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BYU junior wide receiver Gunner Romney makes a diving catch during the game against South Florida at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2021. (Harold Mitchell, Special to the Daily Herald)

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BYU offensive linemen prepare to run a play during the 26-17 Cougar win over the Utes at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021. (Courtesy Jaren Wilkey, BYU Photo)

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BYU's Uriah Leiataua greets Cougar fans at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas after a 24-16 victory against Arizona on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021. (BYU Courtesy Photo)

Jaren Wilkey/BYU

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In 1981, the rock band The Clash asked the question, “should I stay or should I go?” in the song of the same title.

A lot of BYU football players are asking themselves the same question as the Cougars are now less than a week away from their final game of the season, the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl against UAB on Dec. 18 (1:30 p.m. MT, ABC).

There are a host of reasons that can make it a tough decision.

Some are looking at possibilities in pro football, others are considering family situations while still others might feel like transferring would open up opportunities to play more.

“For me, it’s just weighing the best options either way,” BYU junior wide receiver Gunner Romney said during Monday’s teleconference. “It’s not just football. It’s taking everything into consideration. That’s that’s pretty much what I’ve been doing, just being patient with the whole process. We’ll see what happens.”

He said he hasn’t yet made up his mind about his future.

“I’m leaning a little bit one way right now,” Romney said. “But I said I wasn’t going to decide until after the season was completely over, so that’s kind of what I’m doing.”

Cougar sophomore offensive lineman Clark Barrington has been arguably BYU’s most decorated player this season, being named to the Action Network All-America Second Team last week.

“It was good,” Barrington said. “It’s always good to feel noticed, that your hard work is paying off. It’s been a good time but I really haven’t been drawn into it a whole lot. There’s more to do. I’m just looking forward to the future and other things that we’ll be able to do here.”

While it could be argued that that type of honor might give him a boost when it comes to his draft profile, Barrington was quick to clarify that he has already made his decision.

“I already have my mind made up,” Barrington said. “I’m going to be here next year and continue to build upon what I’ve already done. Hopefully there’s more in the future and we’ll see what’s going on.”

BYU senior defensive lineman Uriah “Lopa” Leiataua knows that his career is coming to an end but he went through his own process when he decided to return for the 2021 season.

He said he has talked to some of the Cougar players about the decisions they are making and has some simple advice.

“I just say to do what makes you happy,” Leiataua said. “It doesn’t really matter what it is. I feel like people like to keep the decision black and white. I think the decision is always good and ‘good-er.’ It’s not good and bad decisions. I think no matter what you pick, you just got to go all in with it. If you decide to come back, make sure you always give your 100% and have no regrets about not leaving. Or if you leave, don’t regret not staying. It’s not my place to tell anyone whether they should stay or they should go. My biggest advice is just whatever you do choose, give it 100% so that you’re happy.”

Romney said that the process is an interesting mix of both being deeply personal while also being open for discussion with the other Cougar players.

“Ultimately, it’s an individual decision, because everybody’s in a different position,” Romney said. “Everybody has to make that decision for themselves but we kind of joke around with each other and we talk with each other about what the process is like. We’re all kind of in it together because we’ve been brothers here for the last couple of years. It’s all kind of together, but also individual.”

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