This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2014, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

Provo • Tight end Devin Mahina first signed to play football for BYU way back in 2007. Receivers Jordan Leslie and Keanu Nelson and safety Harvey Jackson signed just last spring, transferring from UTEP, Stanford and Nebraska, respectively.

It's no wonder that BYU coach Bronco Mendenhall calls the 26 seniors who will be honored before Saturday's 2014 home finale at LaVell Edwards Stadium against Savannah State (1 p.m. MST, BYUtv) the most unique crop of outgoing players in his 10-year tenure.

When they joined the program varies from greatly — a seven-year span, thanks to the missionary program and a recent push to add talent via junior college and transfers with bachelor's degrees — as does the group's racial and ethnic mix.

"A lot of folks, when they think about BYU, they think [lack of] diversity, or that it is very homogeneous, or the same," Mendenhall said. "This senior class represents quite a few stories, and different types of individuals."

How non-traditional is this departing class? It does not include a single player who signed in 2011. Players who signed that year and did not redshirt or go on a mission would be completing their eligibility this fall.

And five players in the group — quarterback Christian Stewart, punter Scott Arellano, running back Paul Lasike, offensive lineman Quinn Lawlor, deep snapper Kevin O'Mary and defensive back Skye PoVey — started their BYU careers as walk-ons.

"We've got every possible age group covered," said senior linebacker Alani Fua, who had to cut short an interview earlier this week because he had to get home to watch his two children so his wife, Maylasia, could get to a doctor's appointment. Arellano is also married and has two children.

The 6-4 Cougars have had plenty of time to reminisce this week, because they can probably name the score against the woeful Tigers, who are 0-11 and play at the FCS level of college football. Mendenhall said Savannah State was a late addition to the schedule because a Mountain West Conference team broke a contract and left BYU scrambling for a fill-in.

"It is a difficult time for the game, and they are struggling," Mendenhall said. "So, it is a long ways for Savannah State to come play football. Man, the way scheduling works now, and the ability for people to set games, and not keep games [is frustrating], and then it is just a really unique circumstance. Being an independent adds kind of a perfect storm mix to this particular one. … We will make the best of it."

Unfortunately, four guys won't be able to step on the field for the last time, due to injuries that cut short their senior seasons: offensive lineman Brock Stringham, receiver Brett Thompson, cornerback Jordan Johnson and offensive lineman Tim Duran. They will still receiver senior blankets, before the game this time, rather than after as was done in the past.

Meanwhile, the three graduate students — Leslie, Nelson and Jackson — who took advantage of an NCAA rule that allows players to transfer without penalty if they have earned bachelor's degrees, will be playing at LES for just the sixth time. Mendenhall said all three have expressed appreciation countless times for the opportunity.

"What has been great about those young men is that they fit here, meaning they are academically strong, they have strong character and are good football players, and they have required zero maintenance or special attention," Mendenhall said. "They have come in and been grateful to be a part of the team, grateful for the rules, grateful for the wins, grateful and just be happy to be a part of the team, which is really refreshing. I think their life experience and maturity has been responsible for that."

Twitter: @drewjay —

Senior shout-out

When the 26 outgoing players signed with or joined BYU football program:

2007 • Devin Mahina

2008 • Solomone Kafu, Michael Alisa, Michael Yeck, Brock Stringham

2009 • Brett Thompson, Craig Bills

2010 • Alani Fua, Jordan Johnson, Ross Apo, Zac Stout, Quinn Lawlor, Skye PoVey

2011 • None

2012 • Marques Johnson, Scott Arellano, Paul Lasike

2013 • Robertson Daniel, Tim Duran, Edward Fusi, De'Ondre Wesley, Josh Carter, Kevin O'Mary, Christian Stewart

2014 • Jordan Leslie, Keanu Nelson, Harvey Jackson

Note: Stewart, Arellano, Lasike, Lawlor, O'Mary and PoVey started careers as walk-ons —

BYU vs. Savannah State

At LaVell Edwards Stadium, Provo

Kickoff • 1 p.m. MST

TV • BYUtv

Radio • 1160 AM/102.7 FM

Records • BYU 6-4, Savannah State 0-11

Series History • First meeting

About the Tigers • They are averaging 12.5 points per game, and giving up 44.5. … Coach Earnest Wilson III is 1-22 in his second season. … In a 34-0 loss to NC A&T last week, they had 32 carries, for minus-8 yards.

About the Cougars • They will honor 26 outgoing seniors prior to the game and present the players with senior blankets. … They are 34th in the country in total offense, averaging 452.3 ypg., and 67th in total defense, giving up 398 ypg. … Due to a significant number of injuries, 16 players have made their first Division I starts this season.