Timpanogos senior quarterback Christian Stewart put together a dazzling offensive season for the Timberwolves last fall, including completing 238-of-418 passes for 3,518 yards and 44 touchdowns. Every Friday night he'd come up with another highlight-reel play that would wow fans and opponents alike.

"I was surprised with the lack of interest," he admitted on National Signing Day on Wednesday. "You'd think after breaking state records that schools like BYU and Utah would be offering a scholarship but I didn't get any offers from them."

Timpanogos head football coach Brad Molan and his staff scrambled to get the word out about their talented senior, sending out highlight DVDs and calling coaches throughout the country.

That did get some interest from other programs, but many of them backed off when hearing about Stewart's desire to serve a two-year LDS mission after his freshman season.

"That pushed me down on people's lists for out-of-state schools," the senior said. "But I think if a team wanted me enough, they'd be willing to do it."

After mulling over options to go to schools like Weber State or Snow College, Stewart eventually decided to walk on at BYU and see what happens.

"I know this is what I want to do; I just wish I had a scholarship," he explained. "I've always followed BYU, so playing there would be a dream come true."

But the lack of opportunities still frustrates the Timberwolves.

"I'm disappointed that we weren't able to come up with a Division I scholarship opportunity for him," Molan said. "He's got preferred walk-on status, but he could've done that just about anywhere.

"We're coming to the realization that if you don't attract attention by your junior year, it's too late by your senior year. Everyone is out of scholarships."

Stewart said that if the T'Wolves had used the same offense during his entire time in high school, he would've been better known.

"I wish we'd run the spread offense all four years," he said. "The switch during my junior year was a big disadvantage because I didn't have as good of a year."

Not only did he have to deal with the frustration of limited interest, Stewart also had seen the way schools had recruited teammate and fellow senior David Krugar, who signed as a lineman with Utah on Wednesday.

"It was disappointing because I had to make stuff to get my name out there while Krugar didn't have to," Stewart said.

Molan said that unless players have the size and speed colleges are looking for, they have to be on the radar as sophomores and juniors or they're in trouble.

"It's about luck and timing," the Timberwolf head coach said. "In Utah, you also need to have BYU or Utah after you or out-of-state Division I schools won't be interested."

Being extremely successful doesn't hurt, either. Timpview has won three out of the last four 4A state titles and every year has signing-day get-togethers with multiple athletes going to D-I schools.

"I think one thing we do well at is evaluating talent," said Thunderbird head coach Louis Wong. "We put kids in position to where they'll get a better look."

Wong also said that he isn't the type of coach that is out there trying to get his players noticed.

"I tell the parents in our meetings that my job is to help the kids at the skill level," he explained. "If coaches ask me about players, I'll give them my opinion, but I see it as the parents' job to shop their kids around and some have done a very good job."

Molan pointed out that while coaches want to do everything they can to get kids on to the next level, their first responsibility is to the team.

"It's not an individual sport," he said. "You look at that because you want kids to be able to go on and get scholarships, but you take care of the team and hope those other things work out."

Stewart explained that his advice to young players that might have a chance to go to the next level is to start early.

"You need to work really hard as a freshman and sophomore," he said. "You also need to get your name out there (particularly by going to camps and combines) before and during your junior year."

• Jared Lloyd can be reached at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it