Five takeaways from the first Big 12 signing day

PROVO, Utah– BYU football’s early signing period ushered in the Big 12 era. All players who sign with the Cougars will be playing in a Power Five conference for the first time in BYU history.

This is a historic moment for a program that has been trying to knock down the door to the big boys club for years. Their time has come.

The family is growing today!! pic.twitter.com/kE4HLU2D1y

— BYU FOOTBALL (@BYUfootball) December 21, 2022

But the work is just beginning, and it starts with this 2023 recruiting class that aims to make BYU competitive in the early years of the league.

Here are five takeaways from BYU’s early signing period action on Wednesday.

#1 A New World for BYU Football

BYU saw a bump in its recruiting by receiving an invite to the Big 12 Conference. Especially at the top of the class. But the reality of what lies ahead of them in the Big 12 will be apparent on signing day.

Of the 12 programs that make up the “New Big 12,” BYU’s Class of 2023 is ranked No. 10 by the industry standard 247Sports Composite Team Rankings. BYU’s 2023 class is ranked No. 71. The only two classes behind them are Kansas (74) and Cincinnati (80).

BYU has never been in a conference with a recruiting class ranked in the top three. When the Cougars were the Juggernaut of the WAC and the top brand in the Mountain West, they were big fish in a small pond. Now they are just another fish in the huge Power Five pond.

#2 Jackson Bowers has the ability to make an impact in 2023

Four-star tight end Jackson Bowers from Mountain View High School in Mesa, Arizona is a big talent. Name the school in the Power Five ranks; Bowers probably had an offer from that program.

#BYU THE @jackson_bow3rs is the highest-rated player in the Cougars’ 2023 class.#BYUFootball #NSD23 pic.twitter.com/rabGWcw3Rj

– Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) December 21, 2022

He is expected to join the BYU program next summer, and when he does, don’t be surprised if he makes an immediate impact. No. 2 tight end can step up alongside Isaac Rex.

The Cougars will return Ethan Erickson next season and have Bentley Redden join the program after a grayshirt season. But as BYU offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick said in his press conference, he referred to Bowers as a “Power Five player.” In the Big 12, these are the kinds of talents that make an immediate impact.

#3 Holding UCLA for Siale Esera was a critical achievement

Timpview EDGE rusher/linebacker Siale Esera took a late official visit to UCLA. When he visited, BYU had not yet hired Jay Hill. However, Hill confirmed Esera’s commitment to BYU after entering the picture.

YEAH! I’m staying home! https://t.co/KJ7twWiEZy

– Siale Tuiteelagi Ezra (@EzraSiale) December 21, 2022

BYU has lacked star pass rushers for quite some time. Esera is another player who represents the hope that this will change soon. Especially now that BYU has Sione Po’uha on the defensive staff. He is expected to play next season.

The defensive line position is always difficult to make an immediate impact as a freshman. But I wouldn’t count Esera out of double depth.

#4 BYU is building a series of standout running backs

Consider this, Jamaal Williams, Ty’Son Williams and Tyler Allgeier. All three players were coached at one point by Kalani Sitake and have earned paychecks from NFL games over the past seven years.

UNLV transfer @theaidanrobbins is officially a #BYU Cougar.#BYUFootball #NSD23 pic.twitter.com/Z1K2XjgXQ1

– Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) December 21, 2022

BYU is suddenly building a pipeline to a comeback position. Chris Brooks, who navigated 2022 with hamstrings but still averaged six yards per carry, could get a crack at the NFL next year as well.

The next piece in BYU’s return pipeline is UNLV transfer Aidan Robbins. Robbins is an immediate challenger to Hinckley Ropat and Miles Davis to start the running back in Week 1 against Sam Houston State.

Aaron Roderick admitted that the recent success of BYU’s ball carriers, along with a previous relationship with Robbins from his high school recruiting experience, made his transfer recruitment smooth.

#5 Ryder Burton has the potential to be a QB1 at some point

Springville High quarterback Ryder Burton is a talented football player. The old-school I-Formation offense in Springville wasn’t the best way to showcase his abilities. But the ability to throw the rock impressed Roderick and the BYU staff.

#BYUn young gunslinger @RyderBurton5 will join the Cougars next month.#BYUFootball #NSD23 pic.twitter.com/dNcPytHV1O

– Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) December 21, 2022

Burton will enroll at BYU next month and go through spring practice. I don’t think he’ll be the quarterback next year if Jaren Hall continues. But he will be the starting quarterback at some point during his BYU career.

Mitch Harper is KSLsports.com’s BYU Insider and host of the Cougar Tracks podcast (ROOM) and Cougar Sports Saturday (starting at 123 on Saturday) on KSL Newsradio. Follow Mitch’s coverage of BYU’s move to the Big 12 Conference on Twitter: @Mitch_Harper.

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