BYU football cautiously announces midyear enrollees like Bingham's Torre


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PROVO — BYU announced midyear enrollees and returning missionaries for its football program last Friday, a list that includes four-star defensive back Troy Warner (brother of current BYU linebacker Fred Warner) and Bingham High quarterback Keaton Torre.

But the announcement caught head coach Bronco Mendenhall off-guard.

"When I was told that we were announcing our midyear signees, I didn't think we could," Mendenhall told local media Monday. "I made sure we checked with compliance. But I assume we're good now. I think it's relatively new, though. Since we've already done it, I hope we're good."

Mendenhall was referring to NCAA regulations that prevent coaches from commenting on unsigned recruits before signing day. But the news Friday came after Warner and Torre, along with returned missionary newcomers Austin McChesney and Tanner Jacobson, had signed "offers of admission," which also seems to be a new mechanism in BYU's football offices.

Mendenhall consented after checking with the Cougars' compliance staff, adding his name to a statement from the university in the announcement.

Bingham quarterback Keaton Torre hands off to Jahvontay Smith as Bingham High School plays Bishop Gorman High School (Nev.) the consensus top-ranked program in football program in America, Sept. 4, 2015, in South Jordan. (Photo: Tom Smart, Deseret News)
Bingham quarterback Keaton Torre hands off to Jahvontay Smith as Bingham High School plays Bishop Gorman High School (Nev.) the consensus top-ranked program in football program in America, Sept. 4, 2015, in South Jordan. (Photo: Tom Smart, Deseret News)

"Troy is one of the most dynamic and explosive athletes in the country at the high school level, and we love the way Keaton throws the ball," Mendenhall said in the school release. "Troy comes from a fantastic family and is extremely versatile — he could play cornerback, safety or wide receiver.

"Keaton can make every throw, and we are excited about the potential he brings to our program. In addition to Troy and Keaton, we are looking forward to welcoming Tanner and Austin and seven other returning missionaries in January."

The announcement also caught quarterbacks coach Jason Beck off-guard. Beck has been one of the coaches recruiting Torre, who previously committed to Louisville before accepting a scholarship offer from BYU. When asked about Torre on Tuesday, Beck responded that he "assumed we can talk about him, since the announcement."

He likes what he's seen from the 6-foot-4, 210-pound Torre, a three-star pro-style quarterback by rivals.com.

"He has good fundamentals and a really great arm strength; he has one of the better arms you will see at the high school level," Beck said of Torre, whose cousin Yoeli Childs has also committed to the BYU basketball program. "He can really throw it around."

Torre has completed 48 percent of his pass attempts as a senior in 2015 for the Miners, throwing for 385 yards and four touchdowns with two interceptions, but he has split time with sophomore Matt Degn since a win over West Jordan on Sept. 11. Degn leads the Miners with 734 yards on 44-of-72 passing with nine touchdowns and three interceptions.

"He's a smart kid, carries himself with a lot of poise, presence and leadership," Beck said of Torre, who he added does not plan to serve a two-year LDS Church mission. "And all those qualities are intangibles and what we loved about him. He'll be a great fit at BYU."

Torre's recruitment as a BYU passer didn't change after senior quarterback Taysom Hill went down with a Lisfranc injury in the season-opener, potentially giving the Pocatello, Idaho, native a medical redshirt. Hill has not made a decision about a potential return to BYU or college football.

But Beck said the coaching staff moved forward as it always does, signing one quarterback who plans to serve a mission and one who does not.

"We'll stay with that strategy," Beck said. "If Taysom comes back, we'll have to figure out a spot to get that scholarship. We'll find that for him, though."

Maple Mountain quarterback Jaren Hall has committed to BYU, but the son of former BYU running back Jalen Hall plans to serve a mission immediately after high school.

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