BYU Flips Texas Tech Commit Danny Saili
On Monday, defensive tackle Danny Saili flipped his commitment from Texas Tech to BYU. Saili, a three-star recruit from Hutchinson Community College, committed to the Red Raiders back in November over competing offers from Oklahoma, Miami, Arizona, Maryland, NC State, and a handful of Group of Five schools. He is a top-20 JUCO player in the country according to the recruiting services like 247Sports and Rivals. He has two years of eligibility remaining.
As part of his announcement, Saili clarified that this move was not driven by NIL. Rather, he was given "a chance to grow as a football player and as a member of the LDS church."
Saili's commitment to Texas Tech didn't keep the BYU coaching staff from reaching out and forming a relationship with him. BYU invited Saili on an official visit on the last weekend before signing day, and ultimately BYU showed enough on the official visit to get him to flip his commitment.
Saili has great size and 6'2 and 355 pounds. Even at 355 pounds, he moves very well. He can get off blocks with his strength or he can use his quickness to avoid blocks and get in running lanes. He has the talent to compete for a starting spot right away.
Saili is part of what is becoming an impressive defensive line class for BYU. Saili is arguably the best interior defensive line prospects to sign with the Cougars over the last several years. It's clear that BYU's new defensive staff is prioritizing the defensive line in this class. BYU has six defensive linemen committed in this class:
- Devoux Tuataga
- Adney Reid
- Siosefa Brown
- Dallin Johnson
- Luke To'omalatai
- Danny Saili
And BYU isn't done adding defensive linemen in this class. The Cougars are still in the running for players like Sani Tuala, Ephraim Asiata, Tonga Lolohea, Naki Tuakoi, and Kinilau Fonohema.
If BYU is able to land a few more players on that list, it could be the best defensive line class in BYU history. When Kalani Sitake was hired as BYU's head coach, the expectations of the defensive line were elevated. During his tenure, the defensive line has never been able to live up to those lofty expectations. This is the kind of recruiting class that could turn things around in the defensive trenches.
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