The McNabb Report: BYU Making North Texas Inroads

BYU Making North Texas Connection

Arlington Oak Ridge 6-5 lineman Tayo Fabuluje became the school’s third commitment to Brigham Young, but there’s lots of history behind the recent trio of commits. Fabuluje’s Oak Ridge teammates – former Texas wide receiver commit Ross Apo and linebacker Teu Kautai – also committed to BYU in the last month.

All three standout players will make Oak Ridge a TAPPS powerhouse for 2009, but they all grew up together near Euless Trinity and have since transferred. All three played part-time as sophomores on Trinity’s 2007 Class 5A Division I state champ.

Fabuluje attended a recent BYU camp and earned an offer after working as a defensive end. Most schools were recruiting him as an offensive tackle. Fabuluje also has offers from Arizona, Arkansas, Nebraska, Purdue and Kansas State.

Apo averaged 20 yards per catch with 37 receptions for 767 yards and 11 touchdowns. He received an early offer from Texasbut later decided to opt for an offer from BYU.

Kautai is Oak Ridge’s quarterback, but the 6-2, 200-pounder plays a little bit of everywhere. He’s being recruited by BYU to play linebacker.

"Ross and Teu, they both have gone to school with me since the third grade," Fabuluje said. "Knowing I can play with them for four more years, we're all fired up about it. That was a factor but I knew I wasn't just going off that. I had to do my homework also."

BYU also has several players of Polynesian descent, which creates a similar culture that a Tongan community makes around Euless. It was a definite connection for Fabuluje.

"It's just the all-around aspect of what they're about," he said. "Faith, family, friends, learning and football. You can't find the combination of all those at any other school in the nation. I'm not putting down any other schools but just being here, not even being associated with football you can just feel it. Everybody is so family-oriented and everybody is together."

Mesquite’s Harper Lands Offer

Mesquite senior Davian Harper has been impressive most of the spring during Skeeters’ practices and camps. Harper missed most of his junior season with an injury.

The 6-2 Harper will be used at quarterback and wide receiver this season. He picked up an offer from UNLV and likely more to follow through next season.

"I had a lot of stress and a lot of weight lifted off my shoulders," Harper said. "It means a lot to me. In my mind, it means that all the training I've done has paid off. It tells me that somebody liked me enough to offer me a full athletic scholarship. That's really big for me right now."

Skyline LB’s List Down to Three

Skyline linebacker Corey Nelson is one of the state’s top remaining uncommitted players. He’s been recruited nationally but seems to have narrowed his list to the five he’ll take official visits – LSU, Oklahoma, Stanford, Texas and Texas A&M.

A two-year starter heading into his senior year, Nelson has been a key in Skyline winning five playoff games over the last two seasons.

While leading Skyline to last year’s Class 5A Regional Finals, Nelson totaled 156 tackles, 19 behind the line.

Nelson likely will take some official visits during January and February before deciding.