BYU used to have a near monopoly on LDS talent, but the fact is that BYU isn't the only viable option for LDS recruits any more. There are a number of LDS coaches at P5 programs now as well as more coaches willing to work with missions. There is also more awareness of the talent in the state of Utah. In the past three years players from the state of Utah have signed with Alabama, Stanford, Arizona, Oklahoma, Michigan, Wisconsin, USC, UCLA, Ohio State, Michigan State, Oregon State and Washington State, as well as the in-state schools. Of course not all of those kids are LDS, or have a desire to go to BYU, but it should highlight the fact that BYU needs to recognize that they have a lot of competition for LDS recruits.

There are always going to be some high level LDS talent, like the Warner brothers, who will play at BYU, but there seems to be a big gap between these stars and the lower end of the recruiting classes. The bottom end seems to be getting filled with guys who are either unranked or 2 star recruits, almost all of whom are LDS. I think that's why BYU's last five recruiting classes have been ranked at an average of around 62 by Scout and 63 by Rivals. Classes ranked that low just aren't going to cut it against the tougher schedules that BYU is looking to play as an independent.