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SALT LAKE CITY — The list reads like a who's who of college football, ranging from several superpowers in the biggest conferences to the sport's most storied program.
At 6-foot-5 and nearly 240 pounds, Salem Hills High star Porter Gustin has attracted scholarship offers from the likes of Ohio State, Florida State, several Pac-12 schools and Notre Dame. The trick now is to somehow create a manageable list and then decide in time before the February signing day.
"We really haven't even whittled it down yet," said John Gustin, Porter's father. "There's a lot of good options out there. It's going to be a tough decision on trying to finalize that list to a couple and take those official visits."
Arizona State coach Todd Graham took advantage of his team's bye week to watch Gustin play in person last Friday. Earlier in the week an Ohio State coach was at Salem Hills High. The parade of top coaches will go through the Gustin household once the upcoming in-home recruiting period begins.
Conspicuously absent from Gustin's list, especially considering his religious affiliation and high school's location in Utah County, is BYU. Given Ohio State coach Urban Meyer has given Gustin's father his personal cellphone with permission to call any time, it's hard to imagine that Bronco Mendenhall wouldn't be interested in offering a four-star recruit who is practically in BYU's backyard.
We really haven't even whittled it down yet. There's a lot of good options out there. It's going to be a tough decision on trying to finalize that list to a couple and take those official visits.
–John Gustin
Yet, it's true.
No scholarship offer is coming from BYU for Gustin, who projects as a linebacker in college. He also plays quarterback for Salem Hills.
Gustin's father said he last heard from BYU recruiting coordinator Geoff Martzen in March. Since then, at least two BYU assistant coaches have communicated with Salem Hills coach Joel Higginson about Gustin.
"I think it's pretty clear on both sides, that ship has sailed," his father said. "I don't imagine there will be one (a scholarship offer) down the road."
John Gustin has said BYU coaches indicated they had no available scholarships for any more linebackers, not even in 2017, the potential time Gustin would be ready to enroll if he follows through with his decision to serve a church mission.
Officially, no BYU coach can explain why Gustin doesn't have a scholarship offer. NCAA rules prohibit coaches from publicly commenting on recruitable athletes.
Perhaps privately, they have questioned Gustin's ability, and perhaps they don't believe he is fast enough to go sideline to sideline.
Utah and Utah State apparently have no such qualms. John Gustin said his son is still considering both schools.
"Utah is a fantastic program," John Gustin said. "They're in contention, as is Utah State. We enjoyed watching what coach (Matt) Wells did, coming into Provo as a 21-point underdog and put a game plan together and execute it (in the win over BYU)."
For now, Gustin is concentrating on his high school season. Salem Hills is 7-1, losing only to traditional powerhouse Timpview.
A multi-sport star, Gustin has been playing with broken bones in his wrist and probably will get surgery after the season. The plan is to return to play some time during his high school's basketball season.
In time, the tough decision will come.
"The nice part as a parent is knowing that there's so many good options out there it's going to be hard for him to go wrong," his father said.
"It's been an honor and privilege for Porter and I, and our whole family, to go through this process. We appreciate what all these coaches are doing, especially coach Higginson ... he's done a lot for Porter and this program out in Salem."
