This is the first installment leading up to Letter of Intent Day evaluating BYU recruiting classes since 1996.

Ben Archibald OL Gearhart, Oregon
Archibald was a stellar OT for three seasons, received 2nd Team All-MWC honors in 2001. In the Fall Camp of 2002, Archibald suffered a severe knee injury that ended his season. Archibald applied for a medical redshirt year and didn't receive it.  Currently with the New Orleans Saints practice squad.

Brant Diediker LB Newbury Park, California
Redshirted in the '96 season then after the season left the team.

Brock Diediker FB Newbury Park, California
Twin brother to Brant. Same situation as Brant left the team after the '96 season.

Chris Ellison DB, El Camino JC
Ellison was a tough physical Safety who had an immediate impact right away in his career. Had 93 tackles and one Interception his Junior season in '96. In '97 expected to have a big Senior year but suffered a season ending ACL the first defensive series of the year against Washington and he redshirted that season. In '98 had another great year with 86 tackles.

Not Staley, Doman, or Mahe but Justin Ena was the cover boy heading into the 2001 season.

Justin Ena LB Shelton, Washington
Ena played four straight years for the Cougars at the Middle Linebacker position. Ena had three seasons ('99-'01) as a All-MWC selection. Recorded 279 tackles in his career with BYU. In 2002, drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the 7th round of the NFL Draft. Ena played in 2002-2003 with the Eagles, then joined the Titans in 2004. In 2005, Ena signed a 2-year contract with the Eagles again. Also a significant contributor to the Eagles special teams unit. Solid Career.

Brett Engemann QB Provo
Highly recruited coming out of Timpview High. Engemann never lived up to the hype though. Redshirted the '96 season. Engemann came back from his mission in '99, and right off lost some respect from his Cougar teammates. Engemann refused to participate in the annual tradition of the Freshman shaving their hair off, earning him the title of "Pretty Boy" long before Brady Quinn.  Engemann finally had his chance in 2000 to take over for the departed Kevin Feterik. At Virginia, Engemann led the Cougars to a 2nd half comeback to get the win over the Cavaliers in OT (38-35), but things didn't go as smooth after that with a season-ending injury during the Syracuse game. In 2001, sat out due to the success of Brandon Doman. In 2002, was given the nod once again to be the starter. Had a solid game against Syracuse but his continus inconsistent play forced Crowton to share time with Lance Pendleton and Matt Berry. Engemann after the 2002 season decided the NFL Draft and on the Pro Day got in an altercation with DE C.J. Ah You, with Ah You punching him in the face.
Engemann's career was a major bust.

Markis Ervin DB Waco, Texas
Just another Defensive Back that never enrolled.

Ben Horton WR Lake Elsinore, CA
A.K.A. "Hollywood" Horton was a nice possession receiver in his four years. Recorded 1,218 yards receiving in his career.

Margin Hooks WR Waco, TX
Other than his fellow Waco, TX counterpart (Ervin), Hooks went on to have an impressive career at BYU. Hooks finished 2nd in BYU's all-time career receiving yards list with 2,841 only behind Eric Drage. Hooks signed a Free Agent contract with the Miami Dolphins but didn't make the roster and wasn't seen in the NFL since. Hooks was one of BYU's best WRs to ever play in Provo.

Kevin Feterik QB Los Alamitos, CA
Was the reserve behind Sarkisian in '96, had a TD pass against Utah State, the first True Freshman to throw for a TD pass since Ty Detmer. Part of a QB battle in '97 with Paul Shoemaker, after that Fall Camp that year was placed as the reserve, that didn't last long though. Shoemaker's lack of performance in the opener against Washington gave Feterik the nod mid-way through that game and he took over the spot for the next three seasons. Feterik was a very good route-reading QB, but his major downfall was the lack of arm strength. Feterik did lead BYU to two bowl games in 98 (Liberty: Tulane), 99 (Motor City: Marshall). Received First Team All-MWC honors in the first seson of the league. Had 8,065 passing yards and a 22-14 record as the starter. After BYU, had a career in the CFL with the Ottawa Renegades.  The best moment with Feterik was the '99 Washington game, the first with the infamous "Bib" uniforms.

Ronney Jenkins  RB  Port Hueneme, California
Big-Time Recruit.  Part of a outstanding one-two punch backfield in 1996 with Brian McKenzie.  Jenkins earned WAC Freshman of the Year honors and major contributor that went 14-1 and went to the Cotton Bowl.  In '97 Jenkins broke the Honor Code forcing him to redshirt that season.  Returned in '98 and set the single-game rushing yards record against San Jose State with 250 yards.  Jenkins for 1,307 yards that season, putting him over 2,000 in 2 seasons with the Cougars.  In 1999 Jenkins once again broke the HC and was forced out of school.  Jenkins then transferred to Northern Arizona for one season and then entered the NFL Draft.  Jenkins went to the San Diego Chargers and then to the Oakland Raiders.  Jenkins was a contributor in the Kick Return game.
Jenkins if he wouldn't have broke the HC would have shattered BYU's rushing records, but instead made some bad decisions and his Cougar career was cut off short.
Currently, Jenkins owes a man over $2,000, sad life for someone who had a stint in the NFL and could have been a BYU legend.

Jason Loerzel  WR  Park Ridge, Illinois
Never showed up due to a NCAA clearinghouse mistake.  Ended up at Purdue and was a reserve his entire career.

Jason Keo RB, Hauula, HI
Never played for the Cougars because he died in a car accident the summer leading up to the season.

Brian McKenzie RB, Arizona Western JC
McKenzie was an under the radar JUCO player who had an impressive two years at BYU. In his short two years, McKenzie ran for 1,954 yards and 23 Touchdowns. McKenzie's best performance was against Utah in '96. McKenzie were a great 1-2 tandem for that '96 season. McKenzie deserves to be in the discussion as one of the best RBs in BYU's history.

Michael Madsen  S  Littleton, Colorado
Saw limited time in his three seasons.  Recorded 38 tackles

John Moala  TE  Carrollton, Texas
Redshirted in 96.  After the football season, joined Tony Ingle's 1-25 Cougar basketball team along with other football player Tyrone Brown.  Switched to Offensive line in 97 and after the season quit the program.

Omarr Morgan CB, El Camino JC
A.K.A. "The Blanket" Morgan was the immediate shut down corner BYU wanted when they signed him. The Blanket's most epic interception was against Kansas State in the Cotton Bowl to seal the win and a 14 win season. The Blanket and Tim McTyer were one of the best Cornerback tandems BYU has ever seen. Morgan was a two-time First Team All-WAC performer. Morgan went on to be a great player for the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the CFL.

Andrew Ord  RB  Rancho Santa Fe, California
Never saw time at RB, switched to WR and played three seasons at the position.

Larry Moeaki  OL  Warrenville, Illinois
Stayed two seasons then quit the program due to lack of playing time.  His younger brother currently plays for Iowa (Larry) and was a highly touted player who was recruited by BYU.

Back in his days at BYU Olsen was causing havoc on opposing QBs, now during BYU games he is seen at Disney On Ice.

Hans Olsen  DL  Weiser, Idaho
Didn't see much playing time until the 1999 season.  During that season was a dominant force on the inside of the D-line.  Earned 2nd Team All-MWC honors in 2000.  Olsen and Chris Hoke were a dynamic duo on the inside of the Cougar D-line.
Olsen is currently playing with the AFL's Utah Blaze and is one of the top players of that franchise. Olsen also does talk radio for 1280 the Zone where it was revealed he went to a Disney on Ice concert instead of watch the BYU-Wyoming game this past season.

Danny Robinson  LB  Thornton, Colorado
Redshirted in '96.  During the 1997 season broke the Honor Code and never returned to the program.

Will Snowden RB, Louisville, CO
Snowden was very highly recruited by schools all over the nation but never lived up to his hype. Only rushed for 273 yards in his career.

Chris Watkins  DL  Gilbert, Arizona
Serviceable D-Lineman, suffered from back injuries and that ultimately ended his career.

Ranking the class

1. Brian McKenzie
   
2. Omarr Morgan
   
3. Ronney Jenkins* (Had Jenkins not broke the HC he would have been the best)
   
4. Justin Ena
   
5. Chris Ellison

--Mitch