Personally I think we're neck and neck with USC for Manti. He knows what it means to play linebacker there, but this is also a kid with a big heart and lot's of family supporting a decision to go to the Y.

In the end, I think that our fabulous season this year combined with a face to face with Bronco (and hopefully a prayer or two) will sell this kid o how special this place is.

USC is hardly a safe haven for LDS athletes... one of the best female LDS hoops players in a long time, Brynn Cameron got pregnant by Matt Leinart there.

There isn't a night that goes by that there aren't drugs sold and people shot, less than a miles radius of the campus.

Outside of the likelihood of Kaveinga going on a mission (I can't imagine that USC isn't coddling this kid to ensure that Manti knows that the mission thing is ok - - i.e. USC needs Kaveinga to go on a mission to convince the Teo family)


BYU happens to have 2 Teos targeted for scholarships and another potential schollie out to Levi Teo of Timpview.
Alema Teo (the ceo of the all poly camp) is a pro BYU guy at a pro BYU high school (Bountiful) and certainly will be a spiritual mentor to Manti. Last time I checkd Alema or Mantis family do not live in Southern California.

I say, let's beat Washington and UCLA and then see where we stand with Manti.

We're getting spoiled, it wasn't but 3-4 years ago that 90% of our recruiting classes commited in the last few weeks on the recruiting calender. Now we're getting 4-5 star athletes committing 2 years in advance.

Timo, Bills, Galeai all committed extremely early
then
Kaufusi, Badger, and Heaps have followed suit for the next class (I expect Badger and Heaps to commit before November of their junior years)

We're in great shape with or without Manti; it's not like we struggle to find guys qualified to play linebacker in our system. That being said, I expect to see him in blue in the future.

Shakenbake,
Almost like a guy who, before getting engaged, goes out with that really nice girl who his family loves, just to make sure that he wants to marry the girl he bought a ring for. Yeah, that would suck. I think in a way, BYU might be the sweet spirit that is the best girl and will be the best wife and mother but may be lacking a little in looks (BCS stars) whereas USC is the hotty with some personality but will probably max your credit cards before you graduate. I think this analogy has been used before, or maybe for once I came up with an original analogy.:unsure:
Nevertheless, if we don't get him I think we will be fine, one person does not a team make, albeit he may draw a few more good recruits just because of his fame.