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Dick Harmon: Unga family is making its mark in the world of football
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Inside Source | 11:37 p.m. Nov. 12, 2009
I talked to Harvey Unga's dad and asked if he was going to declare for the
draft this year. It makes perfect sense. Harvey has been completely amazing at
the college level and really has nothing to prove. But his dad said that he
talked him out of it. So, based on that, it looks like he'll be back next
year! Our running game is going to be unstoppable next year!
printed tomorrow | 7:27 a.m. Nov. 13, 2009
Does it seem like this story was supposed to be printed tomorrow?
ncp | 7:46 a.m. Nov. 13, 2009
Lots of love to Harvey Unga! I have watched his career when he was recruited out
of high school. My opinion would be for athletes to stay in school. Austin
Collie is an exception of course. But look at Luke Staley! To me he was the most
exciting running in BYU history. He leaves school early (o.k.,so he wasn't
a very good student). Another injury and he was down and out with the Detroit
Lions. After being drafted on the 7th round. He has now to go back to school and
get a degree that he can use. It is just my opinion.
Comments continue below
ncp | 7:50 a.m. Nov. 13, 2009
Excuse me, but I omitted running back from the most description of Luke Staley.
Trueblue | 8:02 a.m. Nov. 13, 2009
I love the way Harvey plays but I don't see this kid making it in the pros.
I hope he proves me wrong.
Uncle Fine... | 8:05 a.m. Nov. 13, 2009
I was around BYU in the mid 80s and seem to remember some trouble that Fine got
into...or something like that. I thought that he was supposed to play at BYU,
but for some reason, could not play there...maybe I'm wrong.
Go now | 8:40 a.m. Nov. 13, 2009
First of all, just because a kid goes pro doesn't mean he isn't
getting a degree. Go pro and then get a degree while in the pros or after. One
game in the pros pays more than a whole year of scholarship.
Second, ncp, Luke Staley went pro for EXACTLY the reason you described -- he knew he was one injury away from ending his career, and he wanted to collect some money before that happened. If he would've stayed in school he'd have gotten injured and received one year of scholarship. As it is, he got a paycheck worth 10 years worth of scholarship. He did the right thing, and anyone on BYU's athletic staff will tell you so.
Unga, also somewhat injury prone, needs to go NOW. He isn't going to make more by staying, and could make less.
Scholarships are year-to-year which means the school and the player are committed to do their best by each other one year at a time. Unga has earned his keep every year, and now owes it to himself to do right by himself.
Go now.
Second, ncp, Luke Staley went pro for EXACTLY the reason you described -- he knew he was one injury away from ending his career, and he wanted to collect some money before that happened. If he would've stayed in school he'd have gotten injured and received one year of scholarship. As it is, he got a paycheck worth 10 years worth of scholarship. He did the right thing, and anyone on BYU's athletic staff will tell you so.
Unga, also somewhat injury prone, needs to go NOW. He isn't going to make more by staying, and could make less.
Scholarships are year-to-year which means the school and the player are committed to do their best by each other one year at a time. Unga has earned his keep every year, and now owes it to himself to do right by himself.
Go now.
J J | 9:05 a.m. Nov. 13, 2009
Didn't Harvey miss the Oklahoma game due to a hamstring problem? I think
he broke one of his small fingers a little bit later, but that didn't put
him out.
Anonymous | 9:24 a.m. Nov. 13, 2009
Did the BYU vs UNM game get moved up to today??????
Take the $$$ | 9:26 a.m. Nov. 13, 2009
I use to be on the Stay-In-School bandwagon until I did the math. Harvey needs
to take the opportunities while they are there...if he gets injured in the NFL
then he can always come back to BYU to finish his degree later. The NFL minimum
salary is close to 300K per year for a rookie. If he can make an NFL team, for
just one year, then it will be well worth it. I'd be selfish to tell him
to stay ... even though I'd like to watch him another year.
Chad Sexington | 9:27 a.m. Nov. 13, 2009
Unga wouldn't start one game for Utah.
Utah goes 3 deep before they get to Unga.
Utah goes 3 deep before they get to Unga.
Take the $$$ | 9:34 a.m. Nov. 13, 2009
NFL rookies make close to 300K if they make the roster. Silly to stay in school
for 5K worth of tuition.
big fan | 10:02 a.m. Nov. 13, 2009
Huge Harvey Unga fan here... the kid is so entertaining to watch.
Wish him only great success and health. Good Luck Harvey in whatever decision you make.
Watching you on Saturdays has been a pleasure. Here's to eventually watching you on Sundays too!
Wish him only great success and health. Good Luck Harvey in whatever decision you make.
Watching you on Saturdays has been a pleasure. Here's to eventually watching you on Sundays too!
Anonymous | 10:06 a.m. Nov. 13, 2009
BYU could certainly use Unga next season with so many young QBs on the team but
it would make sense for him to try to go pro as well. Fui Vakapuna and
especially Fahu Tahi seem to be doing OK in the pros.
Chad Sexington II | 10:22 a.m. Nov. 13, 2009
I don't know anything about football as I made obvious in my statement
about Unga not playing if he were a Yewt. I will talk up the Yewts until they
lose tomorrow. Then I will whine about the refs and will stop going to the games
along with all the rest of my bandwagon bunch. But I will continue to make
ignorant statements about BYU because deep down I know they are better so like
any child I will lash out at them because of my feelings of inadequacy.
Anonymous | 10:44 a.m. Nov. 13, 2009
If he wouldnt start a game at Utah why is he leading the league in yards? Are
you kidding me? The kid is an OX he doesn't stop.
bakerb | 10:55 a.m. Nov. 13, 2009
Chad,
You are halucinating!
You are halucinating!
Anonymous | 10:58 a.m. Nov. 13, 2009
Chad - of course Harvey couldn't start a single game for Utah - they would
have to forfeit if he did. Other than that when any of your running backs beat
out Harvey on the all conference team I will take your opinion as something
other than just a Ute homer's opinion.
re: Chad Sexington | 11:14 a.m. Nov. 13, 2009
Why start at Utah when you can RUN over their players! Oh yeah Bay Bay!
nubbs | 11:39 a.m. Nov. 13, 2009
I think Harvey ought to enter the draft but not get an agent. This way if he he
goes to deep in the draft he can decide to come back his senior year.
Texas Cougar | 12:09 p.m. Nov. 13, 2009
Whit was right to be upset when Unga changed his mind and decided to go to BYU
(although things seem to be working alright for Whit anyway).
I just wish we would develop more running plays for Harvey. With a career average of over 5 yards per carry, he should be getting 30 to 40 touches per game (of course, the extra wear would take a toll).
I just wish we would develop more running plays for Harvey. With a career average of over 5 yards per carry, he should be getting 30 to 40 touches per game (of course, the extra wear would take a toll).
AK Cougar | 12:20 p.m. Nov. 13, 2009
Interesting article about Unga. He has been entertaining to watch and will fun
to see him against UNM with 150 yds by 3rd qtr.
Go Harvey.
Go Harvey.
OMG! | 1:19 p.m. Nov. 13, 2009
I can't remember a more intense player than Fine Unga!!!
It's Not Me | 2:14 p.m. Nov. 13, 2009
Fine's great, and whoever insinuated that he got into trouble is out of
line.
Run, run | 2:15 p.m. Nov. 13, 2009
I agree...why can't BYU use Unga more and get him the ball more? It just
seems that Anae is in love with the passing game and cannot give it up. Unga is
a big time talent.
achilles | 3:14 p.m. Nov. 13, 2009
Chad,
Is that why Harvey is first team all Mountan West?
Is that why Harvey is first team all Mountan West?
JUNBUG - T-BIRDS | 3:16 p.m. Nov. 13, 2009
CHEEEHOOO!!! CONGRATZ HARVEY, WAY TO BE A GOOD EXAMPLE FOR ALL THE YOUNG ONES IN
THE FAMILY!! ALTHOUGH IM A DIE HARD UTE FAN, FAMILY COMES FIRST!! WHAT EVER U
DO, ALWAYS REPRESENT OUR FAMILY, WE'RE PROUD OF YOU!!! GOOD JOB BIG
FIN-BONE!
achilles | 3:18 p.m. Nov. 13, 2009
Fines Trouble,
Fine Coached my nephew who has trouble with believing in his abilities. He turned him from a shy 13 year old into the starting RB for a Mini Bowl team.
Fine is a great guy, FIRST CLASS.
Fine Coached my nephew who has trouble with believing in his abilities. He turned him from a shy 13 year old into the starting RB for a Mini Bowl team.
Fine is a great guy, FIRST CLASS.
Staley not good example | 3:19 p.m. Nov. 13, 2009
Staley isn't the forerunner of Harvey Unga and shouldn't be held up as
the example. Staley was already injured when he entered the draft and that is
why he was drafted so low. And he didn't end up collecting a big paycheck
in the NFL. He got cut early and, last I heard, was selling cellphones in the
mall.
However, I think BYU already overuses Unga, and he may end up like Staley. He would be more effective if they used Tonga and Kariya a bit more.
However, I think BYU already overuses Unga, and he may end up like Staley. He would be more effective if they used Tonga and Kariya a bit more.
D to the T | 3:57 p.m. Nov. 13, 2009
Harvey should go to the league. If he gets hurt next year what job can he get
with a 4 year degree that will make near the money out the gates. Look at what
happened to Sam Bradford he has probably lost ovet 10 mil by not going to the
draft.
UNGA FAN | 6:09 p.m. Nov. 13, 2009
As a Ute first, and MWC fan second, BYU should use Unga much more than what they
do. He runs down hill, and it takes more than one guy to bring him down.
Instead of scoring 50 points against the likes of Wyoming, Tulane, use the time
to develop the run game. Become a more dimensional team. You have a great back
in Unga.
s gvmn | 6:12 p.m. Nov. 13, 2009
It is a 4 year contract. He cannot leave early or he will not get the fulness
of blessings. Do not give up the rewards.
TCU fan | 6:52 p.m. Nov. 13, 2009
I think Harvey has had a great career, but he is not good enough for the NFL,
and I think he is not all he is hyped up to be. He is not very fast, and gets
hurt easily, despite he still plays. Good luck to him in whatever he does in
life after college
Dear TCU fan | 10:20 p.m. Nov. 13, 2009
when you're 230, powerful, and can cause any DB to miss tackle, than
he's not expected to be super fast.
He put up over 120 yards on your great run D.
Better than any other team.
He put up over 120 yards on your great run D.
Better than any other team.
He's gotta go | 7:30 a.m. Nov. 14, 2009
I Love how Unga plays. It would be a great help for BYU if he stayed. That
being said, I don't think he should. Playing RB, especially the crushing
style that Unga plays takes a toll on ones body.
He can and will be able to play in the NFL. He won't be a first day draft pick. He may only see a couple years of back up duty before his career ends, but thats OK. Just making it into the NFL is a great feat and if he manages his money wisely, he could retire with a large nest egg for his family to use on a rainy day.
He can and will be able to play in the NFL. He won't be a first day draft pick. He may only see a couple years of back up duty before his career ends, but thats OK. Just making it into the NFL is a great feat and if he manages his money wisely, he could retire with a large nest egg for his family to use on a rainy day.
PROVO GIRL | 10:13 p.m. Nov. 15, 2009
I am a big UNGA fan, not just the athletes, the entire family. Harvey has good
people around him. The ultimate choice is Harvey's and I'm gonna miss
watching him tear up the field if he enters the draft but I wish him the best in
everything he does. For all the doubters and haters........nothing but love for
you!
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Chen Wang, Deseret News
Brigham Young running back Harvey Unga (45) looks for ways to dodge Wyoming's defense during the first half of a NCAA college football game of BUY Cougars vs. Wyoming Cowboys at War Memorial Stadium in Laramie, Wyo., Saturday, Nov. 7, 2009. Chen Wang, Deseret News
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