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Provo • Will they stay or will they go?

That's the question a couple of BYU's best football players — juniors Kyle Van Noy and Cody Hoffman — find themselves answering this week as the Cougars continue preparations to face San Diego State in the Poinsettia Bowl on Dec. 20.

The linebacker and the receiver are trying to decide whether they will return to BYU for their senior seasons, or declare for April's NFL Draft.

Both players said this week they will wait until after the bowl game to decide.

Of the two, Van Noy seems the most likely to leave, considering that he's asked the NFL Draft Advisory Board for an opinion on the likely demand for his services.

"I am still waiting for my evaluation as well as getting through school right now, and focusing on the bowl game," Van Noy said Wednesday. "When that gets all taken care of, then I will re-evaluate my decision when I go home [to Reno, Nev.] and talk to my parents."

Asked whether he will turn pro if word comes back that he will be picked in the first three rounds, Van Noy said that could be a factor, but not the overriding one.

"You put all things into consideration," he said.

Outside linebacker coach Kelly Poppinga said Van Noy's draft analysis "will be a huge indicator of what he is going to do ... but I don't think his mind is made up."

Poppinga said the fact that Van Noy is "busting his butt to make sure he is passing all his classes, and getting good grades" tells him the All-American linebacker is keeping his bases covered in case he does return to school.

As for Hoffman, the Cougars' leading receiver said Tuesday he is "50-50 right now" regarding the decision. However, Hoffman said he has not asked the advisory board for an evaluation and hasn't really discussed the option with coaches all that much.

"Once the season is over, we will find out more on how it goes," he said.

All-Independent Team

Fifteen Cougars made Phil Steele's Postseason All-Independent first and second teams. Notre Dame had 19 players selected, while Army and Navy had 10 each.

BYU's first-teamers are Hoffman and lineman Braden Hansen on offense and defensive end Ezekiel Ansah, linebackers Van Noy and Brandon Ogletree and defensive backs Jordan Johnson and Daniel Sorensen on defense. Punter Riley Stephenson and kick returner JD Falslev made the special teams first team.

BYU's second-teamers are offensive players Jamaal Williams, Kaneakua Friel, Ross Apo and Braden Brown and defenders Preston Hadley and Romney Fuga.

Twitter: @drewjay —

Poinsettia Bowl

P BYU vs. San Diego State

Where • At Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego

When • Thursday

TV • ESPN