I am always going to side with the players in these types of issues. The coaches can change schools without consequences. Why can't the players? If this kid was some kind of chemistry whiz and wanted to transfer to a school with a better chemistry program, people would cheer his ambition, including the chemistry faculty at the "losing" school.
Good programs wish players well when they leave for a better situation (or more playing-time, or whatever). When fans and coaches and administrators get upset over these kinds of decisions, it just shows that a program has bad self-esteem. If byu wants to recruit missionaries, I'm fine with it. That's their thing - as long as the kid is making the decision. Coaches or administrators who prevent transfers (invoking APR concerns or "development investment") are not prioritizing the well-being of the athlete.
P.S. I will vouch for tooblue's family and the loving use of the term "d*p-sh*t. The first time I ever met his mother, she was swearing like a sailor at a malfunctioning toaster.