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It sounds like BYU defensive lineman Logan Taele has a big decision to make.

Taele, the 6-foot-2, 293-pounder from St. George, is listed as a senior on BYU's roster. However, Taele still has a year of eligibility remaining because he didn't actually play in a game in 2012 (his freshman season, as it were) when he was a member of the scout team.

BYU officials apparently were not aware that Taele did not play at all in a game that year, which is why they've been listing him as a senior instead of a redshirt junior.

Defensive line coach Steve Kaufusi confirmed Tuesday that Taele is trying to decide whether he will return or not. Kaufusi even did a little bit of lobbying in hopes of persuading Taele to come back.

The D-line is losing Bronson Kaufusi and Graham Rowley to graduation and already lost Remington Peck to the offense (tight end). Peck is also a senior.

Taele "s thinking about it now, because he does have a year [of eligibility remaining] back. They thought he played one year, but he didn't," Steve Kaufusi said. "So I am on his ear all the time [saying], 'hey, come back. We are going to have a great group next year.' So I put in my two cents. I hope he comes back. We could really use him. We are looking to recruit a junior college kid that could come in and help us. But if we get Logan back, that's just a bonus. Now we can get a real 3-4, three nose guard-type. In 2012, we had that a little bit. So I hope he does.

I am being nice to him right now just so I can get him back."

Rowley, from Waialua, Hawaii, spoke eloquently on Monday about the bond that the seniors on the defensive line have and said he will miss every one of them when he moves on.

"It is really cool," Rowley said. "I am super jealous of the juniors and sophomores that are coming back. I mean, what I would do to trade places with them, to be able to play one more year, two more years. Like gosh, I mean, it is unbelievable. It is really cool playing with Bronson. He is an amazing football player, an amazing person.

Remington, he has done great things. He is doing great things at tight end.

Logan, we are not sure about his situation. But this could be his last year. You know his story, he came from being a walk on, being cut, to being a starter and being one of the most stout players I have ever seen.

It is amazing. It is cool being with these guys. I wouldn't rather be with another group of people than those guys in the D-line room."

Mendenhall said Monday that Bronson Kaufusi will go out as one of the best examples of a well-rounded BYU football player in his 11 years at the helm, giving the senior some of the highest praise the coach has ever dished out.

"Oh man, Bronson, that was one of the best games I have seen a defensive player play [vs. Mizzou]," Mendenhall said. "I mean, he was all over the place, and he played so hard, and tried with every thing he had to win that game. He was making plays down field, up field and sideways. He is so versatile.

And then in the meantime he is encouraging his teammates and is so optimistic. He is everything that I would want in a BYU football player, and I've had great players that struggled with the standards here, and I have had guys that have lived the standards but struggled on the field, and he is great in all circumstances. He's the perfect BYU player."

Told about Mendenhall's praise, Kaufusi called it a "huge" compliment.

"Growing up here, coming to the games, idolizing guys like Jan Jorgensen. To me, he's the ideal football player. Guys like Bryan Kehl, John Beck, Jonny Harline, all those guys. For me, I want to keep being that guy, keep working hard, being gritty, putting in the extra time, all those things add up and will help me to be a better BYU football player."