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Four-star safety Gaige Weddle was at a loss for words following his visit to BYU on Saturday night. The highly touted recruit from Rancho Bernardo, Calif., was overwhelmed by the electric atmosphere and the Cougars' dramatic victory over Notre Dame.
"I'm speechless, seriously," Weddle said. "We all are."
BYU secured the win with a go-ahead touchdown in the final two minutes and then made a crucial goal-line stand to hold off the Fighting Irish in the closing seconds. The game, which was broadcast as part of ESPN's College GameDay, took place in front of a frenzied crowd at LaVell Edwards Stadium. After the Cougars prevented Notre Dame from scoring—despite a controversial no-call on a potential pass interference on the final play—fans rushed the field in celebration.
Weddle was among those who experienced the chaos firsthand. "What a sick game," he said. "Wow. Wow. Wow."
The big question now is whether this visit will elevate BYU into Weddle's top group of schools. The safety has a busy schedule ahead, with trips planned to UCLA (Oct. 24), Oklahoma (Oct. 31), Utah (Nov. 7), Georgia (Nov. 14), Miami (Nov. 21), and Ohio State (Nov. 28). For months, Georgia, Ohio State, and Utah have been considered the frontrunners, with Oklahoma also in the mix. Weddle has strong ties to Utah, as his father, Eric, starred for the Utes before a long NFL career.
Initially, Weddle had planned to take fewer visits this offseason after seeing many of his favorite schools last year. However, he reconsidered, and the trip to BYU reinforced his belief that getting back on the road is important. When asked if the Cougars could crack his top group after Saturday's experience, Weddle replied, "This definitely helped."
Key Analysis
Weddle's reaction underscores the impact of BYU's thrilling victory and the game-day atmosphere on recruiting. The Cougars' ability to compete on a national stage and deliver a memorable experience could sway the four-star safety's decision. With several high-profile visits still on his schedule, Weddle's recruitment remains wide open, but BYU has certainly made a strong impression.
Originally reported by yahoo.