BYU lands Notre Dame transfer at TE; Lone Peak QB Gunther accepts preferred walk-on spot


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PROVO — Former Notre Dame tight end Tyler Luatua announced his intentions to transfer to BYU via Twitter on Monday, just a day before new football coach Kalani Sitake was set to sign his first recruiting class in Provo.

Due to NCAA transfer regulations, Luatua will sit out the 2016 season and be available beginning in 2017. After using a redshirt, he will have two years to play two seasons. He'll finish the spring semester at Notre Dame, and then depart for Provo, according to a statement from the Luatua family.

Want thank ND and the coaches for giving me the opportunity to play here! Excited to announce that I will transfer to BYU in the Fall! #BYU — Tyler Luatua (@Luatua13) February 2, 2016

Luatua played in 20 of 26 games during a two-year career for the Irish, but the only official stat he registered was a 6-yard kickoff return. Missing time with concussion-related ailments in both seasons, Luatua also played primarily as a second tight end in Brian Kelly's offense.

Luatua played in 10 games as a freshman in 2014 in the multiple tight end sets that didn't involve him receiving and passing. The 6-foot-2, 255-pound former four-star recruit was the 38th-rated high school player in the country by CBS Sports and 107th by ESPN.

A second-team member in the Long Beach Press-Telegram 2013 Football Dream Team, Luatua played tight end and linebacker. He registered 33 catches for 412 yards and four touchdowns as a senior at La Mirada High in Paramount, California, and played alongside older brother Isaac, an offensive lineman at Alabama.

Lone Peak quarterback takes preferred walk-on role at BYU

Lone Peak quarterback Talmage Gunther runs with the ball during the 5A semifinal football game against Bingham at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City, Nov. 13, 2015. (Photo: Kristin Murphy, Deseret News)
Lone Peak quarterback Talmage Gunther runs with the ball during the 5A semifinal football game against Bingham at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City, Nov. 13, 2015. (Photo: Kristin Murphy, Deseret News)

Lone Peak quarterback Talmage Gunther led the Knights to one of the greatest turnaround seasons in recent Utah high school football history.

For that, he'll get to continue his college career in Provo.

Gunther accepted an invitation to join Sitake and BYU football as a preferred walk-on, multiple sources have confirmed to KSL. The news was first reported by the Deseret News.

Lone Peak QB Talmage Gunther has verbally committed to BYU as a preferred walk-on. — Jeff Call (@AJeffreyCall) February 2, 2016

Gunther also had interest from Utah State, Duke, Dartmouth and Southern Utah, among others.

After struggling to a 5-6 record in 2014, including a 3-3 record in Region 4 play, Gunther took control of the Knights and led them to an undefeated regular season and the Class 5A state final a year later. Lone Peak finished the year 13-1, with a 6-0 record in region play and its only loss of the season coming in the championship game to region rival Herriman.

Gunther threw for 2,327 yards as a senior with 34 touchdowns to just five interceptions. He also ran for 908 yards and nine scores.

Gunther finished his two-year varsity career with a prolific 3,589 passing yards, 45 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.

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