New twist in the BYU 2013 recruiting saga: Tim McTyer wants his son to be a Cougar

The Brigham Young Cougars 2013 recruiting class can be described in one word: saga. Recruiting had been uneventful in January the last few years. Virtually all recruits had committed early and stayed true to that commitment. This year has been the exact opposite. Multiple commits have decommitted and committed to other schools. Some have decommitted only to recommit later. One even decommitted and recommitted only to decommit again. BYU coaches have racked up a lot of frequent flier miles this month making several visits to recruits both new and old.

Guess what, it isn't over yet. With six days left until the February 6 date when high school seniors can sign their national letter of intent a new twist developed in the BYU recruiting. The son of former BYU legend Tim McTyer (cornerback, 1995-96) had Cal pull its scholarship offer. Torry McTyer is now looking for a new place to play, and BYU is high on his list.

In an interview yesterday on the radio program Cougar Sports with Alema Harrington (AM 960 The Zone), McTyer talked about his son and the possibility that he could don Cougar blue.

Click here to listen to the entire interview.  

McTyer wasn't very specific when discussing the amount of interest that BYU is currently showing in his son. All he said was, "Hopefully it's in the works."

McTyer elaborated that Cal was the first school to offer his son and Torry committed. His loyalty to that commitment prevented him from visiting other schools and entertaining any other offers. That included BYU.

The senior McTyer explained, "Being in the sport so long, we understood what loyalty meant."

Loyalty in the recruiting process is also important to BYU head coach Bronco Mendenhall, which would explain why BYU never offered Torry.

"That was part of the reason BYU did not offer because he [committed] so early before any other offers came," Tim noted. "If BYU would have offered first, that would have been a no brainer."

Tim McTyer's desire to have his son follow in his footsteps as a Cougar was evident in his twitter feed @TimMcTyer.
How sweet would it be if my son played at . I think I would CRY! Lol 4real tho. That would be so awesome. ™© (https://twitter.com/timmctyer/status/297030900313649152)
He also confirmed BYU's interest in Torry before the Cal commitment in a tweet to @TotalBlueSports
there was b4 his commit to Cal." (https://twitter.com/timmctyer/status/297083437179875329)
In 1995-96, McTyer built his legacy on the defensive side of the ball. His son, however, appears to be a better offensive player. McTyer told Cougar Sports that Torry would be open to playing offense or defense.

"Without losing any opportunity and being a team player, there is no rather [offense or defense]," Tim said. "With the new offense coming in, he will be a great receiver as well, a deep threat .... He can also be a nickel back and corner as well."

BYU isn't able to offer scholarships to every player who wants to come. Those who are the best fit get the scholies. How well does Torry fit BYU?

Watching Torry's highlights, he seems to fit the mold of former BYU receiver Todd Watkins and current receiver Ross Apo. The highlights show a lot of quick screens and go routes. While he would get to run those plays at times in BYU's offense, Torry would be required to run good routes in offensive coordinator Robert Anae's system. In 2005, Watkins had 49 receptions for 678 yards and a team-high 9 touchdowns in Anae's first season at BYU. That was after 52 receptions for 1,042 yards and 6 TDs the year before. Apo redshirted 2010, which was Anae's final season at BYU before leaving for Arizona.

If McTyer did play defense, he would give BYU speed at the cornerback position that has rarely been seen in Provo.

In another tweet, Tim McTyer gave his evaluation of his son.
For the record. My son is better, bigger taller, faster and more skilled than I was as a Sr. In HS. Not the hitter I was. But Many will nvrB (https://twitter.com/timmctyer/status/297039363144024064)

Simple logic says BYU has room for Torry McTyer as part of the 2013 recruiting class. Less than a week ago, wide receiver Tanner Shipley changed his commitment from BYU to Boise State. Replacing a wide receiver with another wide receiver seems like the natural thing to do.

A lot of decisions in football are dictated by who you know. Recently, BYU hired Mark Atuaia as an assistant coach. Atuaia (1991, 94-96) was part of the same Cougars teams that Tim was. How well they knew each other and how well Atuaia respected Tim could be crucial in the recruiting process, including whether BYU offers Torry a scholarship. In that case, it probably helps that Tim was elected team captain in 1996.

Of course, answering how well a prospect fits BYU goes beyond the playing field. Grades was the reason cited by Cal for pulling the scholarship offer. However, it has been reported that Torry's "GPA and test scores are currently well above the minimum requirements" and his GPA is currently 3.7.

Torry is 6-foot-1, 176 pounds. He played for Cathedral High School in Los Angeles, California this last year. Cathedral finished 10-3. He had 33 receptions for 662 yards (20 yards per catch), and 10 receiving touchdowns. MaxPreps.com lists McTyer as the offensive player of the game twice and overall player of the game twice in 2012. On defense, he had 30 tackles, 9 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 1 interception, and 13 pass breakups. As a special teams player, McTyer had 9 kickoff returns for 288 yards (32 yard average). He had at least two kickoff returns for a touchdown. He scored 13 total touchdowns. Compete stats for Torry can be found by clicking here.

The Editor appreciates all feedback. He can be reached via email at bluecougarfootball@gmail.com

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