Camp winding down
Final day of BYU’s non-pad camp Thursday and bodies were spread from fence to fence on the property east of Brigham’s Landing strip mall on University Parkway and University Avenue.
Two guys stood out. Maybe it was because they were hanging around near the entrance to the field when I arrived and others were doing drills. Class of 2010 prospect Jake Heaps, a QB from Washington who has 11 offers and Oregon receiver Mitch Mathews, a 6-4 senior (Class of 2009), who committed to BYU’s staff this week. At the portion of the camp Thursday morning I attended, Matthews and Heaps spent a lot of time together talking and then throwing to one another. Heaps’ father, Steve, joined in to throw some passes.
Bronson Kaufusi, a 2010 commit and prospect Richard Wilson (2009) (TE) from Spanish Fork were down the field working on a skill development portion of the camp.
It was interesting to talk to a mother of a Riverton High quarterback who is just a sophomore.
“This camp is the best,” she said. “It gives you everything, it’s a well-rounded presentation that deals not only with football, but the emotional, intellectual and spiritual aspect of what being an athlete is all about. We had 98 players here last week and all the coaches at our school were all here – this is an amazing camp and worth it.”
Needless to say, she has Bronco Vision and readily admits she and the Riverton folks are smitten. “Last year, the week of the BYU-Utah game, our coaches called and asked if they could come down and see practice and watch preparation for the week and they were granted access. Mendenhall saw them at that practice and yelled out, “Riverton,” come on down here, get in the huddle, be here.
“Another week, they called Utah during the week for the Colorado State game with the same request. They were told it was a closed practice, no access.
“What I couldn’t believe is that Mendenhall opened up his practice to Riverton’s players and coaches the week of that important game. I can’t say enough about the atmosphere here.”
OK, down, sister. Point taken.
In other camp news, Trevor Bateman, a 5-10, 170 pound defensive back from Palm Desert, Calif., accepted an offer from BYU to sign with the class of 2009 with Matthews. This brings to eight the number of oral commitments for February 2009. There are a handful of offers that remain on the table to other recruits for that class and it is expected those players will continue to participate in camps and make unofficial visits. Most are expected to make a decision before their own football two-a-days begin. BYU has a limited number of scholarships available for 2009 but could find some wiggle room with mission departures, gray shirts and other “adjustments” in the roster and get it from 15 into the 19 or 20 range.