© Rob Gray-USA TODAY Sports
BYU Target McKay Madsen Talks New BYU Offer
McKay Madsen is an athlete out of Clovis, California
Now that Spring camp is in the rearview mirror, the BYU coaching staff is turning their attention to the recruiting trail. On Thursday, BYU offered Clovis, California native McKay Madsen. Madsen, a three-star prospect in the 2025 class, plays both linebacker and running back for his high school. He also excels in track and field where he throws the discus and the shotput. We caught up with Madsen to discuss his most recent offer from BYU.
Madsen was offered both by BYU linebackers coach Justin Ena and BYU running backs coach Harvey Unga. "The conversations were great," Madsen said on receiving an offer from BYU. "First with Coach Ena and him offering me and talking about how I would be a fit for the defense. Then calling Coach Unga talking with him about running back and how I could benefit the offensive side."
BYU likes Madsen on both sides of the ball - they will leave it to him to decide which position he wants to play. He is coming off a highly productive junior season after which he was named to the First Team All-State. He finished with over 1,000 rushing yards, averagin 8.3 yards per carry, and 18 touchdowns. On defense, he tallied 75 tackles, 4 interceptions, and 3 forced fumbles.
Madsen has been in touch with BYU for a few months and he's already been on BYU's campus. He was in attendance for BYU's game against Iowa State last Fall. "It’s a well run program with an awesome culture consisting of young men with similar circumstances like myself," Madsen said on what he knew about the BYU football program prior to being recruited by the staff. "I knew the game day atmosphere is awesome and the football program is highly respected on campus."
With the offer, BYU joins a long list of schools vying for Madsen's services. He holds competing offers from UCLA, Washington, Arizona, Arizona State, and Fresno State among others. He already has an official visit with UCLA locked in for May. Madsen hopes to take another visit to BYU but nothing is on the calendar. "I’m still figuring out when I might be able to take a visit as Spring is very busy with my track schedule, but maybe Summer or Fall would work during a free weekend or bye week."
On what will be the most important factors in his recruitment, Madsen said, "Academic preparation for a successful career outside of football, location in being somewhat close to family, relationships with coaches and a team culture that I feel wanted and accepted in and knowing they’ll develop me with full effort."
Madsen excels in the classroom which has caught the attention of Ivy League schools like Harvard, Princeton, and Yale.
BYU would do very well to add Madsen to the 2025 class. He has the talent to make an impact on either side of the ball and he would be able to handle the challenging academic requirements at BYU. The Cougars probably have to make up some ground in his recruitment since he's already scheduling official visits and contact with BYU was limited after his unofficial visit. Still, BYU has a chance to make an impression if they make him a priority and find a way to get him back on campus.