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Provo • Two weeks ago, as the race to get commitments from members of the 2015 recruiting class headed down the home stretch, BYU recruiting coordinator Geoff Martzen predicted drama and volatility for the Cougars before Wednesday's Signing Day.

Well, it is happening.

Like almost every staff around the country, BYU's coaches are nervous, hopeful and playing the waiting game as the last few prospects they've courted for months, even years, prepare to make their final decisions.

As of Monday afternoon, the Cougars had 17 known commitments. That number doesn't include the four transfers who have already signed and were announced two weeks ago: Squally Canada, Eric Takenaka, Jackson Kaka and Kamel Greene.

Nor does it include two Utah prep products who committed to BYU long ago — Hurricane linebacker Jeremiah Ieremia and Northridge defensive back Dayan Lake—- who are reportedly wavering, with Ieremia also considering Utah State and Lake having reopened his recruitment in mid-January.

Safety Khari Vanderbilt of San Jose (Calif.) City College committed to BYU last June, but recently visited Utah State and is also uncertain.

"I think there are 7-8 guys that are either going to decide on Signing Day, or are going to decide here in the next two weeks that I think we are at least 50-50 on, so it could be fun," Martzen said.

While BYU could be losing commits in the next day or two, it has also been the beneficiary of a couple late flips. The Cougars just held their annual recruiting weekend that includes a snowmobiling trip to the Sundance area, and came out of it with three new commitments.

Most notably, offensive lineman Jacob Jimenez of Plugerville, Texas, who committed to Oregon State last summer, has switched his commitment to BYU. Bountiful offensive lineman Brady Christensen also flipped to BYU during the weekend visit, after having previously committed to Air Force.

Trevor Brent, a 5-foot-10, 180-pound defensive back from Mesquite, Texas, committed to the Cougars as well on Saturday, turning down offers from Yale and Boise State.

Jimenez and Brent were the fourth and fifth Texans to commit to BYU. With receivers coach Guy Holliday having key contacts in the Lone Star State, especially the Dallas-Fort Worth area, the Cougars targeted that state the past few months. Receiver Akile Davis of DeSoto, receiver/quarterback Micah Simon of Dallas and running back Charles West of Coppell have also picked BYU recently.

"The best high school football in the country is played in Dallas, Texas, and we expect to pull a handful of kids out of there this year, which will be huge for us," Martzen said.

Another focus for BYU was building depth on its offensive line. The Cougars received a commitment Monday night from offensive guard J.J. Nwigwe of Rockwall-Heath High School in Texas and were still in the running for Zach Hoyt of Salem, Va. —

Key BYU recruits

Charles West • Running back, 5-9/187, Coppell High School (Texas); committed to BYU on Jan. 19 after also receiving offers from San Diego State, SMU.

Kieffer Longson • Offensive tackle, 6-7/300, Dougherty Valley High School (Calif.); BYU's only four-star recruit will serve an LDS Church mission before enrolling.

Akile Davis • Receiver, 6-2/188, DeSoto High School (Texas); ranked as the 23rd best receiver in Texas, recruited by receivers coach Guy Holliday.

Tevita Mounga • Defensive tackle, 6-2/290, Vista Murrieta High School (Calif.); chose BYU over offers from Washington, Utah, Colorado and Arizona.

Kody Wilstead • Quarterback, 6-5/215, Pine View High School (Utah); pocket passer expected to serve an LDS Church mission before enrolling.

Eric Takenaka • Safety, 6-0/205, West High School/Snow College (Utah); will compete immediately for both open starting safety positions.