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Provo • One glance at the 10-member staff Kalani Sitake has assembled at BYU and the emphasis is crystal clear for the new head coach.
It's recruiting.
Long on energy and passion, if short on experience, the new staff includes some of the best recruiters in the West, Sitake said.
With only five weeks, or a few days, in some cases — Sitake was hired on Dec. 19 to replace Virginia-bound Bronco Mendenhall — to solidify their first recruiting class, BYU coaches have worked around the clock in preparation for Wednesday's Signing Day.
And it could be the most dramatic Signing Day for BYU in recent memory. The Cougars are reportedly still in the running for several high-profile recruits, including some who have committed to schools such as Utah, Stanford and Oregon State.
"Coach Sitake and the other coaches, as they've been added to the staff, have been out working hard in recruiting," said new director of recruiting Tevita Ofahengaue. "There is a lot of excitement about our program and our new staff. We expect to sign a full class on signing day."
That means BYU will announce 25 signings, although 8-10 of those could be returned, or returning, missionaries. Ofahengaue said offensive and defensive linemen and linebackers were the most targeted position groups.
In the Mendenhall era, the Cougars mostly had their prospects wrapped up well before the first Wednesday in February, and the day lacked suspense and intrigue.
Not this year.
As of Friday afternoon, BYU was still in the running for five-star recruit Mique Juarez, the No. 1-ranked linebacker in the country according to some publications, and a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the faith that owns and operates BYU. Juarez, from North High in Torrance, Calif., visited Alabama last week, and is on his official visit to BYU this weekend, with his parents.
Juarez narrowed his choices last week to Ole Miss and UCLA, and Alabama is still in the picture, but getting him to visit BYU is seen as an accomplishment for Sitake, known as an ace recruiter in his stints as defensive coordinator at Utah and Oregon State.
BYU is battling Colorado for defensive end Keanu Saleapaga of La Mirada, Calif., a one-time USC commit who is also taking his official visit to Provo.
Another highly touted prep star, Brighton High receiver Simi Fehoko, committed to Stanford last summer, but was also in Provo this weekend. Fehoko's prep teammate, linebacker Jackson Kaufusi, committed to BYU on Wednesday.
A pair of Utah commits, Alema Pilimai, a linebacker from Tustin, Calif., and Cole Fotheringham, a tight end from San Clemente, visited BYU last weekend and are visiting Utah this weekend. East High OL Johnny Maea also holds offers from both programs.
The recruits, especially Kaufusi, have said Sitake's hiring has caused them to reconsider BYU.
Ilaisa Tuiaki, the new defensive coordinator, outlined the new staff's recruiting philosophy in early January.
"We are trying to do what is right for the players and trying to get the best fit," Tuiaki said. "We will go against anybody, and go and get the kids that we want, and that will fit in here. No matter who is recruiting them, we will go after them."
Even Alabama.
Twitter: @drewjay —
BYU recruits
Name Pos. Ht/Wt HS/Juco
Atunaisa Mahe NT 6-1/295 West Jordan HS
Committed to Cougars in August, will go on mission first
Jaren Hall QB 6-1/180 Maple Mountain HS
Son of former BYU RB Kalin Hall is a dual-threat QB
Skyler Southam K 6-1/180 Wasatch HS
U.S. Army All-American will go on mission first
Solofa Funa DE 6-1/220 Spanish Fork HS
Commitment held firm after overtures from Pac-12 schools
Aleva Hifo DB 5-11/180 Heritage HS (Calif.)
Also played receiver for his Menifee, Calif., high school team
Freddy Livai DE 6-3/250 A.B. Miller HS (Calif)
Also had offers from Colorado, Arizona State, Oregon State
Max Tooley DB 6-2/195 Bountiful HS
Held to commitment despite late offers from Utah, others
Troy Warner DB 6-2/185 Mission Hills HS (Calif.)
Brother of LB Fred Warner picked BYU over USC, Oregon
Keenan Pili LB 6-2/198 Timpview HS
Played in Semper Fi All-American All-Star Game
Drew Jensen DB 6-2/195 Brighton HS
Also played QB at Brighton; prep career hampered by injuries
Hank Tuipulotu TE 6-3/225 Nation Ford HS (S.C.)
Son of ex-BYU great Peter Tuipulotu offered by South Carolina
Darius McFarland DE 6-2/250 Box Elder HS
Also had offers from Army, Air Force, Wyoming
Jonah Trinnaman WR 6-0/185 Am. Fork HS/Snow Coll.
Speedster holding firm to commitment despite push from Utah
Handsome Tanielu DT 6-3/310 Snow College
Flipped from Utah to BYU when Cougars hired Kalani Sitake
Chris Wilcox DB 6/2/170 Eleanor Roosevelt HS (Calif.)
Committed after receiving offer during official visit last week
J.T. Gentry OL 6-5/260 Columbine HS (Colo.)
Named to the 5A All-State first-team by Colorado Preps
Clark Barrington DE 6-6/260 University HS (Wash.)
Spokane product started on OL/DL for three years
Lisala Tai DE6-7/310 Hawthorne HS (Calif.)
Another prospect BYU began recruiting when new staff arrived
Caden Haws OL 6-2/292 Pulaski Academy (Ark.)
Wanted to commit to former staff, but offer was pulled last Sept.
Jackson Kaufusi LB 6-1/185 Brighton HS
Surprise after leaving BYU off his final three favorites
Mack Richards WR 6-1/185 Alta HS/Hawaii
Signed with Hawaii, but changed his mind on church mission