Royal Crew: Looking At BYU Football’s 2022 Recruiting Class
Dec 14, 2021, 7:27 PM
BYU football 2022 commits that include Weber's Aisea Moa, Corner Canyon's Cody Hagen, Wasatch ATH Jarinn Kalama. (Photos courtesy of Deseret News)
(Photos courtesy of Deseret News)
PROVO, UtahΒ – BYU football is getting ready to sign most of its 2022 recruiting class on Wednesday when the Early Signing Period opens up. There has been a lot of momentum on the recruiting trail for the Cougars.
From being invited to the Big 12 Conference to Kalani Sitake’s long-term extension, “It is cool to play at BYU again,” said BYU offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick during an interview with The Zone Sports Network. Those words are proving to be accurate as BYU is set to sign its highest-rated recruiting class in the Kalani Sitake era, according to 247Sports’ team rankings.
Each year BYU football has a theme for their latest set of commitments. This year’s group is being dubbed the “Royal Crew.”
BYU Football 2022 Commits
Heading into Signing Day, BYU has 19 commitments for the 2022 class.
Joe Brown | OL | Lone Peak (American Fork, UT)
Brown flipped his commitment from Virginia to BYU after Bronco Mendenhall announced he was stepping down in Charlottesville. Part of the State Champion Lone Peak Knights who took down Corner Canyon twice this past fall. Brown plans to serve a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints before enrolling.
Signing day tomorrow at 12!! @ LPHS @Coach_DFunk @kalanifsitake @BYUfootball pic.twitter.com/XJa49TpDeP
— Joe Brown (@Rjoebrown79) December 14, 2021
Brown is the younger brother to former BYU players Terence and Rhen Brown.
Kaden Chidester | DL | Richfield High (Richfield, UT)
Chidester was a leader for Richfield on both sides of the ball. He will likely greyshirt in 2022.
Locked inπ@BYUfootball pic.twitter.com/ywn1H68Oey
— Kaden Chidester (@Kaden_Chid) December 14, 2021
Cannon DeVries | DB | Weber High (Ogden, UT)
A versatile athlete who excelled at various positions, DeVries helped lead Weber High to one of the best seasons in program history in 2021. DeVries is expected to play at safety after serving a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Making my childhood dreams come true.π€π»π
I will be signing with @BYUfootball tomorrow at 7:15 AM at Weber High Commons.βπ»ππ€ #gocougs @kalanifsitake pic.twitter.com/OxAYztASn1— Cannon DeVries (@CannonDevries) December 14, 2021
Peter Falaniko | OL | Pine View High (St. George, UT)
Falaniko aspires to follow in the footsteps of St. George native Penei Sewell. He says he looks up to Sewell, especially after the current Detroit Lion paid a visit to his high school last year.
Something bigger than me @BYUfootball @pineviewfootba1 pic.twitter.com/yr31zRqgre
— Peter Falaniko (@FalanikoPeter) December 13, 2021
Falaniko plays with a physical nastiness in the trenches that appealed to BYU’s staff this past summer.
Cody Hagen | WR | Corner Canyon High (Draper, UT)
Hagen, a Gatorade Player of the Year in Utah, is the highest-rated recruit in BYU’s 2022 class. Hagen picked BYU over offers from Utah, USC, Stanford, Michigan, and others. He committed to BYU after the Cougars received their invitation to the Big 12 Conference.
I want to thank all my coaches, family, trainers, and especially the BYU staff for believing in me before anyone else. With that being saidβ¦ I am 100% Committed!! #GoCougs π π pic.twitter.com/cHG7QVwABz
— Cody Hagen (@_codyhagen_) September 30, 2021
Brooks Jones | DL | American Leadership Academy (Queen Creek, AZ)
Jones is the younger brother to BYU safety Dean Jones. He earned an offer and committed to BYU during summer camp this past June.
Dream came true, Iβll be signing tomorrow afternoon in the ALA field house @ 3:30. Really appreciate the love and support of all the staff for making it happen.βͺοΈπ΅ @alaqcathletics @alaqcfootball @BYUfootball @kalanifsitake @CoachPHadley @mxrd15 @TyDetmer14 @PatriotsDC pic.twitter.com/Tf2NtG624H
— Brooks Jones (@Brooks_Jones81) December 14, 2021
Jarinn Kalama | ATH | Wasatch High (Heber City, UT)
An all-around athlete, Kalama made an impact for Wasatch High on both sides of the ball. He could play a variety of different positions in his BYU career.
Excited to announce my commitment to BYU ! Go cougs π΅βͺοΈ #RoyalCrew22 @BYUFBRecruiting @kalanifsitake @fsitake @bangulo @BrandonHuffman @levelupelitesFB @kards87 @adamgorney @kawej_16 @WasatchFB pic.twitter.com/B1wFd0zwXJ
— Jarinn Kalama (@JarinnKalama) March 25, 2021
Maika Kaufusi | LB | Alta High (Sandy, UT)
There’s another Kaufusi in the pipeline for BYU football. Like his older brothers Isaiah and Jackson, Maika Kaufusi is expected to play linebacker. But like many in this “royal crew,” Kaufusi played both sides of the ball at Alta High.
COUGS ! 110% Committed @BYUfootball @kalanifsitake pic.twitter.com/uJzZbWSzlC
— Maika Kaufusi (@KaufusiMaika) March 16, 2021
Kaufusi had four receptions for four touchdowns during week one of his senior season.
Parker Kingston | WR | Roy High (Roy, Utah)
Kingston was the successor to Jaxson Dart at QB for Roy High School. Once an Air Force commit, Kingston flipped his pledge to BYU and is expected to play at receiver.
Game time baby!!π€πΌ @kalanifsitake @fsitake @CoachRoderick @CoachPHadley pic.twitter.com/zm2IbK1GtO
— Parker Kingston (@ParkerKingston) October 7, 2021
Liutai Kinikini | LB | West High (Salt Lake City)
BYU defensive coordinator Ilaisa Tuiaki has made Salt Lake City high schools such as West a recruiting priority. He offered Kinikini in the summer of 2020. Kinikini is an under-the-radar prospect who can play a variety of positions in his collegiate career.
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Dominique McKenzie | WR | Pine View High (St. George, Utah)
McKenzie committed to BYU after an official visit over the weekend. He was initially committed to Virginia. He flipped after Bronco Mendenhall stepped down. One of the defining characteristics of McKenzie on the field is his speed. He’s been timed running a 21.10 200-meter dash.
Feels good to be Home!!! ππ€ #GoCougs pic.twitter.com/viJUSTnMkD
— Dominique McKenzie (@dom_mckenz) December 13, 2021
He will serve a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints before enrolling at BYU.
Marcus McKenzie | CB | Pine View High (St. George, Utah)
Like his twin brother, Marcus flipped his pledge to BYU over the weekend. Also, like his brother, Marcus is one of the fastest track runners in the nation. Marcus plays the cornerback position and he’s been timed at a 21.01 200-meter dash.
β¦like my father before me.β -Luke Skywalker #GoCougs ππ pic.twitter.com/pVVdyCVwnL
— Marcus McKenzie (@9marcusmckenzie) December 13, 2021
He will serve a mission for the Church before enrolling.
Aisea Moa | DL | Weber High (Ogden, UT)
The impact of being the Big 12 Conference can potentially be traced back to Moa. “Ice” Moa, a legacy recruit for the Utah football program, flipped from the Utes to BYU. After de-committing from the Utes, Moa had interest from Oregon State and Miami before picking BYU.
official. π€π½ pic.twitter.com/pPUwHM2MLp
— Aisea Moa (@aiseamoa_8) December 13, 2021
Moa had 75 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, and 12 sacks his senior year for a Weber team that reached the state semifinals. He will be joining the BYU program in 2022.
Noah Moeaki | TE | American Fork High (American Fork, UT)
The first commit of BYU’s 2022 class. Moeaki has been committed to BYU since 2019. He’s the son of former BYU player John Moeaki. Moeaki is a name that’s been synonymous with Cougar football over the years.
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Noah could play tight end or linebacker at the next level. During his prep career at American Fork, he evolved as an explosive playmaker at tight end, hauling in 92 receptions for 1,146 yards and 18 touchdowns in 34 games.
Trevin Ostler | OL | Bountiful High (Bountiful, UT)
Ostler committed to BYU over the summer, weeks after receiving an offer during a BYU football camp. At 6-foot-5, 240-pounds, Ostler has much room to grow into his frame along the offensive line.
T MINUS 3 @BYUfootball pic.twitter.com/lg5G7sMoyf
— Trevin Ostler (@OstlerTrevin) December 13, 2021
Cooper Ross | DL | Heritage Academy (Mesa, AZ)
Ross impressed BYU’s staff during a summer camp this past June. As a result, he’s one of the few recruits that earned a scholarship playing eight-man football at the high school level.
Humbled and excited to announce that I will be signing with @BYUfootball this Thursday at 4:30pm at Heritage Academy – 32 S Center, Mesa
So grateful to Coach Portilla, Bowers, and @HeritageReese and to @kalanifsitake for the opportunity #gocougs@Jasen_AhYou @BYUFBRecruiting pic.twitter.com/XARXRxxtM3— Cooper Ross (@CooperJRoss) December 14, 2021
Vae Soifua | OL | Orem High (Orem, UT)
Soifua played only two years along Orem High’s offensive line and both seasons were amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Nevertheless, BYU offered the underrated prospect and he committed before the July 4th holiday. Projects as an interior offensive lineman at BYU.
I will be signing Wednesday at 10:50am. It will be held at Orem high school, everyone is welcome! Thank you to everyone who has got me to this point! @BYUfootball @OremHSFootball pic.twitter.com/AdBsWM1XjT
— VaeSoifua (@vae_soifua) December 14, 2021
Talin Togiai | OL | Rigby High (Rigby, ID)
Togiai was BYU’s first commit after officially being invited to the Big 12 Conference. He received offers from Nebraska and Utah. At Rigby High School, Togiai took a lot of snaps throughout his prep career along the defensive line. At BYU, he projects to play along the offensive line.
Next chapter π #BYU #gocougs pic.twitter.com/M4jwELEVdY
— Talin Togiai (@TogiaiTalin) December 14, 2021
Micah Wilson | LB | Corner Canyon High (Draper, UT)
The younger brother to Zach Wilson, Micah Wilson, joins Josh Wilson in BYU’s linebacker room. Wilson racked up over 200 tackles in his prep career playing linebacker at Corner Canyon High School.
Family is everything to me. Staying close to home, playing with my brother and having the opportunity to work with amazing coaches, makes BYU the perfect fit for me. With that being said, I am COMMITTED to BYU and Iβm excited to start my journey at the next level.@kalanifsitake pic.twitter.com/fAKma2f2ST
— Micah wilson (@Micah_Wilson11) April 20, 2021
Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for KSLsports.com and host of the Cougar Tracks Podcast (SUBSCRIBE) and Cougar Sports Saturday (Saturday from 12β3 p.m.) on KSL Newsradio. Follow him on Twitter:Β @Mitch_Harper.
