So much has happened with BYU's program since mid-December, it's been easy for fans to lose sight of the distant future.

For the coaching staff, it's been a two-month period of considerable interest. Bronco Mendenhall, about to embark on his seventh year as head coach, produced as much shake-up with his aides as he had since taking the job after the 2004 season.

He basically fired his entire offensive staff -- at least that's how he made it look publicly. Robert Anae, Mendenhall's first hire, is no longer the offensive coordinator at BYU, and he's moved on to Arizona. Meanwhile, receivers coach Patrick Higgins, who had also been with Mendenhall since his promotion to the top spot, is out as the wide receivers coach (he wound up at Purdue).

That afforded the easy and highly anticipated move of Brandon Doman to offensive coordinator, after a successful six-year stint as the quarterbacks coach. The BYU legend, and former NFL quarterback, groomed John Beck and Max Hall into collegiate winners and has a tight reputation with Jake Heaps, who is looking to reach that class in the next three years he has available.

All of those changes made it easy to overlook the distant future around Heaps. This class is nothing like the one from last February, at least in comparison of prestige. Insiders consider it a meat-and-potatoes, standard group that is comprised of no flashy skill players (unlike last year, which included Heaps, Texas de-commit receiver Ross Apo among others) and is mostly full of linebackers and offensive linemen.

All in all, it's 19 newcomers, including 14 returned Mormon missionaries who have delayed their careers by a couple of years.

"This class reflects a continuation of our existing recruiting philosophy, which has helped produce one of the most successful programs in the country," Mendenhall said. "We recruit young men who are excellent football players, quality students and exceptional individuals. This class is passionate about coming to BYU, and we are excited to have them be part of BYU football."

TOP OF THE CLASS

OT Ryker Mathews (American Fork, Utah) -- The 285-pounder enrolled at BYU in the spring so he would be ready to go for early practices. He participated in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl and raised his status to one of the best linemen in the west on his way to Provo.

DE Baker Pritchard (Bingham, South Jordan, Utah) -- Headlines a quartet of talented players who will join BYU from arguably the state's premiere high school program. The 6-foot-2, 240-pound Pritchard has good speed and will fill a need as a pass rusher.

QB Alex Kuresa (Mountain Crest, Hyrum, Utah) -- An athlete, Kuresa could also move to the secondary if nothing ever opens up as a signal-caller. He started three seasons and is a gritty player who knows how to win. He fits right into the typical BYU quarterback mold.

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