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PROVO, Utah (Feb. 3, 2010) – BYU head coach Bronco Mendenhall today announced the Cougars’ national top-25 football recruiting class, featuring 26 talented recruits. The top class of Mendenhall’s five-year tenure in Provo, BYU’s 2010 signees include 14 defensive and 12 offensive standouts.
"I’m extremely excited about this class,” Mendenhall said. “This class is full of outstanding young men who are fantastic football players and quality individuals. I think they share a common vision for our program. We are excited to have them be part of BYU football.”
The 2010 class features 26 high-school seniors, including three mid-year enrollees—quarterback Jake Heaps, wide receiver Ross Apo and running back Joshua Quezada—who signed scholarship agreements in December. 2009 signee Kyle Van Noy also enrolled in January, adding to the overall strength of BYU’s incoming players. Scout.com rated Van Noy the No. 11 outside linebacker nationally in 2009.
Six Cougar signees in the 2010 class are rated among the top 20 recruits nationally at their respective positions, including Heaps (No. 1 quarterback by Scout.com), Zac Stout (No. 8 middle linebacker by Scout.com), Graham Rowley (No. 11 guard by Scout.com), Apo (No. 13 wide receiver by Rivals.com), Blair Tushaus (No. 15 center by Scout.com) and Bronson Kaufusi (No. 19 defensive end by Scout.com).
The Cougars signed 10 of the top 16 players from Utah, including the state’s top-rated prospect, Kaufusi out of Timpview High School, and the 2009 Deseret News Mr. Football recipient Tuni Kanuch, an offensive lineman out of Bingham High School.
Joining Kaufusi and Kanuch (No. 6) among the top 16 recruits from Utah signing with BYU are linebacker Toloa’i Ho-Ching (No. 5, Alta High School), Kanuch (No. 6), linebacker Sae Tautu (No. 8, Lone Peak High School), offensive lineman Jordan Black (No. 9, Alta High School), tight end Bryan Sampson (No. 10, Pleasant Grove High School), linebacker Joey Owens (No. 11, Pleasant Grove High School), running back Algernon Brown (No. 13, Skyline High School), defensive lineman Jordan Afo (No. 15, Cottonwood High School) and offensive lineman Manu Mulitalo (No. 16, Granger High School).
Overall, the Cougars signed four offensive linemen, four running backs, two tight ends, one quarterback and one wide receiver on the offensive side of the ball and six linebackers, five defensive lineman and three defensive backs to the defensive unit. Eleven recruits hail from Utah, five from California and three from Texas while Alabama, Georgia, Massachusetts, Kansas, Arizona, Washington and Hawaii are also represented in the class. 2009 signee Van Noy prepped in Nevada.
BYU's class is ranked No. 22 in the nation by Scout.com and No. 24 by ESPN.com—the top-rated recruiting effort from the Mountain West Conference and among schools from a non-automatic qualifying BCS conference. This year’s BYU class tops its No. 40 Scout.com rating in 2009 and No. 42 class in 2007.
BYU’s recruiting efforts have helped the Cougars become one of only five programs in the nation to win 10 or more games each of the last four years. BYU has earned a 43-9 record over that span—a standard topped by only four teams nationally—while finishing among the nation’s top 25 each year. In 2009, BYU went 11-2 to finish No. 12 in the final rankings.
Brief biographies and a complete list of BYU’s 2010 class as well as returning missionaries are included below.
Jordan Afo
Defensive Line
6-4, 300
Salt Lake City, Utah
Cottonwood HS
Ranked the No. 15 football recruit out of the state of Utah by Rivals.com ... totaled 19 tackles in 2009, helping his team to an 8-4 record ... suffered a broken back during his junior year ... also recruited by Utah and Utah State ... coached by Cecil Thomas.
*Ross Apo
Wide Receiver
6-4, 190
Arlington, Texas
The Oakridge School
Ranked the No. 13 wide receiver in the nation by Rivals.com ... averaged 19.1 yards per catch over his three year prep career ... totaled nearly 2,000 receiving yards ... 22 career touchdown receptions, including 21 over the past two seasons ... averaged 22.5 yards on 36 receptions as a senior, totaling 810 yards and 10 touchdowns ... as a junior he hauled in 37 passes for 764 yards for a 20.6 yards-per-catch average with 11 touchdown receptions ... he also recorded 27 catches for 331 yards and one touchdown as a sophomore ... invited to play in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl ... also recruited by California, Kansas State, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Texas and Tulsa ... coached by Phillip Farhat.
*Signed during the early signing period; enrolled in January
Jordan Black
Offensive Line
6-7, 235
Sandy, Utah
Alta HS
Ranked No. 9 football recruit out of the state of Utah by rivals.com... earned All-State mention... helped lead Alta to two consecutive state titles, including a 10-3 record in 2009... team captain ... shows the ability to win battles at a consistent rate and has good quickness and body control ...also played basketball where he averaged five points and five rebounds per game... coached by Les Hamilton.
Algernon Brown
Running Back
6-1, 205
Salt Lake City, Utah
Skyline HS
Recorded 92 carries for 783 yards and 13 touchdowns as a senior ... averaged 8.5 yards per carry ... does a great job of following his blockers and can hit the hole quickly ... good vision and excellent strength and instincts ... added 132 carries for 840 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2008 ... had a career total of 271 carries for 1,983 yards and 30 touchdowns ... coached by Roger Dupaix.
Tayo Fabuluje
Defensive Line
6-6, 255
Arlington, Texas
The Oakridge School
Named to the Arlington Times-Register’s Football Super Teams Offensive Second Team ... helped lead Oakridge to a 9-2 record in 2009 ... teammate of fellow recruits Ross Apo and Teu Kautai ... also recruited by Arizona, Arkansas, Kansas State, Nebraska, North Texas, Purdue, San Diego State, TCU, Tulsa and Utah ... coached by Phillip Farhat.
Alani Fua
Tight End/Defensive Lineman
6-5, 210
Westlake Village, Calif.
Oaks Christian HS
Recorded 71 tackles as a senior, along with nine sacks, one interception, two fumble recoveries and three forced fumbles as Oaks Christian earned a 13-1 record ... also caught 25 passes for 303 yards and three touchdowns in 2009 ... had 67 tackles, three sacks, two fumble recoveries and one forced fumble as a junior ... his older brother, Sione, is a defensive tackle at Stanford ... teammate of fellow BYU recruit Zac Stout ... also recruited by Arizona, Arizona State, Hawaii, Ohio State, Oregon State and Washington ... coached by Bill Redell.
Kori Gaines
Defensive Back
5-9, 170
Loganville, Georgia
Grayson HS
Three-year starter for Grayson ... all-county and first-team all-state selection ... helped lead his team to a 12-1 overall record in 2009 as key member of defensive unit that allowed on average eight points per game and produced five shutouts ... returned punt 52 yards for a touchdown against Roswell in a Georgia 5A quarterfinal victory ... led county with school-record nine interceptions in 2009 and added 25 tackles ... finished second on the team in tackles as a junior with 46 ... also broke up seven passes with two picks in 2008 ... contributor on special teams with a 31.1 kick return average, including a long of 99 yards for a touchdown ... piled up 39 tackles and four interceptions his sophomore season ... has excellent quickness and change of direction ... fast in the open field and closes quickly on the run or the pass ... coached by Mickey Conn ... Grayson defensive line coach Lenny Gregory played defensive line for the Cougars from 1991-93.
Jacob Hannemann
Defensive Back
6-1, 190
Highland, Utah
Lone Peak High School
Helped lead Lone Peak High School to a 9-3 overall record in 2009, including a 5-1 league-best mark in 5A’s Region 4 along with Alta High School ... totaled 33 tackles with four interceptions ... had five or more tackles in four games ... Had 19 receptions for 380 yards and seven touchdowns and rushed three times for 20 yards on offense ... recorded season-high 137 yards with two touchdowns against American Fork ... all-state second team ... team MVP ... coached by Tony McGeary.
*Jake Heaps
Quarterback
6-2, 205
Issaquah, Wash.
Skyline HS
Ranked the No. 1 quarterback in the country by Scout.com ... named the top college football recruit out of the state of Washington by MaxPreps ... earned Parade All-America honors following his senior season ... was invited to play in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl as the starting quarterback for the West team ... led Skyline to three consecutive state championships ... 2009 first-team All-State quarterback ... AP Washington State Player of the Year ... USA Today All-America first team selection ... 40-2 record as a starting quarterback ... completed 213-of-352 passes for 3,191 yards and 45 touchdowns as a senior ... team captain ... threw a state-title game record four touchdown passes in a 45-21 victory against Ferris HS ... career totals were 9,196 yards, 114 touchdowns and only 18 interceptions ... rushed for 30 touchdowns ... 2008 KingCo 4A All-Conference Co-Offensive MVP ... KingCo 4A All-Conference Quarterback ... Seattle Times MVP ... Gatorade Washington State Player of the Year ... AP State Player of the Year ... helped Skyline achieve a perfect 28-0 record over his sophomore and junior seasons ... also recruited by California, Notre Dame, Tennessee, Washington and LSU ... coached by Mat Taylor.
*Signed during the early signing period ; enrolled in January
Toloa’i Ho-Ching
Linebacker
6-0, 225
Sandy, Utah
Alta HS
Totaled 81 tackles as a senior, as well as 10.5 sacks and a blocked field goal ... led 5A in sacks ... despite missing two games in 2009 due to a knee injury, he helped Alta advance to the 5A state semifinals ... two-year all-state selection ... had 82 tackles as a junior, 15 sacks and one interception ... also recruited by California, Colorado, UCLA, Utah, Utah State, Wisconsin and Wyoming ... coached by Les Hamilton.
Jordan Johnson
Defensive Back
5-10, 175
North Andover, Mass.
Brooks School
Leage MVP ... helped Brooks School reach a 7-2 record as a senior ... he ran for 950 yards and 12 touchdowns, passed for 640 yards and six touchdowns and had 48 tackles on defense ... tallied 660 yards rushing as a freshman and 563 yards as a sophomore ... also recruited by Bryant, Connecticut, Northeastern and Tulsa ... coached by John Quirk.
Tuni Kanuch
Offensive Line
6-1, 285
South Jordan, Utah
Bingham HS
Named a first-team All-American by MaxPreps ... ranked the No. 6 football recruit out of the state of Utah by Rivals.com ... four-year starter at Bingham, helping them to a 13-1 record in 2009 ... quick enough to get out in space and run the field and always seems to get good positioning ... named the Deseret News 2009 Mr. Football ... first-team all-state as a sophomore, junior and senior ... also recruited by Utah ... coached by Dave Peck.
Bronson Kaufusi
Defensive Line
6-6, 220
Provo, Utah
Timpview HS
Ranked the No. 1 recruit out of the state of Utah by Scout.com ... Red Zone Player of the Year ... Utah County Defensive MVP ... was invited to play in the 2010 Under Armour All-America Football Game ... totaled 19 tackles and two sacks in 2009 before suffering a season-ending knee injury ... recorded over 70 tackles, 9.5 sacks, 23 forced fumbles and batted down a team record 21 passes in 2008 ... had 57 tackles and eight sacks as a sophomore ... also recruited by Stanford ... coached by Louis Wong ... father, Steve, is the defensive line coach at BYU.
Teu Kautai
Linebacker
6-1, 200
Arlington, Texas
The Oakridge School
An all-around athlete who played quarterback, safety and linebacker at The Oakridge School in Arlington, Texas ... high school teammate of fellow BYU commits Ross Apo and Tayo Fabuluje ... a team captain with outstanding leadership abilities ... led the offensive unit at quarterback with dual-threat agility as a passer and runner ... an aggressive defender who runs well and has great athleticism ... helped The Oakridge School achieve a 9-2 record in 2009 ... coached by Phillip Farhat.
Collin Keoshian
Linebacker
6-2, 225
Canyon Country, Calif.
Santa Clarita Christian School
The first recruit to ever sign with BYU from a eight-man football team ... totaled 169 tackles during his senior season, along with eight interceptions, four fumble recoveries and three forced fumbles ... responsible for 45 touchdowns in 2009 ... passed for 408 yards and five touchdowns ... ran for 2,226 yards on 251 carries for 32 touchdowns ... caught 20 passes for 370 yards and seven scores ... 2006 Heritage Defensive MVP ... coached by Garrick Moss.
AJ Moore
Running Back
5-10, 190
Murrieta, Calif.
Murrieta Valley HS
Scored 14 touchdowns last season, 10 rushing and four receiving his junior year... ran for 1,040 yards on 135 carries and caught 60 passes for 700 yards during his junior campaign... rushed for 921 yards on 125 carries and 12 touchdowns his senior season... recorded 37 receptions for 548 yards and four touchdowns the same year... also completed a 46-yard touchdown pass against Rancho Verde as a senior... selected as the NFL’s initial ‘Legacy Project’ athlete and was mentored by NFL Hall of Famer Ron Yary... also recruited by Boise State, Fresno State and San Diego State... coached by Greg Ireland.
Manu Mulitalo
Offensive Line
6-3, 305
West Valley City, Utah
Granger HS
Ranked the No. 16 football recruit out of the state of Utah by Rivals.com ... offensive MVP at USC Nike Camp in 2009 ... second-team all-state ... All-Poly camp MVP ... all-region ... finishes his blocks, moves his feet well and has a great punch ... cousin of BYU’s Ryan Mulitalo ... also recruited by Navy, Utah, Washington, Washington State and UCLA ... coached by Doyle Holt.
Joey Owens
Linebacker
6-2, 215
Pleasant Grove, Utah
Pleasant Grove HS
Ranked the No. 11 football recruit out of the state of Utah by Rivals.com ... recognized as first-team All-Region ... totaled 35 tackles as a senior, along with two sacks, helping the Vikings to an 8-3 record ... also saw time as a running back, totaling 417 career yards and five touchdowns on 67 carries ... shows a good combination of speed, quickness, and strength ... he can drop back into the passing lanes and effectively pass protect ... uses his quickness to outmaneuver most blockers, making plays from sideline to sideline ... teammate of fellow BYU recruit Bryan Sampson ... coached by Dale Sampson.
Drew Phillips
Running Back
6-0, 175
Boaz, Alabama
Boaz High School
An aggressive runner with 4.39 40-yard dash speed amassed more than 5,000 rushing yards and 35 touchdowns during his career... averaged nearly 6.5 yards per carry over his career ... one of top three running backs in the state in 2009, earning first-team All-State honors by the Alabama Sports Writers Association ... rushed for more than 200 yards in at least five games in 2009 while helping Boaz to a 7-3 overall record and Region 7-best (tied) 6-1 mark ... received Star of Alabama recognition vs. Albertville after rushing for 248 yards on 36 carries ... finished his junior season in 2008 with a school-record 2,196 yards rushing with 18 touchdowns, averaging 7.2 yards per carry ... also played quarterback out of the "wildcat" formation where he passed for 222 yards and four touchdowns ... selected Marshall County MVP, Marshall County All-County team, the Gadsden Times All-Area team and MVP, Huntsville Elite All-Metro Team, and honorable mention All-State (5A) by the ASWA ... shattered school records for most rushing yards in a single season, and longest punt return for a touchdown in school history (99 yards) ... rushed for more than 1,200 yards as a sophomore in 2007... selected All-Marshall County and team offensive MVP in 2007... also recruited by Florida State, Illinois, Louisville, North Alabama, Stanford, SMU, Central Michigan, Utah and Wyoming ... coached by Drew Noles.
*Joshua Quezada
Running Back
5-11, 210
La Habra, Calif.
La Habra HS
Rushed for 2,114 yards and 26 touchdowns, while adding 186 yards and two touchdowns as a receiver, to lead the Highlanders to their third-straight CIF-Southern Section Southwest Division Championship in 2009 ... named the 2009 Freeway League MVP, Daily News 2009 Football Player of the Year and CIF-SS Offensive Player of the Year ... back-to-back first-team All-Orange County selection ... ran for 1,680 yards on 163 carries and 21 touchdowns as a junior in 2008 ... also added 21 receptions for 318 yards and three touchdowns ... First Team All-Orange County ... First Team All-League and First Team All-CIF ... also recruited by Colorado State, Fresno State, Hawaii, New Mexico State, San Diego State, Stanford, Utah and Washington ... coached by Frank Mazzotta.
*Signed during the early signing period ; enrolled in January
Graham Rowley
Defensive Line
6-4, 270
Waialua, Hawaii
Waialua HS
Ranked the No. 11 offensive guard in the country by Scout.com ... a first-team all-state selection by the Honolulu Advertiser ... has quick feet, balance, and the ability to use his hands ... 1.56 10-yard dash and 4.82 40-yard dash times ... also recruited by Arizona, Colorado, Hawaii, SMU, Stanford and Washington ... coached by Lincoln Barit.
Bryan Sampson
Tight End
6-4, 210
Pleasant Grove, Utah
Pleasant Grove HS
Ranked the No. 10 football recruit out of the state of Utah by Rivals.com ... caught 21 passes for 249 yards during his senior season as the Vikings earned an 8-3 record ... caught the game-winning touchdown in the regional championship game against Riverton ... posted 12 catches for 169 yards and a touchdown as a junior ... he proves to be an outstanding blocker with a long wingspan, he's quick off the ball, runs good routes, and shows a good pair of hands ... also recruited by Idaho State, Utah State and Washington State ... coached by Dale Sampson.
Zac Stout
Linebacker
6-2, 220
Westlake Village, Calif.
Oaks Christian HS
Ranked the No. 8 middle linebacker in the country by Scout.com ... was invited to play in the Offense-Defense All-American Bowl ... 2009 All-CIF Northwest Division selection ... led his team to the state championship game his senior season ... totaled 112 tackles as a junior, including 81 solo take downs ... averaged 8.6 tackles per game ... recorded two interceptions, returning one for a touchdown against Nordhoff ... also had two fumble recoveries ... 2008 First Team All-Tri Valley League ... helped Oaks Christian to a California State record-setting sixth-straight CIF-SS Championship ... recorded 112 tackles as a sophomore, 22 for loss, helping the Lions to the CIF-SS title ... also recruited by Arizona, Colorado State, Nebraska, Oregon State, Washington and Washington State ... coached by Bill Redell.
Sae Tautu
Linebacker
6-3, 215
Highland, Utah
Lone Peak HS
Ranked the No. 8 football recruit out of the state of Utah by Rivals.com ... named defensive MVP at the 2009 All-Polynesian Camp in Bountiful ... totaled 87 tackles and five sacks as a senior, leading Lone Peak to a 9-3 record and 5-1 league-best mark in 5A’s Region 4 along with Alta High School ... named Outstanding Linebacker at the BYU football camp ... also recruited by Stanford and Wyoming ... coached by Monte Morgan.
Travis Tuiloma
Defensive Line
6-3, 290
Topeka, Kansas
Washburn Rural High School
Consensus First-Team All-State selection ... earned Class 6A All-State honors from the Football Coaches Association as an offensive lineman ... rated the No. 13 recruit out of Kansas according to Rivals.com ... received prestigious selection to participant in the 2010 Kansas Shrine Bowl All-Star Football Game to be played July 31, 2010, in Pittsburg, Kansas ... team captain ... first-team all-city, first-team all-league, first-team all-state defense, First-Team All-State 6A Coaches' Association selection ... coached by Derick Hammes.
Blair Tushaus
Offensive Line
6-2, 270
Scottsdale, Ariz.
Notre Dame Preparatory
Ranked the No. 15 center in the country by Scout.com ... Scout.com 4A-II first-team all-state ... named first-team all-region as a junior after helping Notre Dame to the 4A2 state title and a perfect 14-0 record ... suffered a torn ACL prior to his senior season ... also recruited by Air Force, Arizona, Arizona State, Army, California, Duke, Nevada, New Mexico State, Northern Arizona, Notre Dame, San Diego State and UNLV ... coached by Scot Bemis.
*Kyle Van Noy
Linebacker
6-4, 209
Reno, Nev.
McQueen HS
First-team All-State ... playing linebacker and receiver, helped lead his team to a perfect 14-0 record and 4A state title in 2008 ... caught 35 passes for 731 yards and 18 touchdowns and rushed the ball 10 times for 121 yards ... defensively, had 79 tackles (55 solos), 10 tackles for loss, six forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries, 14 sacks and one interception for a score ... as a junior had 69 tackles, 24 tackles for loss, seven sacks, seven fumbles caused and two interceptions while totaling 805 yards receiving and 13 touchdowns on offense ... was an all-conference and all-area selection as a sophomore and was also an all-league performer in track (4x100, 4x200 and 4x400) ... also recruited by Arizona State, UCLA, Boise State, Cal and Colorado.
*Member of the 2009 recruiting class; enrolled in January
2010 BYU Football Signees Roster
Name Pos. Height Weight Hometown/Last School
Jordan Afo DL 6-4 300 Salt Lake City, Utah/Cottonwood HS
Ross Apo WR 6-4 190 Arlington, Texas/The Oakridge School
Jordan Black OL 6-7 235 Sandy, Utah/Alta HS
Algernon Brown RB 6-1 205 Salt Lake City, Utah/Skyline HS
Tayo Fabuluje DL 6-6 255 Arlington, Texas/The Oakridge School
Alani Fua DL/TE 6-5 210 Westlake Village, Calif./Oaks Christian HS
Kori Gaines DB 5-9 170 Loganville, Ga./Grayson HS
Jacob Hannemann DB 6-1 190 Highland, Utah/Lone Peak HS
Jake Heaps QB 6-2 205 Issaquah, Wash./Skyline HS
Toloa’I Ho-Ching LB 6-0 225 Sandy, Utah/Alta HS
Jordan Johnson DB 5-10 175 North Andover, Mass./Brooks School
Tuni Kanuch OL 6-1 285 South Jordan, Utah/Bingham HS
Bronson Kaufusi DL 6-6 220 Provo, Utah/Timpview HS
Teu Kautai LB 6-1 200 Arlington, Texas/The Oakridge School
Collin Keoshian LB 6-2 225 Canyon Country, Calif./Santa Clarita Christian
AJ Moore RB 5-10 190 Murrieta, Calif./Murrieta Valley HS
Manu Mulitalo OL 6-3 305 West Valley City, Utah/Granger HS
Joey Owens LB 6-2 215 Pleasant Grove, Utah/Pleasant Grove HS
Drew Phillips RB 6-0 175 Boaz, Ala./Boaz HS
Joshua Quezada RB 5-11 210 La Habra, Calif./La Habra HS
Graham Rowley DL 6-4 270 Waialua, Hawaii/Waialua HS
Bryan Sampson TE 6-4 210 Pleasant Grove, Utah/Pleasant Grove HS
Zac Stout LB 6-2 220 Westlake Village, Calif./Oaks Christian HS
Sae Tautu LB 6-3 215 Highland, Utah/Lone Peak HS
Travis Tuiloma DL 6-3 290 Topeka, Kan./Washburn Rural HS
Blair Tushaus OL 6-2 270 Scottsdale, Ariz./Notre Dame Prep.
*Kyle Van Noy LB 6-4 209 Reno, Nev./McQueen HS
*Member of the 2009 recruiting class who enrolled in January
Previous Signees Returning from Church Missions for 2010 Season
Name Pos. Height Weight Hometown/Last School
Famika Anae OL 6-5 260 Provo, Utah/Timpview HS
Tyler Beck LB 6-1 210 Murrieta, Calif./Vista Murrieta HS
Austin Holt TE 6-6 230 South Jordan, Utah/Bingham HS
Austen Jorgensen LB 6-3 230 Mt. Pleasant, Utah/North Sanpete HS
Walter Kahaialii OL 6-3 320 Lahaina, Hawaii/Kamehameha-Maui HS
James Lark QB 6-2 219 St. George, Utah/Pine View HS
Devin Mahina TE/DE 6-6 225 Upland, Calif./Upland HS
Eathyn Manumaleuna DL 6-2 280 Anchorage, Alaska/Timpview HS
Marcus Mathews WR 6-4 200 Beaverton, Ore./Southridge HS
Jason Munns QB 6-5 244 Kennewick, Wash./Southridge HS
Jordan Smith WR 6-4 190 Spanish Fork, Utah/Spanish Fork HS
Manaaki Vaitai OL 6-3 300 Euless, Texas/Trinity HS
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