Here is the third installment leading up to Letter of Intent Day, evaluating BYU recruiting classes.

Spencer Abney TE Orem
Never enrolled

Eugene Childs WR Los Angeles
Didn't make it academically

Logan Deans RB Englewood, CO
Went on mission, came back in '01 and redshirted. Played in 12 games in 2002 gained 17 yards. After '02 season quit the team.  Deans was known as the team comedian during his one season.

Kevin Gilbride QB Jacksonville, FL
Redshirted in '98, quit the team during the '99 season.  He then transferred to Hawaii, and didn't do anything due to Timmy Chang being there and the QB who tore apart BYU, Nick Rolovich.  Gilbride's father who has the same name was a head coach for the San Diego Chargers for a few years.

Jernaro Gilford DB Hawthorne, CA
Gilford wasn't eligible at BYU for the '98 season, he signed again in '99.  Gilford saw very little time in his Freshman season in '99, but there was a lot of excitement about him being a future star at the DB spot.  During the summer of 2000, Gilford was suspended for the year for stealing sports equipment.  Came back in 2001, and had an outstanding year, recording six INT's including the one against Utah that sealed the game.  Gilford earned 1st Team All-MWC honors that year.  The following season, Gilford was hampered by knee problems that would bother him the rest of his career.  Only had three INT's in his Junior and Senior season, still one of the most talented Cornerbacks BYU has had.  Gilford was with the Seahawks but knee problems ended his chances of making the team.
This past year, Gilford was a coach at Pima Community College along with former Cougars Joshua Brandon, and Chris Stevens.
Here is a highlight package from the 2001 Utah game.

Gray was quietly one of BYU's best

Brian Gray DB El Camino JC
Gray was a standout CB for BYU, going down as one of the best in BYU history. Gray had 33 tackles, 1 sack, and 2 INT's in '98. One of his interceptions was the eventual game winning TD against San Diego State (13-0). In '99 had 36 tackles and 3 INT's. Gray's stats could have been better but opposing offenses were afraid to throw around him.

Sione Havili RB Salt Lake
Went on a mission, came back early because he was involved in a arsonist crime. He wanted to transfer to Utah. McBride wanted him to join but the administration (Chris Hill in particular) wouldn't let him. Didn't enroll in either BYU or Utah, later transferred to Texas Tech, but did not play for the Red Raiders either.  Finally, ended up playing for Ron McBride but it was at Weber State.

Isaac Herring OL Mapleton, UT
A good lineman at the Y. Started in last 26 games as a Cougar. He had a 626 lb. squat.

Junior "Reno" Mahe RB Salt Lake
Came into BYU as a RB, and saw time immediately at the position. In his first college game against Alabama, had a TD run. In the '98 season had 98 carries for 510 yards. In '99 kicked out of school for HC violation. In '00 played at Dixie State. In '01 came back to the Y, and was switched to the WR position where he started on the best offense in the country. Started in all 14 games, 1st TM MWC selection. Had 91 rec for 1,211 yards and 180 rushing yards. In '02 his stats weren't as great due to the lack of offense and no consistency at QB but still solid, 59 rec for 771 yards and 86 rushing yards. Married to former BYU volleyball player Sonny Tonga.  Mahe had a great career at BYU.

Brandon McFerren OL Union City, CA
Never saw much time in his 4 years, quit the team after '01 season.

James Morgan OL Dunnellon, FL
Never made it into school.

Moa Peaua LB Reno, NV
Came back from mission in '00 and redshirted. In 2001-2003 had season ending injuries giving him not much playing time at LB and DE. In 2004, saw limited time as a blocking FB.  In 2005, transferred to Weber State for his final season.

Poppinga was awesome on and off the field

Brady Poppinga LB Evanston, WY
Poppinga was a great player at BYU, he was always a vocal leader and he was a very talented player. Saw action in 12 games his Freshman season recording 10 tackles and a Fumble recovery against Hawaii. In '02 switched to DE and was a 1st TM MWC selection, leading the MWC with 8 sacks, also had 49 tackles, 14 for loss, and started in all 12 games. In '03 was a 1st TM MWC Selection again, had 55 tackles, 6 sacks, and 2 INT's. In '04 switched back to his old position at LB, due to the lack of depth and he had 79 tackles and 6 sacks and for the 3rd straight year was 1st TM MWC selection. First BYU player to do that in the MWC era. Poppinga was an outstanding player.  Drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the 4th Round of the 2005 NFL Draft, and has become a very good LB for Green Bay alongside A.J. Hawk.

Jonathan Pittman WR Long Beach City College
Redshirted in '98 due to academics. In '99 saw significant time playing in all 12 games gaining 478 yards on 29 receptions, also had 4 TD's. In '00 was 2nd on the team in receiving (behind Hooks) gaining 691 on 38 receptions and hauling in 5 TD's. Pittman's shining moment at BYU was of course the game against Utah, 4th and 23 and Doman goes deep to Pittman and he hauls it in for the huge first down.  Then the following play, Doman is calling one thing but Pittman disagreed giving him a hand signal to go deep.  Doman went with Pittman's call and again down the sideline to haul in another catch, because of those catches BYU beat the Utes in one of the most memorable finishes in the rivalry.  After Pittman's glorious moments in the spotlight, one week later he breaks the Honor Code getting kicked out of school and he didn't graduate.

Dustin Rykert OL Roseville, CA
Rykert was a massive O-lineman, lining up at 6-7.  Played in all but 4 games in his career at the Y. He was a Conference Honorable Mention in 2001-2002.  Rykert even scored a Touchdown in his career during the 2001 Liberty Bowl against Louisville.  It was BYU's only Touchdown that entire game.  Rykert had a short tenure in the NFL with the Oakland Raiders.

Heshimu Robertson DB Long Beach, CA
Robertson was a mid-year enrollee, played Spring Football in '98.  Robertson and Brian Gray made a outstanding Cornerback tandem, but there wasn't much depth behind them.  With that said, Robertson was suspended for the Liberty Bowl against Tulane where Rob Warcup was the back-up, and Shaun King never even looked at Brian Gray's side the entire day.  Robertson did come back in '99 and did a nice job, for his size he did a good job.  Robertson recorded 78 tackles in his career.

TJ Sitake RB Salt Lake
Sitake's career just recently ended in the 2005 season.  Sitake was listed as a RB during the '99 and '00 seasons, then went on a mission.  Sitake never returned until the 2004 season, I don't know the exact reasons what took so long but I was surprised to see him back.  Was switched to D-line for the 2005 season, and had 17 tackles.  His brother, Kalani is a assistant coach at Utah.

Chris Stevens LB Hemet, CA
Never saw playing time quit team after '03 season.  This past season, a coach at Pima Community College.

Hanale Vincent OL Kailua, HI
Good career at BYU, he played at all positions on the OL. Started in 7 games in '02 for the injured Scott Jackson. Saw playing time go down in '03-'04 seasons.

Wente should have took notes from this guy

Nathan Wente TE Canby, OR
Didn't see much playing time in his 3 years at BYU, quit team after '02 season.  He was too thin to be a TE at the D-1 level.

Michael Westbrook WR Lakewood, WA
In '98 Saw action in all 12 games as Freshman had 1 reception for 14 yards. In '99 played in 4 games receiving 9 catches for 65 yards, after the USU game quit the team.  Westbrook had a brother that played for the Washington Redskins.

Ranking the Class

1. Brady Poppinga
   
2. Brian Gray
   
3. Reno Mahe
   
4. Jernaro Gilford
   
5. Dustin Rykert

Archive:
1997, 1996

--Mitch