BYU Football: Best Players From All 50 States
PROVO, Utah – To celebrate July 4th and America, here at KSL Sports we’re introducing the best BYU football players from all 50 states.
Remember, some states in their history, dating back to 1922, did not have a letter for the Cougars, but they are recognized wherever there was at least one postman.
Other states like Utah, California, Idaho, and Nevada have made difficult choices. So without further ado, here are the best BYU soccer players from all 50 states.
Scroll around the map embedded below to see each player’s hometown or high school where they prepared before arriving in Provo.
Alabama
Robert Parker, Running Back (1984-1986)
Hometown: Alexander City, Alabama
Parker was a member of the BYU National Championship Team in 1984.
Alaska
Eathyn Manumaleuna, Defense Line (2007, 2010-2013)
Hometown: Anchorage, Alaska
Not many athletes have called Alaska home over the years. Manumaleuna came from Anchorage before moving to Utah to prepare at Timpview High.
Manumaleuna has been a starter along the BYU line of defense for all of his four years with the Cougars.
Arizona
Max Hall, quarterback (2006-2009)
Hometown: Mesa, Arizona
The most successful quarterback in BYU football history has ousted John Beck.
Arkansas
Caden Haws, Defensive Line (2019-TODAY)
Hometown: Little Rock, Arkansas
Only three BYU players come from the Razorback state. Two of them are in the current squad. Haws is the best of the bunch.
California
Robbie Bosco, quarterback (1981-1985)
Hometown: Roseville, California
California has the second largest number of players in the BYU football program after Utah. Bosco, a National Champion quarterback, tops the list.
Colorado
Ryan Denney, Defense Line (1997-2001)
Hometown: Thornton, Colorado
Name a more iconic duo than the Denney family and the state of Colorado. Ryan Denney, the pride of Thornton, Colorado, was a mainstay on the defensive before becoming a second-round NFL draft pick.
Connecticut
Steve Young, quarterback (1980-1983)
Hometown: Greenwich, Connecticut
Who would have ever thought that a ninth row quarterback from Greenwich, Connecticut would end up making the career they made? Steve Young is one of the greats in BYU history.
Delaware
None
Florida
Brian McKenzie, running back (1996-1997)
Hometown: Sarasota, Florida
BYU isn’t immersed in the Sunshine State very often. There have been some recruiting wins, but some of these guys didn’t work out. McKenzie sure did. He came to BYU through the JUCO scene and then made himself felt in one of the greatest seasons in BYU history in 1996.
Georgia
Bart Oates, Offensive Line (1977, 1980-1982)
Hometown: Albany, Georgia
As a BYU Hall of Farmer, Oates is one of the largest offensive linemen in BYU history.
Hawaii
Lakei Heimuli, running back (1983-1986)
Hometown: Laie, Hawaii
The state of Hawaii has produced some great BYU players over the years, with Lakei Heimuli being the best. Everywhere you look in the offensive stats of all time, Heimuli finds yourself to be the best of the best.
Idaho
Jason Buck, Defense Line (1985-1986)
Hometown: St. Anthony, Idaho
Idaho was a difficult state to choose. But in the end we had to win an Outland Trophy winner in Jason Buck. From St. Anthony, Idaho, Buck later went to Ricks College and was then one of the greatest defensive linemen in BYU history.
Illinois
Phil Odle, wide receiver (1965-1967)
Hometown: Elgin, Illinois
Odle is in the top 5 of all time wide receivers at most receptions in a BYU career.
Indiana
Brad Clark, Defensive Back (1986, 1989-1992)
Hometown: Peru, Indiana
Clark was a solid defensive back who became a starter in the later stages of his career.
Iowa
None
Kansas
Travis Tuiloma, Defensive Line (2010-2011, 2014-2016)
Hometown: Topeka, Kansas
When healthy, Tuiloma would fit perfectly inside Bronco Mendenhall’s 3-4 defense.
Kentucky
Beau Hoge, quarterback (2015-2018)
Hometown: Fort Thomas, Kentucky
Only two players are from the bluegrass state. Hoge actually started in a few games in BYU’s insane 2017 season.
Louisiana
Norm Dixon, defensive back (1986-1990)
Hometown: New Orleans, Louisiana
Dixon was a mainstay in the backend of BYU’s defense during the heyday of the Ty Detmer years.
Maine
None
Maryland
Marcus Whalen, running back (2000-2003)
Hometown: Waldorf, Maryland
On the field, Whalen had star potential when running back.
Massachusetts
Matt Cox, Offensive Line (1991, 1994-1997)
Hometown: Walpole, Massachusetts
1996 an offensive lineman in the BYU 14-1 team.
Michigan
Justin Carlson-Maddux, Defense Line (1999, 2002-2005)
Hometown: Monroe, Michigan
An incipient defensive end in 2005, a season in which BYU returned to a bowl game for the first time in four years.
Minnesota
Reed Hornung, Langer Schnapper (2010-2012)
Hometown: Anoka, Minnesota
The land of 10,000 lakes has not produced many BYU soccer players. So we’re going with a long snapper. If you can’t describe a particular game of a tall snapper, he’s done his job really well. That was Hornung.
Mississippi
Michael Morris, wide-angle receiver (2004-2005)
Hometown: Shannon, Mississippi
Mississippi was not a recruiting center for BYU. So we’re leaving with an often injured Morris who was a big departure from Itawamba JC.
Missouri
Kalani Sitake, running back (1994, 1997-2000)
Hometown: Kirkwood, Missouri
The Cougars head coach turned down Iowa and Air Force to sign with BYU as a prep standout from Kirkwood, Missouri.
Montana
Wayne Baker, defensive tackle (1972-1974)
Hometown: North Montana, Montana
One of only two BYU soccer players who come from eight-man soccer. Baker shone in the early years under head coach LaVell Edwards and then made an NFL career with Seattle.
Nebraska
Rich Pearson, wide receiver (1994)
Hometown: Kearney, Nebraska
BYU only has two players from the state of Nebraska. Both players were on the 1994 roster. Pearson was the only one lettering throughout the ’94 season.
Nevada
Kyle Van Noy, linebacker (2010-2013)
Hometown: Reno, Nevada
Probably the greatest game-making defensive player in BYU’s history. Would anyone complain?
New Hampshire
Andrew Fales, linebacker (1998-2000)
Hometown: Londonderry, New Hampshire
Only one player wrote a letter from New Hampshire, greetings Andrew Fales.
New Jersey
Ford Poston, offensive line (1998-2000)
Hometown: Newton, New Jersey
Poston was an offensive lineman for the last few years of the LaVell Edwards era.
New Mexico
Stacy Corley, running back (1986-1990)
Hometown: Scholarships, New Mexico
Corley was a versatile running back who posed a threat on the ground and in the reception game.
new York
Mekeli Ieremia, Defense Line (1974-1977)
Hometown: Tarrytown, New York
Ieremia holds the record for the most sacks in a single season in BYU football history.
North Carolina
Michael Shelton, defensive back (2014-2018)
Hometown, Raleigh, North Carolina
Shelton played 43 games during his BYU career and was a weekly starting XI for his last two seasons in Provo.
North Dakota
None
Ohio
Eddie Stinnett, running back (1982-1983)
Hometown: Springfield, Ohio
The trick game for Steve Young in the 1983 Holiday Bowl alone would put Stinnett on that list.
Oklahoma
Justin Robinson, cornerback (2005-2006)
Hometown: Tulsa, Oklahoma
Robinson is what you want a JUCO signatory to be. Immediate contribution from day one. During his two years at BYU, he started in 24 games as a cornerback.
Oregon
Luke Staley, Running Back (1999-2001)
Hometown: Tualatin, Oregon
Would anyone argue if Luke Staley was named the greatest running back in BYU football history? In 2001 he won the Dock Walker Award and has his jersey withdrawn.
Pennsylvania
John Young, Defensive Back (1982-1983)
Hometown: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Young struggled with injuries but was a solid reserve in his first season with BYU.
Rhode Island
Fred Whittingham, Defensive End (1958)
Hometown: Warwick, Rhode Island
Only one player came from Rhode Island, that was Fred Whittingham, father of Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham. The late great Fred Whittingham played at BYU for a year before joining Cal Poly Obispo.
South carolina
Terence Brown, Offensive Line (2005, 2008-2011)
Hometown: Summerville, South Carolina
Brown has been a regular starter in a handful of BYU teams that have scored more than 10 wins.
South Dakota
John Kormylo, Defense Line (1977-1978)
Hometown: Rapid City, South Dakota
The only player in BYU history to be from South Dakota.
Tennessee
Dennis Simmons, linebacker (1992-1996)
Hometown: Memphis, Tennessee
Simmons was a key reserve with the linebacker during BYU’s 14-1 season in 1996. Now he’s one of the top assistants on the Oklahoma Sooners coaching staff.
Texas
Ty Detmer, quarterback (1988-1991)
Hometown: San Antonio, Texas
Ty damn Detmer. Heisman winner. Enough said.
Utah
Jim McMahon, quarterback (1977-1981)
Hometown: Roy, Utah
Jim McMahon rewrote the NCAA record books after his BYU career ended in 1981. To date, he could be the greatest player BYU has ever produced.
Vermont
None
Virginia
Milan Christley, Offensive Line (1957-1959)
Hometown: Salem, Virginia
Christley was the best Virginia football player in 1955. He was a starter on the offensive at BYU for two years.
Washington
Marc Wilson, quarterback (1975-1979)
Hometown: Seattle, Washington
Wilson led BYU to their first undefeated regular season in 1979. Possibly one of the five largest QBs in BYU’s QB factory.
West Virginia
Lyle Patton, Guard (1947-1948)
Hometown: Charleston, West Virginia
The only player to ever come from Mountaineer State.
Wisconsin
Rocky Biegel, linebacker (1988-1991)
Biegel was a fighting machine at BYU. During his senior season in 1991, he collected over 100 tackles.
Wyoming
Brady Poppinga, linebacker (2001-2004)
A three-time all-MWC performer, Poppinga has been eclectic throughout his career, excelling as both a defensive end and a linebacker.
Mitch Harper is BYU Insider for KSLsports.com and moderator of the Cougar Track Podcast (SUBSCRIBE) and Cougar Sports Saturday (Saturday from 12-3pm) on KSL Newsradio. Follow him on Twitter: @Mitch_Harper.
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