Court to Walk On

Jefferson Court finished up his senior season at Alta High School as a state champion and a consensus First-Team All-State selection for the 5A level. Court will walk on at BYU this fall, as he hopes to continue his high level of play at the collegiate level at the school he always dreamed of playing for growing up.

“I’ve always told my dad since I was young that I was going to play for BYU,” said Jefferson Court. “Now that I finally have that chance given to me, I’m really excited. It’s a really great feeling to know that I’m going to be part of that team.”

Court is a 6-foot-4-inch, 215-pound linebacker prospect that starred for the state champion Alta Hawks this past year. Court turned down a scholarship offer from Utah State to join BYU’s team as a preferred walk-on, due in good part to what Cougar head coach Bronco Mendenhall told him.

“Coach Mendenhall just encouraged me to go with what I felt was right,” said Court. “And I was definitely feeling that BYU was the right place for me. I love BYU and the spiritual environment down there.”

Court’s family moved to Utah when he was just six years old, and Court can’t recall a time when he wasn’t a big fan of the Cougars.

“I remember going to a bunch of basketball and football games with my dad, so yeah, I pretty much grew up watching BYU and being a fan of BYU,” said Court. “When my family moved here that was just the school we decided to cheer for I guess, and I’ve become a huge fan. I’ve always wanted to play for BYU.”

Court was able to see some a high level of football at BYU, along with many a good player to pass through the program. But as is the case for most BYU fans his age, one player stood to Court out among the rest.

“Luke Staley; that was the guy,” said Court regarding who his favorite player was. “He was just awesome. I’d watch him and would just want to be like him. That’s the player I was a fan of most growing up, no question.”

Court won’t be logging his time at running back like Staley, however. For Court, strongside linebacker is his most likely position, as he’ll look to play the position recently vacated by fellow Sandy native Bryan Kehl.

“Yeah, that’s the position coaches talk to me most about playing,” said Court. “It’s pretty much the position I played in high school, so I’ll probably be comfortable playing at that position.”

Court obviously fits the physical dimensions that Coach Mendenhall said BYU would be recruiting in earnest over the next few years. With his size, Court could develop into a player that could play a number of positions, including outside linebacker, inside linebacker, tight end or even defensive end.

Court has kept his weight down somewhat during his high school career so he could keep in good shape to play basketball and baseball, but said he feels that he could definitely put on some more weight if coaches feel he could do better at defensive end, adding that he will play whatever position they want him at.

“I just want to help out and become the best player I can be,” said Court. “Playing for BYU is a great honor. They’re like a family down there with how they do things. I can’t wait to join them and be a part of everything BYU has to offer.”

Court will be competing immediately this coming year, as he plans on playing an entire year before leaving for a mission in May of 2009 when he turns 19.