Several schools, including BYU, are vying for the commitment of the No. 1 ranked player from the Class of 2025, AJ Dybantsa. When the Utah Prep star made his official visit on Friday, BYU coach Steve Young and the team's fans made it known how they feel about him potentially becoming a Cougar.
Fans chanted "We want AJ!" as he arrived at LaVell Edwards Stadium. The BYU coach then made his pitch to the star small forward.
This happened during a pregame rally as the Cougars were getting ready to host Arizona. BYU won 41-19.
With the Boozer twins already committed to Duke University, schools are scrambling to get the commitment of other big names from the Class of 2025.
AJ Dybantsa recently named his final seven schools, including BYU. However, the Cougars have some big-name rivals as the other schools in his final seven are Alabama, North Carolina, Kansas, Kansas State, Auburn, and Baylor.
In On3's recruitment prediction rankings, BYU is the favorite to get Dybantsa's commitment at 41.7% while Kansas State is in second place with a 25.0% probability.
This high ranking is because of Young's aggressive approach in recruiting him, even trying to get Dybantsa to commit to the school before he became the Cougars' coach. He was an assistant for the NBA's Phoenix Suns at the time.
Of the seven schools still in the running, Dybantsa has not yet visited Baylor. Other schools that sent Dybantsa offers but were not named in his final seven include USC, Duke, Connecticut, Arkansas, Kentucky, Houston, Georgia Tech and Illinois.
BYU Cougars rolled out the red carpet for AJ Dybantsa, JJ Mandaquit
Dybantsa arrived at BYU with Utah Prep teammate JJ Mandaquit, an ESPN top 50 player. The Cougars are also seeking Mandaquit's commitment. As they arrived, the school pulled out all the stops for them.
Dybantsa told the Salt Lake Tribune that he did not ask BYU to schedule their trips at the same time and that it was just a coincidence.
Dybantsa and Mandaquit met with Cougars legends Steve Young and Puka Nacua and were treated to a VIP view of the BYU-Arizona game.
Dybantsa has said that he will make his announcement in February as he is still weighing his options.