When Harvey left for his mission, the Utah fan base had made pretty negative remarks about Harvey and his abilities.

I have never seen anything. I'm not saying it didn't happen, but I think that the Utah fan base was pretty supportive.

As for the idea that Utah fans and coaches pressured Harvey after he said he wanted to go to BYU, I'm not sure it is as cut and dry as you think it is. First, if he had already made a decision and was 100% sure, wouldn't his own mother have known? Vai may have a special relationship with Harvey, but I doubt it's more than his relationship with his own mother.

And second, isn't that the same crap Bronco pulled with Jon Raheem Peoples? Peoples commits to BYU, then Kyle flips him by selling him on Utah's legacy of defensive linemen, then there is huge backlash because with the P12 move BYU doesn't want another PR hit that makes it look like they are no longer the big dog instate. So Bronco sounds the alarm, and guilts Peoples into recommitting to BYU.

Everybody wonders if it is ethical for coaches to put so much pressure on commits to other schools, but when it is their own coach they want him to have the "never say die" attitude. Just as BYU fans are wondering why Kyle and Utah fans won't let Harvey go, we are asking ourselves the same question. Harvey picked Utah 3 years ago and BYU fans spurned him including trashing his character and his ability to live the honor code. Why won't BYU just let him go and quit recruiting him via the LDS missionary system, etc.