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Huge pickup for Lil Brother

The Thriller

The Thriller

Well-Known Member
https://www.deseretnews.com/article...enu-switches-commitment-from-BYU-to-Utah.html

SALT LAKE CITY — In his first complete season of organized football former Timpview defensive end Pita Taumoepenu sketched his name into the Utah record books.

In 14 games, he recorded 68 tackles and 25 sacks — the third highest single-season total in state history. On Sunday he pledged his commitment to the University of Utah.

“He’s raw talent right now; he doesn’t have a lot of years of football behind him, so his talent lends itself to a high ceiling,” Timpview coach Cary Whittingham said. “His speed is something that you just don’t find very often.”
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During Timpview’s championship run in 2012, Taumoepenu typically attacked from his defensive end position upright. At 6-foot-2, 220-pounds, he’s reportedly been clocked at 4.41 in the 40-yard dash.

“His size lends itself to a linebacker, but his speed off the edge would make him a very good pass rusher,” Whittingham said.
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Taumoepenu originally committed to BYU as part of the Class of 2013. However, per NCAA regulations programs are allotted to sign 25 players to scholarships per year, and had already surpassed that total. As a result, Taumoepenu was expected to serve a church mission.

“Personally he’s got things that he hasn’t shared with or anybody else, but he did mention to me that he was extremely interest in Utah,” Whittingham said when asked what ultimately made him choose Utah. “I believe it has to do with Pac-12, some of it has to do with being in Utah’s environment, and past that I don’t exactly know. I try and support the kids as long as they’re making good decisions.
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This kid has the potential to be in the NFL. His speed off the edge is crazy sick. Has anyone else seen this kid play?

Huge mistake by BYU. Kid is Van Noy 2.0. You do whatever you can to keep him.
 
Sadly, Utah also had a scholarship open up last week. That probably had a lot to do with Utah getting the kid.
 
BYU gets caught in that "no man's land" of guys saying they are going on missions that end up not going a decent amount, which creates a scholarship jam. But yeah, this is a Star Lotulelei situation where BYU fans will be thinking that this guy should be tearing it up for them since they had them in the bag instead of Utah when he is crushing opposing QBS and RBs. He is a monster:

https://www.hudl.com/athlete/2105091/highlights/20764379
 
HipHopAnonymous said:
Why is Utah "Lil Brother"? Who is "Big Brother"?
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There are some idiots out there with a misconception.

The University of Utah was established in 1850 (as the University of Deseret), "making it Utah's oldest institute of higher education" (per Wiki). It was later renamed to the University of Utah in 1892.

BYU was founded in in 1875.

Therefore, you have dorks from BYU that state that BYU was founded before the U... even though what the U did in 1892 was simply a name change. Said dorks also get a lot of pleasure referring to the U as the "little brother", mostly because they have an inferiority complex and will do anything they can to boost themselves in their own eyes and the eyes of others. They also get a lot of mileage out of using the term, because many fans/alumni of the U of U know the term is used in absolute error, and are irritated that there is an actual and true perception by many BYU fans/alumni that they are correct in their assumption. Hence it is oftentimes used in trash talk by BYU fans that know they are incorrect, but don't care. Cuz that's how they roll.

But oh well.
 
HipHopAnonymous said:
Why is Utah "Lil Brother"? Who is "Big Brother"?
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Good question. Cougar fans can call them "Lil Brother" all they like. Usually, it's strange to see "Lil Brother" having the edge in head-to-head match ups including 14 of the last 20 but if that helps soften the blow of reality, who are we to try and take that away?

On a serious note, I'm a little unclear on this kids eligibility. Is he able to play right away, or does he have to sit out a year?
 
Another question: I understand that trying to juggle missionary commits has to be a nightmare. With that being said, BYU lost out on Jake Murphy due to scholly #'s and now Pita. I was under the assumption that BYU may have had a scholly to give him due to Reynolds retirement. Did they already hand that one out?
 
jazzman12 said:
Another question: I understand that trying to juggle missionary commits has to be a nightmare. With that being said, BYU lost out on Jake Murphy due to scholly #'s and now Pita. I was under the assumption that BYU may have had a scholly to give him due to Reynolds retirement. Did they already hand that one out?
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Last I heard is that houston reynolds is still on schollie.

Byu lost this recruit due to not having enough scholarships available due to expecting missions that didn't happen.
At least that was what I got out of the arcticle I read
 
fishonjazz said:
Last I heard is that houston reynolds is still on schollie.

Byu lost this recruit due to not having enough scholarships available due to expecting missions that didn't happen.
At least that was what I got out of the arcticle I read
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I realize BYU can do next to nothing if a player they were counting on leaving for a mission does an about face and decides to stay. With that being said, its hard to believe that they hadn't at least heard that Pita was having doubts and may have wanted to stay here and be on scholly. How do you not free up Reynolds scholly so you can keep this guy?
 
jazzman12 said:
I realize BYU can do next to nothing if a player they were counting on leaving for a mission does an about face and decides to stay. With that being said, its hard to believe that they hadn't at least heard that Pita was having doubts and may have wanted to stay here and be on scholly. How do you not free up Reynolds scholly so you can keep this guy?
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To be honest, arrogance. I think BYU expected Pita to go on a mission. Oops, homework wasn't done as he still isn't even a member. So BYU has been waiting on him to become a member and go on a mission. Mistakes were made in that BYU used up all their scholarships. I haven't heard yet why Houston wasn't cut. It's a mystery to even the insiders.

BYU then offered him to walk-on. He did not accept. Huge mistake.

With the recent tragedy, Utah found themselves with a scholarship to give. They offered it to Pita and the rest is history.

BYU really screwed the pooch on this one in epic ways. This kid is an insane recruit. Probably one of the top in the entire region. He flat out dominated Utah HS in ways that even King Lebronson Kaufusi didn't in HS. He easily will be a Van Noy like player. Maybe even better as his speed off the edge is scary.

My hope is that he will already be drafted into the NFL by the time the rivalry restarts. He will be a tremendous building block for the new coaching staff next year.
 
gregbroncs said:
Umm. What have you been reading? Because there was none of that in here. I forget your a teacher and don't know how to read.
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I was thinking the same thing, then I went back and read Lefty's post where he mentions the inferiority complex that some fans carry. Then it made perfect sense.
 
The Thriller said:
To be honest, arrogance. I think BYU expected Pita to go on a mission. Oops, homework wasn't done as he still isn't even a member. So BYU has been waiting on him to become a member and go on a mission. Mistakes were made in that BYU used up all their scholarships. I haven't heard yet why Houston wasn't cut. It's a mystery to even the insiders.
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Is that accurate? I hadn't read that in the news articles I saw. If so, I agree that BYU made a serious mistake.
 
colton said:
Is that accurate? I hadn't read that in the news articles I saw. If so, I agree that BYU made a serious mistake.
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Because our media is incredibly lazy.

They merely just repeat whatever the university spokesperson says. Dig deeper and actually investigate and you'll uncover some of these details. I am still connected to several coaches in Utah County. And from what I have heard, pita has still not been baptized into the LDS church. I am not sure why. It does not appear to be anything shady necessarily.

Those who think that Cary Whittingham had much to do with this really don't know their situation. Pita was BYU's until this fell apart. If BYU had a scholarship for him he would still be BYU's. BYU messed up and Utah just had an opening.
 
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