So the kid is as good as he's cracked up to be? In the age of social media, etc., finding a spouse with similar interests, background, faith, etc. isn't likely to be a problem, particularly if he stays in California, Utah, or Arizona. Even if he doesn't prove to be an NFL talent, this is still likely true.

Is the BYU experience still worth it? I believe so. But the individual student has to want it of their own accord. They're taking a chance on a program that's in a bad state with no recent track record of player-development that's particularly noteworthy. What's more, many freshmen come back from BYU with tales of an academic meat grinder, the likes of which they've never seen. Again, the student must want to be there in order to thrive.

The same would be true of trying to make it at USC, 'Bama, or another traditional powerhouse. The young man would have to feel comfortable, confident, and have a fire in the belly to succeed at one of those places before I'd give it my blessing. Both BYU and the powerhouse schools will involve leaps of faith and require overcoming challenges to succeed.

Enter the U. Track record of NFL development? Yes. Big-time competition and visibility? That too. LDS environment that's readily available? And that as well.

Now, The U is far from perfect, and my fictional blue-chip athlete child would know that as well. But there's an upside to the U that's futile to deny. Top LDS athletes and their families have certainly seen it. BYU better get their own upside straight and start producing with it fast.