I Want You

...to get to work now. That's what many collegiate football coaches across the country now are telling their recent recruits. Many of you are well aware that this past wednesday was the national letter of intent day. Young impressional student athletes across the nation placed their name on the dotted line announcing their commitment. The Cougs snagged 21 of these fine young athletes. With the jerseys in blue coming off their third consecutive ten win (or more) season there is much optimism for the Cougs bright future. Yes, they may have "whiffed" on some of the big names (Manti, Xavier, Filiaga, etc) but overall this committed Cougar class fills some needs, adds some depth and may be one of the strongest in recent years. Besides what are stars? Bryan Kehl (now with the New York Giants) was only 2 stars. One of the Cougs finest running back Curtis Brown was listed as only 1 star. Current starter Harvey Unga was scratched down with 2 stars when he signed. On the other side of the coin Ben Olsen, Ofa Mohetau and no show Walt Williams were all listed as 5 stars as examples. We all know how those turned out. Never played a down for the Cougs (don't forget 4 star Magnum Mauga).

This years addition to the Cougar den includes...

Lee Aguirre 5-9/200DB Fullerton Junior College
Terry Alletto 6-4/280OL Parker CO
Jordan Atkinson 6-3/225LB Diablo Valley JC
Trevor Bateman 5-111/185DB Palm Desert CA
Craig Bills 6-2/200DB Provo UT (Timpview HS)
Thomas Bryson 6-5/230DE Layton UT
Tui Crichton 6-4/290OL Provo UT (Timpview HS)
Jray Galea'i 6-0/185DB Kahuku HS
Anthony Heimuli 5-11/225RB Orem UT (Mountain View HS)
Adam Hine 6-1/175RB Santa Clara (Snow Canyon HS)
Cody Hoffman 6-4/200WR Crescent City CA
Brian Logan 5-9/185DB Football Junior College
Peni Maka'afi 5-10/215RB Layton UT
Mitch Matthews6-5/195WR Beaverton OR
Ryan Mulitalo 6-4/290OL West Valley (Hunter HS)
Remington Peck 6-5/222TE South Jordan (Bingham HS)
Brett Thompson 6-3/210WR El Dorado Hills CA
Fono Vakalahi 6-4/320OL Bryan TX
Kyle Van Noy 6-4/210LB Reno NV
Brad Wilcox 6-7/265OL Edmond OK
Richard Wilson 6-3/222TE Spanish Fork

Definately a great group of kids overall with some wonderful future potential. One can't forget that some of this year's incoming also includes (whether via transfers, missions, requalified, etc)...

Robbie Buckner 5-10/165DB Ashdown AR
Romney Fuga 6-2/280DL Huntington Beach CA
McKay Jacobsen 6-0/185WR Southlake TX
Aveni Leung-Wai 6-1/220LB Grossmont JC
Devin Mahina 6-6/225TE Upland CA
Marcus Matthews 6-4/200WR Beaverton OR
Riley Nelson 6-1/195QB Logan UT
Brandon Ogletree 6-0/215 McKinney TX
Riley Stephenson 6-0/175PK St George UT
Houston Reynolds 6-3/295OL Provo (Timpview HS)
Malosi Teo 5-11/195RB Kahuku HI
Manase Tonga 6-1/230RB San Mateo CA

MWC 2008 Team

With the season over, the lights turned off, the yewts fresh off their Sugar Bowl victory, and Collie headed to the next level now is as good of a time to announce the 4th & 18 version of this years All MWC Team. As follows...

Coach Of The Year (Kyle Whittingham) Utah
QB Brian Johnson (6.1/205 SR) Utah
RB Gartrell Johnson (6.0/225 SR) CSU
RB Devin Moore (5.10/190 SR) Wyoming
WR Austin Collie (6.2/205 JR) BYU
WR Ryan Wolfe (6.1/205 JR) UNLV
TE Dennis Pitta (6.5/250 JR) BYU
OL Ray Feinga (6.5/330 SR) BYU
OL Blake Schlueter (6.3/275 SR) TCU
OL Zane Beadles (6.4/310 JR) Utah
OL Robert Conley (6.1/315 SR) Utah
DL Matt Panfil (6.2235 SR) TCU
DL Paul Kruger (6.5/255 SO) Utah
DL Jan Jorgensen (6.3/255 JR) BYU
DL Jerry Hughes (6.2/250 JR) TCU
LB Jason Phillips (6.1/235 SR) TCU
LB Stevenson Sylvestor (6.2/220 JR) Utah
LB Robert Henson (6.1/230 SR) TCU
DB Brice McCain (5.9/190 SR) Utah
DB Stephen Hodge (6.0/21 SR) TCU
DB Deandre Wright (5.11/195 SR) New Mexico
DB Sean Smith (6.3/215 JR) Utah
PK Louis Sakoda (5.10/175 SR) Utah
PR/KR Jeremy Kerley (5.10/185 SO) TCU

Hats off to Kyle Whittingham who has continued the yewt success over 8 straight bowl games and 2 BCS bowl victories winning the Bryant Coach of the year award in the process. Yewt quarterback Brian Johnson performed admirably all year while staying healthy. In fact, Johnson lit up the nations #3 defense in a hostile environment answering all questions throwing for 336 yards and 3 TDs. Colorado State back Gartrell Johnson put his finishing touches on a great senior year (1476 rushing yards with 285 coming from the New Mexico Bowl alone). In 2006 Ryan Wolfe was a freshman All American and showed again why with over 1000 receiving yards and 6 TDs this season. Senior DeAndre Wright finished his career and third season as the full time starter ans strength of the Lobo defense. Definately will be interesting to see what next year will hold in store for the Cougs as well as the conference.

Reno In Provo

While hosting numerous potential recruits this weekend the Cougars received its latest commitment from Reno Nevada in Kyle Van Noy, one of the top linebackers in the west and 9th rated overall (per scout.com). Kyle helped lead his team (McQueen High School) to a state title with a perfect 14-0 record. The 6.4/200 four star linebacker registered 79 tackles (55 solo), 14 sacks, caused 6 fumbles, 4 fumbles recovered and even included 8 deflected passes while maintaining a 3.5GPA in the classroom. Van Noy is a beast with a motor that doesn't stop. Kyle should be a warm welcome to the jerseys in blue defense. Apparently he squats 350, benches 255 and has a 32 inch vertical. Van Noy was receiving interest from UCLA, Colorado, Arizona State, among others besides the Cougs. In the end he will wear the Cougar blue and I'll be looking forward to see him striding in style onto the field.

White Out Sell Out

Off to its best start in eight seasons the #6 ranked visiting Wake Forest (12-0) Demon Deacons will square off in a sell out at the Marriott Center local time 6PM. With no remaining seats available for the rest of us the "game seats" will be seen on "The Mtn" and radio coverage on 1160AM. According to the ESPN power poll WF is ranked #5 while the jerseys in blue are at #24. There will be over 20 scouts present to witness the white out as the Cougs continue to ride the nations longest home streak at 53. Although the Cougs are favored by 3 (per vegasinsider.com) the jerseys in blue will definately have their hands full. The demon deacons have 6 players 6'8 or taller and it shows as Wake Forest is in the top 5 nationally in RPG and in the rebounding margin. The deacons are a young team but have an immense amount of talent. Of the core players there are 2 juniors, 2 sophomores and 1 freshman. They are led by sophomore Jeff Teague (6.2G) who is averaging 18.8/game. Al-Farouq Aminu (6.8F) has all the tools and talent to play small forward at the next level. Aminu is dropping 12.9 points per game as a freshman and while clearing 9.1 boards per matchup. The other sophomore is James Johnson (6.8F) who averages 12.8 and 7.7 rebounds per game. At center is seven foot junior Chas McFarland who barely left the bench under Skip Prosser yet now averages 10.3 with 6.6 rebounds. If the Cougs can play some solid defense, find a way to clear the boards/work the paint and drop a few threes I definately like our chances.