Ifo Pili Jr. readily admits he’s barely played high school football. He was hurt during his freshman season last year and his coaches kept him out for most of the season.
Yet, the rising sophomore out of New Mexico left BYU’s summer camp last week with an offer in hand. Some would think it is early. Pili would probably agree.
“It was kind of a surprise just because I haven’t really, I guess, proven much on the field,” Pili said. “I do have highlight tapes here and there. But I didn’t even really play much.”
On the surface, BYU’s move to get in quickly on Pili doesn’t make much sense. He is unrated on most recruiting services and doesn’t have film. But if you look past the age and inexperience, the Cougars’ early offer tells a wider story about what this new defensive staff is trying to accomplish.
First, there is the size. Pili is 6-foot-4 and 210 pounds. It is the prototypical build for what BYU wants in a Big 12 linebacker. New linebackers coach Justin Ena has preached since arriving this winter that he needs players who are long and rangy. This offer is another indicator he is willing to bet on that athletic upside.
“It was really mostly my size,” Pili said of why he was offered this early. “I am 6-foot-4 and 210 pounds as a freshman. I guess that is an elite size for college athletics.”
And the second part of Pili’s recruitment is the connections. He grew up in Eagle Mountain before moving to New Mexico. He is the son of former BYU defensive lineman Ifo Pili.
Pili Jr. is cousins with Keenan and Trajan Pili. Keenan Pili was a team captain until he transferred to Tennessee this offseason. Trajan Pili played in 52 games across multiple seasons before graduating in 2019.
“I watched BYU every Saturday growing up,” Pili Jr. said. “I have always had contact with the [BYU] coaches with my dad being an alumni.”
Pili Jr. also has multiple people on staff he is either related to or grew up with. His uncle, Peter Esera, works in the travel department. His family is close with Jasen Ah You, now an associate athletic director. Peter Esera’s son, Siale Esera, just committed to BYU out of Timpview High School.
“I have a lot of family that lives 10 minutes away from campus,” Pili Jr. said. “I kind of grew up around campus, and both of my parents met there.”
With BYU as his first offer, it establishes an emerging pattern for this new defensive staff in targeting local and legacy recruits.
Just two weeks ago, BYU landed former Corner Canyon linebacker Harrison Taggart in the transfer portal out of Oregon. He was a highly rated player in BYU’s backyard, but never had an offer from the program under the previous staff.
Pili Jr. is still playing out his recruiting process. He’s had contact with Tennessee, where Keenan Pili will play next year. Pili Jr. might visit Knoxville in July. He also attended New Mexico State’s summer camp.
But there is no rush. He still has to get in a full season of high school football. But for BYU, this early offer says a lot.
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