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

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BYU football: Another missionary switches to play for Y.

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Anonymous | 5:45 p.m. May 30, 2008

I remember 15 years ago when Shawn Bradley announced while still on his mission that he would be turning pro and not returning to BYU following his mission.

Lee Benson, a D-News sports writer at the time, howled over Bradley making such a decision while still serving a mission. "Shouldn't his mind be on missionary work" - or words to that effect.

I guess that thinking only applies when a missionary is thinking about doing something that seems detrimental to BYU.

BYU vs. Utah | 5:48 p.m. May 30, 2008

Would you feel safer if your children attended BYU or Utah?

Think about it.

Las Vegas Aggie | 5:47 p.m. May 30, 2008

Talk about getting both barrels! As both a USU and UNLV fan, I ask why you would want to keep players in your program who don't want to be there? If they both would rather play for BYU and your football program and staff isn't strong enough to hold them, then let them go and move on. Can't wait to see the August matchup between USU and UNLV...probably wind up a tie.

Comments continue below

Mark from Ohio | 5:51 p.m. May 30, 2008

I am amazed at some of the idiotic comments here.

1. There's nothing unethical going on here. The family said they contacted BYU first. Even if they didn't, is there an NCAA rule that says you can't recruit an LDS missionary? Surely not. So the question is, did the BYU coach violate UNIVERSITY policy? According to the family, NO.

2. Yes, there is certainly hypocracy among BYU fans with respect to this situation versus Olsen's. So what? Who cares what individual fans think? The university simply moved on. And it is winning without Olsen.

3. I am amazed at how vitriolic some of these comments are. Accusations of self-righteousness, dishonesty, blah, blah, blah. You see only what you wish to see. Most normal impartial people outside the state of Utah would simply laugh at you.

Another thing... | 6:00 p.m. May 30, 2008

I think President Monson got his MBA at BYU.

tired of the diatribe | 6:06 p.m. May 30, 2008

Reading just a sampling of the comments has me frightened to consider that I drive on the same streets and vote from the same candidate pool with most of you. It is inane and pointless to act like anybody here understands what happened.

yewt's Bowl record? neh. | 6:36 p.m. May 30, 2008

Fact: BYU has played 17 bowl opponents with a Top 25 ranking, while Utah has played only 4 ranked teams. Expressed as a ratio, more than 2/3 of BYU's bowl opponents have been ranked, while only 1/3 of Utah's bowl opponents have been ranked.

So the next time your friendly neighborhood yewt runs his mouth about yewtah's fabulous bowl record, tell him that you'd be impressed if they had played some good teams.

Regardless | 7:12 p.m. May 30, 2008

In spite of any controversy about NCAA rules, who contacted who, etc, etc, etc, things like this are NOT going to go well for the missionary program. Coaches from other schools WILL be more hesitant to having their players go on missions at all. NOT a good thing for the Church (and by extension, BYU)

re: BYU vs Utah | 7:15 p.m. May 30, 2008

I would feel much more comfortable if my children attended the University of Utah. They would be better prepared to live in this big ugly world we live in because they will have experienced it and seen what it has to offer good and bad. Because according to you all life is perfect in provo

Vegas Ed | 7:47 p.m. May 30, 2008

The last post is right. I went to "the big ugly world" aka the U of U before my mission. I changed my mind on my mission and went to BYU. No, I didn't play sports in college, but I wanted a better atmosphere, and got it in Provo.

BYU Fan | 8:26 p.m. May 30, 2008

Just hope we can still somebody away from Utah Now and make it a trifecta. That would be sweet.

What is the big deal? | 8:29 p.m. May 30, 2008

The family contacted BYU, BYU waited the appropiratae 12 months as sanctioned by the NCAA to offer a scholarship, and Broncos left it up to the kid's Mission President how to break the news. Missionaries have news from home that is distraacting given to them all the time. I'm the sure the Elder was/is excited and I'm really sure he was quickly back doing the Lord's work. Calm down some of you and get a grip.

Hello | 9:27 p.m. May 30, 2008

Is it more distracting to know what you will be doing with your life or not knowing?

Utah fans | 9:29 p.m. May 30, 2008

What is wrong with most of you?

RR | 10:03 p.m. May 30, 2008

Wow, nearly 300 comments on two stories where no one really knows what happened. Bronco is a great coach, but anyone with anti-BYU venom will never see that, but only criticize every chance they get, as is evidenced by comments on this article.

BYU is the team to beat! I love the attention BYU is getting! Go Alma Mater!

Oh, no one wants to seriously go to a school where the team is going nowhere.

crazy | 10:10 p.m. May 30, 2008

Can't believe those comments about dissappointment in BYU. No one was in the wrong. One missionary is happy and his dream has come true. For anyone who thinks that missionaries shouldn't think about anything else but the work is an idiot. Nothing wrong with working out this situation before he gets home because if he waits until then he will be too late. All these negative comments are really stupid.

Used to be a Utah fan | 10:13 p.m. May 30, 2008

I wish I could still root for Utah but I am so embarrassed by some of the Utah fans I can't root for them any more. Reading these posts reminds me why. Hopefully UVU will get a team so I can root for them.

Utah Man | 11:46 p.m. May 30, 2008

I'm glad T'eo transfered to BYU. Now maybe UNLV won't beat us so bad.

Don't count the chicks ...... | 12:09 a.m. May 31, 2008

Why count the chicks if the eggs are not hatched.
How do you know these players will succeed at BYU.
Olsen was rate high in high school but seems to be inconsistent in college.
Maybe this player are a bust to BYU so don't
lets comment if they start hurting your program.

Go Cougs...

Mars | 12:24 a.m. May 31, 2008

Bronco said he would listen when contacted by the families of missionaries, and BYU fans are sure glad that he's both a rational and spiritual coach at the same time (besides being the best football coach in the Mountain West Conference). Contrast that to the other two college football coaches in the state of Utah, both of which look to be fired in the next year or so.

haunyocker | 1:04 a.m. May 31, 2008

I've seen several references to Ben Olsen. His experience at UCLA has been a big bust. I'm wondering if he has any second thoughts. He went to UCLA with stars in his eyes but I think they've all blinked out by now. I'll bet he wishes he would have stayed at BYU because the NFL ain't gunna come calling for him with all his injuries and dubious statistics...isn't it funny how dreams never seem to quite live up to realities?

Buckeye Ute | 5:32 a.m. May 31, 2008

As much as I like to criticize BYU. I don't see anything wrong with this. All the players were on their missions over a year. BYU broke no recruiting rules. Missionaries are permitted to apply to colleges on their mission. As a Ute and Buckeye fan I don't see anything wrong with this, because down the road we'll be able to get some of those guys away from BYU when their program is down. It all runs in cycles its BYU's up cycle. It won't last forever.

mnhusker | 7:37 a.m. May 31, 2008

Let's just remember we are talking BYU football here, not a big-time football program.

Buckeye Fan | 10:08 a.m. May 31, 2008

The missionary factor is huge when it comes to recruiting at the Y and at the U. All other schools get their recruits in and functioning as a team. With the Y and U, they may play a year or not at all and then be gone for 2 years. During the 2 years their work may tend to lean them to the Y. (Not in Olsen's case, must be a devil worshipper...oh yeah he went to UCLA not Arizona State or Duke). In any case it gives them extra time and an opportunity to change their plans...it's normal. Hey coaches do it, why not players.

This situation also looks like a 'family affair' thing. Plus situations change for the team also...injuries, change of programs and coaches. Even if a player doesn't go on a church mission, they can still leave a program. BYU involvement is probably very close to the envelope so they need to be careful. Mayber the mission presidents will have to also have training in athletic protocol and regulations, as not to cross the line. Life is too short to be an Aggie or Rebel. Anyway...Go Buckeyes!!!

Finally | 10:42 a.m. May 31, 2008

Read Ryan Comer article from Bleache report.

Here's a guy with a little non-bias perspecttive.

Basically what does he say.......................?

Shut-up to the cry babies at State and Yewtah and anyone who has a problem with the riley Matter or the kid named Te'o.

There is nothing bad or fishy or illegal.

It just spells it out for all the world to see just all the crapolla that the haters are beating the bushes with.

BYU just got a little better at least on face they did. Nelson has made no contribution to anyone at least for the time being.

The rest of college football, especially the media is beginning to see the haters for what they are...

Haters and Cry Babies. One day the wind may blow the other way and BYU may end up on the short end and the Haters and Cry babies will have 15 seconds in the sun, and revive the Hate Thing all over again.

No one complained when BYU was losing as Comer pointed out. Comer recognizes tha BYU is on the way back and how sad but truthful, but correct nonetheless the world of college football see's the haters foras they are.....................

Re:hounyocker | 12:14 p.m. May 31, 2008

Like everyone who ever played football at BYU had great pro careers and lived happily ever after. UCLA has there share of great pro players and college players that loved the experiance. The way the progream was going at BYU at the time, I don't blame Ben for going to UCLA. The same argument for Riley going to BYU.

Re:Finally | 12:17 p.m. May 31, 2008

Don't act so smug, BYU fans were doing the same thing to Ben Olsen as Utah State fans are doing to Riley. Trying to change history is an art form in Utah, but don't try it with sports fans.

RE;Used to be a Utah fan | 12:19 p.m. May 31, 2008

Ya sure , you've never been a Utah fan. Have the guts to admit your zoobie if your a zoobie.

Re:BYU vs Utah | 12:24 p.m. May 31, 2008

I attended both schools, If being safer in a jail cell is what you call safe, I'm with you BYU is the place you need to go. If using your brain and having the freedom to make choices as you will in everyday life is what your looking for, the "U" is what you want.

musician | 1:54 p.m. May 31, 2008

I don't care about all this football stuff, USU got Craig Jessop, that's huge and speaks volumes of the people at BYU.

Re: Finally | 2:19 p.m. May 31, 2008

Nice job trying to promote your "BLOG" as a credible, non-biased opinion. Anyone who is tricked into reading like I was, will see no professionalism. My suggestion to you is to increase your vocabulary, and write more professionaly. No professional uses words like "crap" "idiots".

go BYU | 2:46 p.m. May 31, 2008

I wasn't mad when Olsen left for UCLA and I'm not elated to have these recruits. I just want BYU to keep beating Utah year after year after year. A BCS bowl win would be extra - something those darn Utes still have on me.

Mr. Cole | 3:37 p.m. May 31, 2008

Good to hear. Good for cougars.

But how many other coaches get permission from a player's missionary president to contact them?

The Grass is Greener | 7:33 p.m. May 31, 2008

FYI: University students transfer! Hundreds leave BYU/UU/USU and eveb"BSU", every year to attend other schools. Students at other schools transfer by the thousands "every year." Should every student who begins at any school be required to stay....? I just find all of this unfortunate discussion, "interesting?" We have children who have attended BYU,USU, UofU, SUU, & UNLV. Athletes are no different. Things don't work out one place, so you move-on. It would be interesting to see the number of people commenting who attended only one university, or if they even attended at all. Too much bitterness and self righteousness in our lives.....sort of sad.

Same Old Te'o | 8:57 p.m. May 31, 2008

This is nothing new for the Te'o's. Meloise played at American Fork Soph. year. He went to Kahuku for his Jr year, then came back to AF for his Senior year. However, only played one game then went back to Hawaii. I'm not really surprised that he he switched schools. But I am surprised that BYU has given him a scholarship. I don't think he'll ever play that much. Similar to a Wayne Latu. Good, but just a back up.

Gretzky | 9:14 p.m. May 31, 2008

well, that's nice. thanks all of you for contributing your knowledgelessness on this whole matter. it's about time these LDS athletes started realizing that if you are going to play in the MWC (a NON-original six BCS conference) and you can keep the BYU standards then BYU really is the best place for you to succeed both on and off the field both now and in the future. there have been far too many student athletes on the football team that have left for "greener" pastures in the past and failed. few have succeeded. i am happy for Bronco and his staff. they have set the bar and BYU had some setbacks early on but the last few seasons have been great for the school and program.

Neither school for me! | 9:47 p.m. May 31, 2008

Score another one for BIFF!!!

Southern CA Porter Rockwell | 12:55 a.m. June 1, 2008

As big as a BYU Cougar football fan that I am, it is disappointing to read that this young man, while supposively serving a full time mission, felt the need to take care of secular issues such as playing football. Was there a reason why it couldn't wait until he was released? Where was the father's counsel to be "immersed" in serving the Lord 100%? Why didn't the mission president intervened? If I were BYU's head football coach, I would have replied with a simple e-mail, "Forget about yourself and get to work!" Sounds familiar?

RE:Gretzky | 1:38 a.m. June 1, 2008

If you want people to take you seriously you can't use the word "knowledgelessness".

Winning Again | 9:06 a.m. June 1, 2008

Wow the cougars must be BACK! 2 or 3 years ago and this is not a story. Amazing what winning does.The next story will be from the national media, there usual story of how the cougars have an unfair advantage by having older players on their team. Yes the cougars are back!! So like we were told when Ben Olsen left and other players left the program. Just deal with it!

Re: Winning Again | 10:20 a.m. June 1, 2008

It depends on what you consider "Being Back" is. Losing to Tulsa, spliting with UCLA a team that coulndn't beat a bad Notre Dame team. Ya your back alright. I guess we all are going to have to deal with it.

lae | 10:19 a.m. June 1, 2008

As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I have some real concerns about the level of arrogance BYU Athletics breeds. Not necessarily in their players but in their fans. Reading some of these comments just elevates those concerns.

Anonymous | 10:50 a.m. June 1, 2008

Isn't it interesting how critics can only see the negative. Perhaps it is because they can't imagine someone actually having integrity. Is it possible that these things actually happened as the family stated? Or is it simply a function that we can't believe it would happen that way because we can't live our own lives with that much integrity? It's called projection. We project our own behaviors onto others simply because we need to believe we aren't personally lacking.

AZ Coug | 1:53 p.m. June 1, 2008

When Ben Olson left BYU, I said,'more power to him.' He thought UCLA was his vehicle to the pros. I did not blame him one bit. No sour grapes here. Let the new RM's come to BYU if they want.

Winning Again | 4:16 p.m. June 1, 2008

I consider being back as winning conference championships and going to bowl games again. As for the losses I won't mention UNLV, oops. We all know transfers happen and when one or more goes the way for the cougar haters lets see what is said. I bet it won't be as big of a deal as this was.

BYU l | 8:53 p.m. June 1, 2008

To all of you who don't like BYU for whatever reason, I have a suggestion, don't go there! Go to the U. or U. where anything goes! You can see and hear what "goes" there an most any game at R.E stadium. On the other hand, if you enjoy the "clean air" of BYU campus the honor code is no problem, in fact it is quite liberating! For those of you who define being liberated in another way, by all means go somewhere else and make room for a few more of the thousands who would LOVE to go to BYU!

Bleed Cougar Blue | 10:16 p.m. June 1, 2008

I'm a DIEHARD BYU fan and I see there are 296 comments about a freshman transferring from UNLV to BYU?? I know the Y is gaining national prominence but how many of these comments are from BYU haters in general and Mormon haters in particular?....

True Blue | 10:16 p.m. June 1, 2008

I am glad to hear that Dick Harmon wasn't able to find any Bronco quote saying he wouldn't recruit missionaries that have committed to other schools. I feel so much better. The real tragedy is that a missionary is wasting his precious time dealing with non-missionary issues. This whole thing should have waited until he returned. A mission president shouldn't be a recruiting agent. That is plain wrong. What's right is right and what's wrong is wrong. What's black is black and what's white is white, unless it's navy blue, or is that the darkest shade of royal blue.

RE: Same Old Te'o | 10:37 p.m. June 1, 2008

It sounds to me you know something about the Teo's no one else does? I too am from American Fork and also know the Teo's they're good people. But all I can remember were players trying to leave Coach Knights program. The mediocrity of our team probably have you and me and the rest of American Fork fooled thinking we are a legitimate feeder program for D1 programs. Oh wait we did sign a D1 prospect last year...oh wait, he transferred from Lone Peak...hmmm your personal evaluation of talent has no merit. Let's wait until we consistently can produce D1 athletes year in and year out!

GO UTES BABY!!!!!

CO Coug | 11:16 p.m. June 1, 2008

These stories are funny, absolutely 100% un-newsworthy about a recruit who changed his mind (he may not even make it at BYU) and we now are pushing 300 comments. Gotta love the Utah/BYU rivalry. I would throw USU in there, but their team is absolutely putrid.

p.s. I love the comments about how people are offended to the point of losing their faith (or membership) because of insignificant actions of the BYU football program.

Also, I had my parents help me apply for college and housing while I was on my mission; how evil of me thinking of my future!!!! (sarcasm)

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