Provo » Never a big fan of college football recruiting Web sites and the way they rank players and recruiting classes, BYU coach Bronco Mendenhall found himself in agreement with them as he announced the names of 26 high school seniors who signed with the Cougars on Wednesday.

With no surprise additions or subtractions from the list of commitments reported in the weeks leading up to the start of football's early signing period, Mendenhall said the class of 2010 is probably the best he has signed in his six years as BYU's head coach.

"It is hard to say before they play. But if you were to say based on athleticism, size and speed, and academics and character -- when you put all our criteria together -- I think it is [the best class]," he said. "I hope it is verified by how we play, and how these kids play over their five years. But I would judge it by saying on the field, yes, off the field, I would say yes."

Mendenhall made a point of also listing the 12 players who have recently returned from LDS Church missions, or are currently serving, who will join the team this fall. That addition, coupled with the players who signed Wednesday, "means there aren't any real holes or areas that haven't been filled."

Recruiting coordinator Paul Tidwell agreed with his boss, calling the 2010 crop "the fastest, most athletic" group the Cougars have ever signed.

Of course, the crown jewel is Jake Heaps, the heavily recruited quarterback from Issaquah, Wash., who has already enrolled so he can compete for the starting position vacated by Max Hall in spring camp. Texas receiver Ross Apo, La Habra, Calif., running back Josh Quezada and Timpview defensive end Bronson Kaufusi are also considered big gets for BYU.

"I think we've addressed our needs quite well, in looking at our class, and looking at players that have graduated from our program, and looking at missionaries coming home," Mendenhall said.

Scout.com, which generally looks more favorably on BYU's recruits than the other two major services, ranks the Cougars' class as the 22nd best in the country. Rivals.com had BYU at No. 40, while ESPN.com had the Cougars at No. 24.

"Really, that has no bearing on us," Mendenhall said of the national respect this class is getting, but he did give the "star system" some credence by noting that BYU landed 10 of the top 16 highest-rated players in the state of Utah.

The coach said 20 of the players who signed Wednesday have indicated they plan on going on church missions; five will go before they enroll, but he did not specify which five.

Mendenhall acknowledged he had a player de-commit to BYU for just the third time in his tenure, Hawaii defensive end Kona Schwenke (who signed with Notre Dame). Schwenke committed to BYU last July, but his scholarship offer was rescinded when he decided to make a visit to Notre Dame.

"A commitment is a commitment no matter how it comes to me, and I don't expect any other visits, nor any other interest in any other school," he said, confirming that it has been his policy "since Day One."

drew@sltrib.com

BYU's 2010 signees:

Already enrolled