Early Signing Day

[CrimsonCoug]

Commits so far:
Jacob Smith *** 6-6, 319. OL.
Ben Tuipulotu [no stars] 6-4, 200. TE.
Stacy Conner [no stars] 6-5, 185. QB.
Tysen Lewis [no stars] 6-5, 270. OL.
Harris LeChance [no stars] 6-8 275. OL. Returned Missionary.

Feel free to update as the day goes forward--assuming there's anything to update.
You can substitute my [no stars] for ** if you like, but it basically means the same thing--my understanding is that kids below *** weren't good enough to get an in depth rating by the national recruiting services.

[CrimsonCoug]

My prior is that the early signing day will work significantly against programs with staffs in transition, all else equal.

That said, I think it's interesting that 100% of the recruits that have come in so far are on the offensive side of the ball. Where are all of those defensive recruits that can't wait to play for Kalani and Tuiaki?

[EM_Puma]

My prior is that the early signing day will work significantly against programs with staffs in transition, all else equal.

That said, I think it's interesting that 100% of the recruits that have come in so far are on the offensive side of the ball. Where are all of those defensive recruits that can't wait to play for Kalani and Tuiaki?

It almost looks like they are trying to balance out the team with more palangis, which is surprising seeing as how many polys we have on staff.

[scott715]

http://bluecougarfootball.blogspot.com/ ... iting.html

Signing list.

[Mars]

Lots of OL, including a surprise 4-star kid from Minnesota. Thanks Grimes!

[frdbtr]

Is it sad that I really don't care who we signed today? First time since before Crowton where I didn't follow signing day.

[Fido]

I believe these are the proper statuses. Coaches indicated more class of 2018 were signed but would announce later with their teammates.

Mission first signings:
Talan Alfrey 6-3 185 DB Auburn, WA Auburn Mountainview HS
Campbell Barrington 6-7 275 OL Spokane, WA University HS
Tysen Lewis 6-5 235 OL North Ogden, UT Weber HS
Connor Pay 6-5 270 OL Highland, UT Lone Peak HS
Ben Tuipulotu 6-4 200 WR Fort Mill, SC Nation Ford HS

Joining team for Winter 2018 (Spring ball?):
Stacy Conner 6-5 190 QB Wylie, TX Wylie HS (Class of 2018)
Jeremiah Ieremia 6-1 250 LB Hurricane, UT Hurricane HS (RM)
Devin Kaufusi 6-6 240 LB Provo, UT Timpview HS (RM)
Harris LaChance 6-8 260 OL Herriman, UT Herriman HS (RM)
Hirkley Latu 6-3 230 LB Kahuku, HI Kahuku HS (RM)
David Lui 6-4 262 DL Pittsburg, CA Pittsburg HS (RM)
Skyler Southam 6-0 175 K Heber City, UT Wasatch HS (RM)

Class of 2018 for Fall Camp:
Brayden Cosper 6-4 200 WR South Jordan, UT Bingham HS
Brach Davis 6-1 170 DB Salt Lake City, UT Olympus HS
Isaac Matua 6-3 205 DB Kearns, UT Kearns HS
Oliver Nasilai 6-2 236 LB Jessieville, AR Jessieville HS
Chinonso Opara 6-8 236 DL Draper, UT Juan Diego HS
Jacob Smith 6-6 315 OL Rosemount, MN Rosemount HS

RMs joining for Fall Camp:
Clark Barrington 6-6 265 OL Spokane, WA University HS
JT Gentry 6-5 275 OL Littleton, CO Columbine HS
Jaren Hall 6-1 185 QB Spanish Fork, UT Maple Mountain HS
Drew Jensen 6-2 188 DB Salt Lake City, UT Brighton HS
Atunaisa Mahe 6-1 295 DL West Jordan, UT West Jordan HS
Darius McFarland 6-2 260 DL Brigham City, UT Box Elder HS
Max Tooley 6-2 190 DB Bountiful, UT Bountiful HS
Hank Tuipulotu 6-2 225 TE Fort Mill, SC Nation Ford HS

[Mars]

7 OL, 2 more QBs... and zero running backs?

[YNot]

It's possible that Grimes is looking for another RB after the Oglesby decommit. Rumors are that Oglesby's offer was pulled.

Even without any new RBs, looks like we will have 6 running backs on 2018 scholarships and 12 on the roster:

Canada (RS Sr)
Dye (RS Sr)
Fonua (RS Jr)
Burt (RS Jr)
Tolutau (So)
Finau (Fr)
Brayden El-Bakri (RS SR)[Walk-on]
Hall (RS Jr)[Walk-on]
Kafentzis (RS Jr)[Walk-on]
Bracken El-Bakri (Jr)[Walk-on]
Griffits (RS So)[Walk-on]
Katoa (RS Fr)[Walk-on]

Pretty similar to 2017 and 2016:

2017: Burt, Canada, Dye, Fonua, and Tolutau (5) on scholarship; 12 on the roster.
2016: Williams, Brown, Canada, Dye, Burt, and Fonua (6) on scholarship; 15 on the roster.

2019 roster:
4 on scholly and 9 on the roster. I'm sure we'll add 2 or 3 new RBs as part of the 2018 and 2019 classes.

Fonua (RS Sr)
Burt (RS Sr)
Tolutau (Jr)
Finau (RS Fr)
Hall (RS Sr)[Walk-on]
Kafentzis (RS Sr)[Walk-on]
Bracken El-Bakri (Sr)[Walk-on]
Griffits (RS Jr)[Walk-on]
Katoa (RS So)[Walk-on]

[Fido]

Katoa has been mentioned as one to watch for 2018.