Idaho DE makes good impression

Some times when you live in the rural areas of the Western part of the country, you can get overlooked as a recruit. All you need is a national stage to show your stuff and prove to people that you've got what it takes. That's exactly what Mason Higham of Shelley, Idaho, did at the recent Provo NIKE Training Camp.

Higham, who is 6-foot-3 and 232 pounds, was one the more impressive defenders at the camp. With a 4.9-second time in the 40-yard dash, a 300-pound bench press and a great motor, he was very impressive in drill work and in one-on-ones.

"Schools are recruiting me for both tight end and defensive end," Higham said. "I've been in touch with BYU, Stanford, Snow College, Boise State, Oregon State, Montana State, Princeton, Harvard, Carol College, Idaho, Utah, Washington State, Cal. I have an offer from Idaho State."

At this point, he said Stanford, Idaho State, BYU and Montana State are the schools that have been in contact the most. He's said he's built good relationships early on with coach Whitworth from ISU, coach Steve Kaufusi and coach Bronco Mendenhall from BYU, coach and coach Jim Harbaugh from Stanford."

"Coach Mendenhall and coach Harbaugh are definitely the most impressive," he said.

When it comes time to make a decision, Higham has several factors that will play a role.

"First of all it would be the feeling around the campus, and you know share my beliefs," he said. "Academics would be second and then football having a good football program would be third. I would also say quality weight room and facilities. I don't mean it has to be a Mormon college. I just mean a place where I can feel safe and not have any personal or physical problems.

"I've been to Montana State's camp, I'm here at BYU's camp right now, I'm going to ISU's camp and I'm going to Stanford's camp and that's it. My top school right now is probably BYU, and then Stanford. After that it would be Washington State, ISU and Snow College is in my top five."