BYU head coach Bronco Mendenhall looked around the filled-to-capacity Cougar Room at LaVell Edwards Stadium on Wednesday and threw out his first zinger of Football Signing Day.

There's no doubt Mendenhall was in a good mood at the event, which signifies the end of the 2008 recruiting season and produced 21 brand-new Cougar student-athletes. As to how good the Class of 2008 might be, Mendenhall reminded the Cougar Club members that the "star" system is meaningless.

"We don't care how many stars they have," he said. "When they come to BYU, they have no stars. What counts is how many stars they leave here with. It's how many stars we can put on them before they leave."

Then he playfully chastised the group for their constant internet chats and discussions.

"The stars don't mean anything, so find something else you can do with your time, please," he said.

He'll be here all week. Don't forget to tip your waitresses.

Mendenhall provided statistics for fans to chew on: Of BYU's 22 starters in 2007, 14 of them were unranked by the nation's recruiting services coming out of high school. The eight who were ranked averaged 2.5 stars (out of five).

Also, Mendenhall said the recruiting process identified 40 recruits that met the school's selection criteria: A Division I athlete with high ecclesiastical and academic standards.

"We had more than we needed," he said.

One of those players BYU worked hard to get was Leuzinger (Calif.) linebacker Uona Kaveinga, a four-star recruit who made an oral commitment during his visit to BYU in January. At the signing day event, Mendenhall acknowledged one more commitment might be coming. But Wednesday evening on live television, Kaveinga instead chose USC, which had been hot after his trail since his pledge to BYU.

"It all came down to what was best for me, what was best for my parents and the school helps me become the best player I can be," Kaveinga said on WeAreSC.com. "My parents wanted me to go to BYU, but I wanted something else. When I went home after my official visit to USC, I was thinkng it was the best opportunity for me. It's also closer to home and my family can see me play."

Another top prospect considering BYU, Hemet (Calif.) offensive lineman Hamani Stevens, had BYU in his top three but eventually chose Oregon.

BYU had 19 commitments by last August, so most of the names on the 2008 list are familiar to Cougar fans. One -- Mt. San Antonio College (Calif.) defensive end Bernard Afutiti -- was a late addition. Afutiti is a 6-foot, 260-pound defensive lineman with exceptional quickness.

"We knew him when he graduated from high school as a linebacker," Mendenhall said. "He went on a mission and has grown physically into a defensive end position. All through the process he's been working hard academically."

Mendenhall indicated four of this year's recruits have yet to qualify academically for BYU.

"We could get two of the four, but we're hoping all four can make it," he said.

Atem Bol, a receiver from Dallas, Texas, is from the Sudan and Mendenhall said while his core class work is exceptional, his language skills have made testing difficult.

"If I hope anyone can make it, it's Atem," he said.

Mendenhall also acknowledged the Cougars didn't get everyone they wanted.

"Maybe four players that fit all of our criteria didn't choose to come to BYU," he said. "After visiting with them in their homes, I think they are where they belong. In state, there were two that didn't choose us (Timpanogos defensive tackle David Kruger and Alta running back Sausan Shakerin, who both chose Utah)."

BYU didn't recruit a quarterback in the Class of 2008.

"We felt like we didn't need one and had adequate players at that position," Mendenhall said. "We get (starter) Max Hall and (backup) Brenden Gaskins for two more years and (returned missionary) Stephen Covey will be our third quarterback."

Timpanogos quarterback Christian Stewart is expected to walk-on in the fall. Two other quarterbacks -- Jason Munns and James Lark -- will serve LDS missions and return in 2010.

Cougar Club members were treated to a video of this year's recruits, reacting to big hits from Jerry Bruner (Vancouver, Wash.) and Shiloah Te'o (Laie, Hawaii) and a one-handed interception by O'Neill Chambers (Harmony, Fla.). But they outright applauded -- twice -- for Bingham kicker Justin Sorensen when he blasted a 104-yard kickoff and a 63-yard field goal.

"Justin Sorensen will play here in the fall and leave on a mission mid-year," Mendenhall said, "and I think we're all happy about that."

• Daily Herald Sports Editor Darnell Dickson can be reached at 344-2555 or by e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it