By ROMNEY M. STEWART
Four junior college football players enrolled last week for the winter semester at BYU.
The new signings include: Heshimu Robertson, a defensive cornerback from Cerritos College; Tacoma Fontaine, a wide receiver from Ranger Junior College; and Craig Schmitt and John Skiba, both offensive linemen from Ricks College. All will be a part of spring practices, beginning on March 6, followed by a spring game March 28.
“We feel we helped ourselves in areas where we needed immediate help,” said coach LaVell Edwards. “I feel good about all four of these players.”
“Heshie” Robertson, a 5-foot-9-inch 180 pound sophomore from Long Beach, Calif., was All-Mission Conference at Cerritos, where he was also honorable mention all-state, honorable mention pre-season All-American and was Cerritos most valuable defensive player and most valuable defensive back.
Fontaine, a 6-foot 170 pound junior from Fort Worth, Texas, was a first-team All-American at Ranger Junior College where he was led the nation in kickoff returns and was selected the number one JC wide receiver in the country. Fontaine also made all-conference as a wide receiver and kick returner.
Schmitt, a 6-foot-5-inch 299 pound junior from Yuma, Ariz., was All-American, all-region, and all-conference at Ricks in football, and a two-time All-American in track. Schmitt was also two-time region shot put champion and conference discus champion. Schmitt played for the Vikings both before and after his LDS Church mission to Seattle, Washington.
Skiba, a 6-foot-3-inch 295 pound junior from Springville, was all-region 18 and second team all-conference at Ricks, helping the Vikings to a bowl victory and a conference championship. Skiba played at Ricks both before and after his LDS mission to London, England.
Some of the factors involved in the players’ decisions to come to BYU were the opportunities to receive a solid education at a university with a good curriculum and professors. Another factor was the desire to play on a football team that is consistently very competitive in its conference and on a national level.
The new Cougars will help to fill gaps left by the departure of Ben Cook and Omarr Morgan at cornerback, Ben Cahoon at receiver and Eric Bateman, Matt Cox, and Jason Andersen on the offensive line.
