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PROVO — The usual hum around the fax machine and celebratory videos from Twitter and Instagram were mooted on National Signing Day at BYU.
The Cougars, who signed 16 players during the early signing period just a few days before playing in the Boca Raton Bowl in December, didn't go out and get a lot of extra high school recruits between then and the traditional signing day Wednesday. That's good, since NCAA rules have marked most of the past year of the pandemic as a unique "recruiting dead period," with on-campus visits barred and contact limited to phone calls, text messages, Zoom calls and social media.
It's also good because the Cougars are under a well-documented scholarship crunch, one that could affect head coach Kalani Sitake's ability to bring in extra players for several years.
That's also the reason why seniors like linebacker Isaiah Kaufusi and tight end Kyle Griffitts elected to finish their collegiate careers after the 2020 season, which was played amid the coronavirus pandemic and therefore did not count as a year of eligibility for any player. (The Cougars also had a number of players declare early for the NFL draft, headlined by quarterback Zach Wilson, wide receiver Dax Milne and offensive tackle Brady Christensen).
Any returning seniors wouldn't have counted towards BYU's 85-man scholarship count, but they would have taken a spot on the 110-man roster — thus limiting the potential for newcomers and walk-ons for at least the next year.
While it may have been nice to have a player like Kaufusi or Khyiris Tonga, who has declared for the NFL draft and signed with an agent, to anchor the defense for another season, it's easy to see why they opted not to return. In reality, those players are doing the Cougars a long-term favor — even if they could've provided some short-term favors.
So the 16-player recruiting class will be the main focus of the newcomers in 2021. And while the 16 players are light on quantity, there's plenty of quality in the group — like convincing dynamic local pass rushers Logan Fano (Timpview) and John Henry Daley (Lone Peak) to stay home.
But the new class wasn't completely idle Wednesday, either.
BYU added 17 returning players, mostly missionaries for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, to the program on National Signing Day — a bevy of talent that includes players from as far back as the 2019 signing class.
Because many of them, like former Lehi tight end Dallin Holker, signed, played and/or joined the team prior to 2021, those numbers won't go against the Cougars' 25-player maximum for each signing day. But the new recruits will help replace a standout group of graduated seniors and early departures.
"We greatly appreciate the various sacrifices and service these players have given and are excited to welcome them back to our program," Sitake said. "They each delayed their enrollment after signing and will now be able to come and make an impact on our team in 2021. The players we signed in December in this year's recruiting class are talented football players who will also have a huge impact on our program. I'm really excited about the athletic ability of this group."
Here's a look at BYU's returning signees. Click here for the original 16-member early signing class.
Dallin Holker, TE, Lehi HS (Lehi, Utah)
Holker, who signed in 2018, played in all 13 games as a freshman in 2018, including two starts, totaling 235 yards on 19 catches. After serving a mission in Yakima, Washington, the 6-foot-5, 230-pound 5A MVP in 2017 will help fill the void of departed senior Matt Bushman as one of two tight ends in the fall.
Donovan Hanna, TE, American Leadership (Queen Creek, Ariz.)*
The other big tight end expected to contribute early is Hanna, the 6-foot-4, 230-pound Arizona native who played under former BYU quarterback and ALA offensive coordinator Max Hall in high school. A three-star prospect by 247 Sports, Hanna had 989 yards and 10 touchdown son 53 receptions as a senior, when he led the Patriots toa 14-1 record and the 3A state championship in 2016.
Ethan Erickson, TE, Kahuku HS (Laie, Hawai'i)
A three-star prospect by 247 Sports, Erickson played a variety of positions for the Red Raiders — even punter — before serving a mission in the Japan Tokyo South mission. The 6-foot-5, 225-pound Polynesian Bowl all star in 2018 is expected to play tight end after earning all OIA honors in both football and basketball.
Campbell Barrington, OL, University HS (Spokane, Wash.)*
The No. 11-rated recruit in Washington by ESPN, Barrington was a Greater Spokane League first-team selection in 2017, and will join his older brother Clark on the offensive line.
Brock Gunderson, OL, Cypress HS (Cypress, Texas)
The 6-foot-4, 265-pound three-time all-district offensive lineman is expected to return from a mission in El Salvador in July.
Tysen Lewis, OL, Weber HS (Eden, Utah)*
Previously coached by Weber State offensive coordinator Matt Hammer, Lewis was a first-team all-region and second-team all-state tackle and defensive end as a junior in 2016. The 6-foot-5, 270-pound lineman joined the team in January after a mission in Lima, Peru.
Chase Roberts, WR, American Fork HS (Highland, Utah)
A two-time 6A all-state selection and 2019 Under Armour All-American, Roberts totaled 3,709 yards and 40 touchdowns for the Cavemen, including back-to-back seasons of 1,000 yards before leading AF to the state title game as a senior in 2018. The 6-foot-4 Region 4 MVP will return this fall from a mission to Calgary, Alberta, where he learned Tagalog.
Cade Albright, DL, San Juan HS (Ladera Ranch, Calif.)
A California top-100 prospect by 247 Sports, Albright had 62 tackles, 19 sacks and 33 tackles for loss as a senior in 2018, when he earned Sea View League Defensive MVP honors. The 6-foot-5, 215-pound defensive lineman will return from a mission in March.
Talan Alfrey, DB, Auburn Mountainview HS (Auburn, Washington)*
The No. 18-rated recruit in Washington, Alfrey spent time at defensive back, receiver, running back, quarterback, kicker, punter and kick returner but will enroll as a defensive back at BYU. The 6-foot-3, 185-pound Alfrey recently returned from a mission and enrolled in January.
Michael Daley, LB, Lone Peak HS (Alpine, Utah)
The former 6A MVP in 2018 who posted 76 tackles, 40.5 tackles for loss and 24.5 sacks with four blocked punts as a senior, Daley joins younger brother Michael in this signing class after serving a two-year church mission. His father Neal and uncle David Nixon played linebacker at BYU, where Daley projects to carry on the family tradition.
Dean Jones, DB, American Leadership (Queen Creek, Ariz.)*
A three-star recruit by 247 Sports, Jones totaled 70 tackles with two tackles for loss and an interception as a senior at ALA in 2019, when he helped the Patriots to a 13-1 record and 3A state title. The 6-foot-2, 190-pound Phoenix native joined the Cougars as a grayshirt in 2020.
Josh Larsen, DL, Woods Cross HS (North Salt Lake, Utah)*
A three-star recruit by Rivals, 247 Sports and ESPN, Larsen had 48 tackles, an interception and two fumble recoveries as a senior for the Wildcats. The 6-foot-4, 230-pound lineman is the son of a former BYU pitcher and Cougarette, and joined the team last year following a two-year mission in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Brooks Maile, DL, Pine View HS (St. George, Utah)
A second-team All-State selection in 2018, Maile totaled 57 tackles as a junior and 63 as a sophomore before graduating high school early with an associates degree. The 6-foot-4, 285-pound lineman who also played rugby will join the Cougars following a church mission to Nuku'alofa, Tonga.
Isaac Matua, LB, Kearns HS (Kearns, Utah)*
A quarterback in high school, Matua threw for 1,219 yards and ran for 515 more with 19 touchdowns as a senior, helping the Cougars to a 17-5 record and 8-0 mark in league play over two seasons. The 6-foot-3, 205-pound mid-year enrollee joins BYU after serving a church mission in Madagascar.
Bruce Mitchell, DL, South Summit HS (Kamas, Utah)
The 6-foot-4, 265-pound lineman played both ways in leading South Summit to back-to-back 2A state titles in 2017 and 2018, but will join the Cougars as a defensive lineman after serving a church mission.
Fakaosi (Oliver) Nasilai, RB/LB, Jessieville HS (Hot Springs, Arkansas)*
The No. 13-rated prospect in Arkansas by 247 Sports, Nasilai totaled 101 tackles, 35 tackles for loss and seven sacks as a senior in 2017. The 6-foot-2, 245-pound two-way standout joined the Cougars after serving a church mission in Brazil.
John Nelson, DL, Salem Hills HS (Spanish Fork, Utah)*
A two-way lineman and 5A first-team all-state selection, Nelson totaled 50 tackles, 12 sacks, six tackles for loss and a fumble recovery that he returned for a touchdown as a senior for the Skyhawks. The 6-foot-4, 260-pound son of two Division I basketball players returned from a church mission during the coronavirus pandemic.
**Mid-year enrollee***
