group of close minded hypocrites, which is proving true. As BYU continues its downward spiral it will be interesting to see how long the "real" church center in SLC continues to allow gross disdain for the spiritual aspect of the LDS mission and instead allows BYU to turn it into a spectacle for Provo High-ENOUGH!!

To Anonymous | 8:14 a.m. May 30, 2008

Bronco can't comment. If he did, he would commit recruiting violations, maybe stripped of theses two boys, but most certainly be put on probation and stripped of scholarships.

Please at least know the issue before making snide remarks. Oh, wait. This is the internet. No one is required to actually know anything before spewing.

Re: Disappointed Cougar | 8:14 a.m. May 30, 2008

Yah - and I had three (really known college athletes) as mission companions, and yah they all were the same way. This recruiting thing distroyed them as missionaries, individuals, and their soles.

To all you BYU-haters who say you reap what you sow.... I guess if after recruiting three mormon kids on missions (Hall, Bradley, and Jorgensen) produced two back to back 11-2 and top 15 seasons; then think what recruiting these two kids on their mission will bring.

Where does this family live now | 8:19 a.m. May 30, 2008

I am wondering where this family lives now-If the recruit graduatged from a high school in Hawaii-what is his brother doing at Timpview?? Just curious if this is another case of Timpview being a "Rick's" college for BYU. I am a BYU fan-but these recent developments are making me wonder what exactly is going on..

Re: Timeline = Manti's Rise | 8:19 a.m. May 30, 2008

If you have the inside scoop, then how come you failed to mention in your timeline that BYU actually offered a scholarship or told the family they would a few months ago?

This story was already broken by Dick or one of the DN staff months ago, it is only being made public again because the son finally recieved the news and made his decission.

Ryan | 8:20 a.m. May 30, 2008

All I can say is this: It is so much more fun for Cougars fan when all the rivals hate your coach, ie Bronco haters; than when all the rivals love your coach, ie Crowton. It definately means the program is going in the right direction.

I will only be upset when the Utes start singing Bronco's praises the way they did with Crowton.

Outsider | 8:21 a.m. May 30, 2008

What is the reference to zoobies?

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