Today is National Signing Day; the day high school seniors sign and send letters of intent to play football at the school of their choice. In honor of that, this week’s flashback looks back on the Brigham Young Cougars recruiting class from ten years ago—2002.
Just a quick reminder, the purpose of the weekly flashback is to celebrate the good moments in BYU’s rich football history. No recruiting class is immune from signees who fail to live up to their potential. Those who were “busts” from the 2002 recruiting class will intentionally not be mentioned below; this simply isn’t the proper forum for their stories.
The 2002 recruiting class had ten players who gave BYU a profitable return on its investment. These players earned numerous all-conference and all-American citations. They broke school records. Most importantly, they were integral in restoring BYU football to its winning ways after a three year slide that, incidentally, started the first year after they signed. Several of these players enjoyed careers in the NFL.
Shaun Nua was an immediate contributor on defense. In his two years (2002, 2004) on the defensive line, he made 52 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, and 10 sacks, including six in 2004 to lead the team. He was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers and stayed in the NFL for a few years.
Scott Young was another immediate impact player. He started on the defensive line his first game in 2002. He redshirted 2003 and switched positions to guard on the offensive line. After his BYU career ended in 2004, Young had a four year career in the NFL.
Daniel Coats was a wide receiver in high school. He added weight while he redshirted in 2002 and prepared to move to tight end. The move was a success. Coats was named a freshman All-American in 2003. He finished his BYU career with 966 yards and 9 touchdowns. Coats had adapted so well to the tight end spot that he ended up playing in the NFL.
The year 2003 was also the year Reynaldo Brathwaite led the Cougars in rushing with 812 yards. He also added 100 yards receiving. The highlight of his season, and career, was setting a new school record for longest run from scrimmage with a 95-yard touchdown run against San Diego State.
Curtis Brown, another running back, made a splash in 2002 when he filled in for an injured Marcus Whalen against Utah State. Brown rushed for over 200 yards and scored three touchdowns in that game. That was his only significant playing time until 2004. From 2004-06, Brown was the team’s leading rusher. His final two seasons he rushed for over 1,000 yards each year. He was first-team All-MWC twice. Brown broke the school record for most games rushing for over 100 yards by the end of his junior year, and by the end of his senior year he was the school’s all-time leading rusher with 3,221 yards.
Big Jake Kuresa started every game on the offensive line as a redshirt freshman in 2003. From that point on, he played in every BYU game until his career concluded in 2006. He went out on top as a first-team All-MWC player and a Sports Illustrated honorable mention All-American. Kuresa is another player who got a shot at an NFL career.
Jonny Harline added his name to the list of great BYU tight ends. In two seasons (2005-06), he amassed 1,788 yards receiving and 17 touchdowns. He was first team All-MWC in both 2005 and 2006. He was the Las Vegas Bowl MVP in 2006. The Sporting News, ESPN, College Football News, CBSSportsline, and SI.com all named Harline first-team All-American. Lastly, who will ever forget Harline on his knees catching the game winning touchdown against Utah in 2006?
Linebacker Bryan Kehl became a fan favorite before he was through. His impact, like other players, on the field was delayed due to a mission. After contributing as a freshman in 2004, he really started making noise in 2005. Over three years, Kehl made almost 200 tackles, had 20.5 tackles for loss, 7 sacks, 11 pass breakups, and 3 interceptions. He was first-team All-MWC. Kehl still makes BYU fans proud as he continues to play in the NFL.
Taufui “Fui” Vakapuna busted onto the scene early in 2006 when he broke close to ten tackles on a long run against Tulsa. He was a touchdown machine that season. From 2007-08 he took on more of a fullback role and saw his number of touches diminish, but he was no less valuable to the team. For his efforts, Vakapuna was rewarded with a chance to play in the NFL.
Andrew George played most of his career in the shadow of Dennis Pitta. He was still able to record 827 yards receiving and 11 touchdowns. He was second-team All-MWC his senior year in 2009, while his teammate Pitta was first-team.
For eight seasons, BYU reaped the benefits of the 2002 recruiting class. Only time will tell who from the class of 2012 goes on to stardom and what great feats they achieve.
The Editor appreciates all feedback. He can be reached via email at bluecougarfootball@gmail.com
Just a quick reminder, the purpose of the weekly flashback is to celebrate the good moments in BYU’s rich football history. No recruiting class is immune from signees who fail to live up to their potential. Those who were “busts” from the 2002 recruiting class will intentionally not be mentioned below; this simply isn’t the proper forum for their stories.
The 2002 recruiting class had ten players who gave BYU a profitable return on its investment. These players earned numerous all-conference and all-American citations. They broke school records. Most importantly, they were integral in restoring BYU football to its winning ways after a three year slide that, incidentally, started the first year after they signed. Several of these players enjoyed careers in the NFL.
Shaun Nua was an immediate contributor on defense. In his two years (2002, 2004) on the defensive line, he made 52 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, and 10 sacks, including six in 2004 to lead the team. He was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers and stayed in the NFL for a few years.
Scott Young was another immediate impact player. He started on the defensive line his first game in 2002. He redshirted 2003 and switched positions to guard on the offensive line. After his BYU career ended in 2004, Young had a four year career in the NFL.
Daniel Coats was a wide receiver in high school. He added weight while he redshirted in 2002 and prepared to move to tight end. The move was a success. Coats was named a freshman All-American in 2003. He finished his BYU career with 966 yards and 9 touchdowns. Coats had adapted so well to the tight end spot that he ended up playing in the NFL.
The year 2003 was also the year Reynaldo Brathwaite led the Cougars in rushing with 812 yards. He also added 100 yards receiving. The highlight of his season, and career, was setting a new school record for longest run from scrimmage with a 95-yard touchdown run against San Diego State.
Curtis Brown, another running back, made a splash in 2002 when he filled in for an injured Marcus Whalen against Utah State. Brown rushed for over 200 yards and scored three touchdowns in that game. That was his only significant playing time until 2004. From 2004-06, Brown was the team’s leading rusher. His final two seasons he rushed for over 1,000 yards each year. He was first-team All-MWC twice. Brown broke the school record for most games rushing for over 100 yards by the end of his junior year, and by the end of his senior year he was the school’s all-time leading rusher with 3,221 yards.
Big Jake Kuresa started every game on the offensive line as a redshirt freshman in 2003. From that point on, he played in every BYU game until his career concluded in 2006. He went out on top as a first-team All-MWC player and a Sports Illustrated honorable mention All-American. Kuresa is another player who got a shot at an NFL career.
Jonny Harline added his name to the list of great BYU tight ends. In two seasons (2005-06), he amassed 1,788 yards receiving and 17 touchdowns. He was first team All-MWC in both 2005 and 2006. He was the Las Vegas Bowl MVP in 2006. The Sporting News, ESPN, College Football News, CBSSportsline, and SI.com all named Harline first-team All-American. Lastly, who will ever forget Harline on his knees catching the game winning touchdown against Utah in 2006?
Linebacker Bryan Kehl became a fan favorite before he was through. His impact, like other players, on the field was delayed due to a mission. After contributing as a freshman in 2004, he really started making noise in 2005. Over three years, Kehl made almost 200 tackles, had 20.5 tackles for loss, 7 sacks, 11 pass breakups, and 3 interceptions. He was first-team All-MWC. Kehl still makes BYU fans proud as he continues to play in the NFL.
Taufui “Fui” Vakapuna busted onto the scene early in 2006 when he broke close to ten tackles on a long run against Tulsa. He was a touchdown machine that season. From 2007-08 he took on more of a fullback role and saw his number of touches diminish, but he was no less valuable to the team. For his efforts, Vakapuna was rewarded with a chance to play in the NFL.
Andrew George played most of his career in the shadow of Dennis Pitta. He was still able to record 827 yards receiving and 11 touchdowns. He was second-team All-MWC his senior year in 2009, while his teammate Pitta was first-team.
For eight seasons, BYU reaped the benefits of the 2002 recruiting class. Only time will tell who from the class of 2012 goes on to stardom and what great feats they achieve.
The Editor appreciates all feedback. He can be reached via email at bluecougarfootball@gmail.com
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