2010 BYU Preview: The Quarterbacks
Riley Nelson
By far the biggest question in Provo these days is who will be the new BYU quarterback in 2010.
Head coach Bronco Mendenhall announced this week during Mountain West Conference media days that the race could go on well into the season.
Oh-oh!
Prevailing wisdom says that that doesn’t usually work out very well. You know the old saying – “If you have two starting quarterbacks, you don’t have any.”
Mendenhall mentioned Wednesday in an interview with Salt Lake City radio station 1280 The Zone that he wants to allow time for the competition to completely develop so that it becomes clear to all associated with the program who the best quarterback is and who should be the starter.
Bronco also said in the interview that during the spring, Jake Heaps performed more like a player in his third year in the program rather than a kid that should be finishing up his final semester of high school.
You’ll have to copy and paste it, but here is the link to the page with the interview:
http://www.1280thezone.com/
If you listen to the interview and are good at reading between the lines, what you also heard was, “We need to get some of our veteran players on board and help them to see that this baby-faced high school kid is the guy that can take us to where we want to go.”
It sounds like he wants the battle to continue so that it doesn’t appear that the young buck received something he didn’t earn.
Then again, maybe it was just me hearing things.
It’s only natural on any team for players to split into camps when there is a quarterback controversy. BYU is no different. There are players in the Heaps camp and others in Riley Nelson’s camp.
When all is said and done though, the players will follow the guy that can best get the job done on the field and gives them the best chance of winning games. That’s what Mendenhall wants his players and coaches to see and come to a consensus on. Hopefully the battle will not linger too long.
Here is a look at the quarterback candidates as the Cougars ready for fall camp.
Riley Nelson (6-0, 207 Jr) presents a dual threat for BYU opponents. His legs bring a different dimension to the Cougar offense. Fans might remember another guy that was a pretty good runner at quarterback, some guy by the name of Steve Young.
No one will confuse Nelson for Young, but he can do a pretty good impression of another guy, Brandon Doman, who just happens to be his position coach. Doman was a dangerous runner, and had enough going for him as a passer to give opponents fits.
Like Doman, Riley doesn’t have the biggest arm in college football.
Not even close.
When he throws it deep he uses all of his body to get it there. With Nelson on the field, opposing defenses have less of a worry about the deep ball.
But what they do have to worry about is Nelson’s constant threat to tuck it and run. And he is a good enough short to medium range passer to keep defenses off balance.
Riley is also a winner. He’s a leader and a very tough-minded competitor.
In the 2005 Nelson led Logan High School to the 3-A Utah State high school football championship, demolishing Pine View who was quarterbacked by another future Cougar in James Lark in the title game.
I was present at that game and have never seen a player dominate a high school game the way Nelson did that night. He passed for 335 yards and three touchdowns and ran for 161 yards and four touchdowns, most of that in the first half as Logan cruised to the state championship 56-21.
Riley finished his senior season with 4,041 passing yards and 1,774 yards rushing. He accounted for an astounding 84 touchdowns running and passing that year. He finished his career holding nine state offensive records and was rewarded by being named a Parade All-American.
But because of his lack of height (his listing of 6′0″ tall on the roster is generous) and concerns about arm strength, Nelson had few Division-1 scholarship offers.
After signing with Utah State in 2006, he started eight games as a true freshman quarterback for a hapless Aggie team. The highlight of the season was a 13-12 upset of Fresno State in Logan, a game in which Riley led the winning drive, tossing a touchdown in the final moments.
As BYU’s back up behind Max Hall last season, Nelson completed 7 of 10 passes for 99 yards and a touchdown. He also ran 21 times for 122 yards and three scores.
In spring practice this year the lefty completed 29 of 51 passes (57 percent) for 389 yards and five touchdowns.
BYU coaches figured Jake Heaps (6-2, 205 Fr) was going to be a special player. What they weren’t prepared for was how well Heaps was prepared to take over the reins at Quarterback U, straight out of high school.
With all the great quarterbacks that have passed through the halls of BYU, the Cougars have never started the season with a true freshman as the starting quarterback.
History could be made in 2010.
Heaps was so impressive in spring practice he made the stoic and famously understated Bronco Mendenhall gush. He had BYU quarterbacks coach Brandon Doman comparing him to a 23-year-old veteran.
The 18 year old won over offensive linemen like 2010 Outland Trophy candidate Matt Reynolds, who referred to him as a “great” player, and he had Cougar defensive backs raving.
Sorry if this sound like over-hyping the kid, but Jake Heaps is simply the most polished quarterback coming out of high school that BYU has ever seen, including Ty Detmer. Jake already demonstrates an unusual understanding of the game and an ability to read and understand defenses and coverages.
He has great placement with the ball, putting it where it has to be for his receiver to get it and giving no chance to defenders. Meanwhile he appears to have been born in the pocket. His pocket presence and ability to slide and move and sense pressure is uncanny for a freshman.
Another other thing that stands out about Jake is his accuracy down field. Whenever Heaps does take the field, the Cougars will get vertical in a hurry. He has great confidence in his ability with the long ball.
He can make all the throws, and his talents will allow the Cougars to stretch the field vertically and horizontally in a way that we haven’t seen in Provo in a long time.
As a high school player Jake quarterbacked the Skyline Spartans to three consecutive 4-A state championships in Washington. For his career he passed for over 9,000 yards as well as 114 touchdowns against just 18 interceptions.
He was 40-2 as a starter, named as the Gatorade Washington Player of the Year, Seattle Times MVP and played in the 2010 U.S. Army All-American bowl. He was named by some recruiting gurus as the top quarterback recruit in the nation for the 2010 class, and virtually all considered him the most ready to contribute at the college level.
During spring practice Heaps didn’t disappoint, completing 61 of his 98 attempts (62%) for 743 yards and seven touchdowns.
By the way, those close to Heaps say that he wants to face the University of Washington in the worst way.
There is little love lost between him and the Huskies. Jake knows many of the Husky players very well, and they have made no bones about the fact that they want their shots on the upstart that they feel spurned them to go to BYU.
Lost in all the Heaps vs. Nelson hype is James Lark (6-2, 200 So). At many other places James would probably be the guy. But in Provo he is currently running third.
Lark redshirted in 2006 and was primarily a scout team member in 2007 prior to serving a mission in St. Petersburg, Russia.
Lark is a capable quarterback with a good arm that will look to take the battle to the other QB contenders come the beginning of fall camp. He has some serious ground to make up though and will have to fend off another contender on the depth chart in Jason Munns who returned from his mission in Mexico in May.
Cougar coaches have commented how much James grew and developed as a person on his mission and how that has affected both his game and his leadership for the good. He’s definitely taken his game to the next level.
Sadly, while serving in Russia, Lark had to deal with the tragic loss of his longtime girl friend and BYU heptathlete Chelsi Petersen who was killed in a car accident in Provo Canyon.
James excitement to reunite with the Cougar team was evidenced last December when he flew home from the mission field directly to Las Vegas to witness BYU’s beat down of the Oregon State Beavers in the Las Vegas Bowl.
During spring ball James was 27 of 46 through the air (59%) for 253 yards and no touchdowns.
Coach Mendenhall made the statement during media days that he would open the competition to up to four guys. That would indicate that recently returned missionary Jason Munns (6-5, 244 Fr) will get his shot when fall camp begins.
His shot may be a long one though, since he just returned home from his mission.
Munns is blessed with size and talent. He starred at Southridge High School in Kennewick, Washington where he passed for nearly 6,000 career yards.
Jason redshirted during the 2007 season due to a season ending knee injury during fall camp. Before the injury he impressed coaches will his ability. If he shows a work ethic and can handle the mental part of the game, he has all the physical skills to become a terrific quarterback.
Am I the only one pulling for Munns to win the job. Maybe Im naive. I know he has mission rust. But that guy was just amazing before the mish. Plus his size alone would make it difficult for mtn west defenses to bring him down. I guess Im hoping for longevity at the position instead of four great years with Heaps we could have seven with Heaps as the heir to Munns.
Brett,
I am always impressed with the details and insight of the articles on this site. The information is well appreciated!
Regardless of who starts September 4th, the coaches, players, and fans all agree that winning is most important. Whoever gives us the BEST chance to win, is who I want to play QB.
Bronco mentioned during the Media Days that he is not oppossed to running with two QB’s. What are your thoughts on this possibility? Is this really a viable option? They both have extraordinary talents that can give our offense an edge and I am not oppossed to it.
Thanks again!
Anyone have any insight on how summer workouts have gone? Especially curious to know if Munns has been able to shake off the rust, along with Lark, and see if they can make it a true 4 horse race? Otherwise, sounds like it will be down to 2.
millhouse,
I’m concerned the Cougars could lose Jason because of a log jam at QB. If Heaps wins the starting job this year, I can’t see Munns being satisfied sitting the bench for the next three or four years.
I really don’t understand why Munns (or any of the other QBs) have not transferred yet. I think one of the most amazing things about the whole QB situation is that no one has transferred. Maybe they’ve all heard Steve Young speak, wasn’t he 9th on the depth chart at one point? Maybe they all love BYU that much?.?
When John Beck first appeared on campus it was obvious to we practice spies he was better than the rest, same with Max Hall.
As far as summer drills go, all four are doing very well. All are on target, have great footwork, this is the best group since Wilson And Jimmy Mac.
We don’t know how it’ll work out. Some of us our saying Heaps is another Ty, others saying “not Quite!”
Personally, I hope Munns shows up and beats them all out, not because I know Munns, but because of the competition he would have to beat to win the starting job. Best man plays!
I think Bronco is very smart doing what he’s doing, get the best out of all of them, he just may be forcing those who can see the handwriting on the wall to pick another position or transfer, chance he has to take to get the best man in the position.
Munns is strong and athletic, he could play TE or outside linebacker.
Nelson could play running back and offer big options with running and passing.
Lark and Heaps are quarterbacks, thats where they’ll stay, here or someplace else. Personally, I hope Heaps redshirts and goes on a mission.
At the moment, I think Nelson is the best choice at QB.
Bob
Bob,
Always nice to have your reports!
Bob,
What have you seen regarding the other skill players on both sides of the ball? I assume that you have seen 7 on 7 drills, so what’s your take.
Nelson is a bad choice for the starting QB. He’s good. And he’s impressed me. I think he’s a leader, and the team will follow him, but he’s not Tim Tebow. Bronco knows he can’t take BYU to a championship. His skill set is too limited, and this year BYU doesn’t have enough other weapons to compensate. Teams can take away the short throws leaving Nelson with his legs or throwing long. His arm is limited going vertical, so he’d have to hoof it out if the short throws are covered. If we had Unga, I think Nelson is a more viable option because Unga could carry the load running. As it is, we have no proven running backs that can carry 20+ times a game, and you don’t want your starting quarterback getting hit 20+ times a game. If he can’t open it up down the field. For this reason, I think Nelson won’t get the nod.
Heaps is better than Lark, unless Heaps chokes this Fall and Lark takes off. But I don’t see Lark beating out Heaps. Lark will be a great back-up, but Heaps can do everything Lark can do only better. Plus, Lark has no experience at the D1 level to give up a leg up on Heaps, and Heaps is still in football mode.
I think the real battle is between Heaps and Munns, but the timing is wrong. Munns will be good, but he is just returned from his mission. His timing and physical abilities will be off for at least another year. Bronco wants to win this year, so he isn’t going to burn a year with Munns learning the ropes as the starting QB while Munns shakes off the mission rust. I don’t think Heaps wants to play back-up to Munns. He wants to start.
Thus, I believe that Heaps will be the starter, even though he is a true freshman. And if he starts, I don’t think he’ll serve a mission. I don’t love the idea of having a true freshman at QB. I watched a lot of football last year, and I noticed how Matt Barkely at USC was inconsistent as a true freshman QB. He was as hyped as Heaps coming out of high school, if not more, and USC had a lot of other weapons. True freshman just struggle to adjust to the D1 level of speed.
I also think that Munns will end up transferring as he’d sit for three years behind Heaps. (If Heaps is good, he’ll leave after three.)
Just my opinion, but I agree with the author. Heaps is the best QB and Bronco knows it; now he needs the rest of the team has to get behind him.
Heaps is the man for the job because of his superb training since he was pre-adolescent, and his maximizing of that training. For Bronco to marvel at his play-making ability in Spring ball and say aloud that he played like a three-year player in the program tells it all. His foot work—which is 50% of what a quarterback must master—is almost perfect, his ability to sense oncoming blitzes and slide within the pocket, his ability to make both the vertical stretch the field long passes as well as the short passes with pin-point accuracy all show us he will be almost impossible to beat out for the starting position.
Riley needs to be used as an option threat. If he were to take the pitch out and then run or pass, it would be a dynamite alternative offensive tool. If Heaps goes down, he could come in and make defenses shift gears.
Mums could also play the full-back position and take a pitch-out and either throw or pass as another option. Mums is an outstanding athlete. I would hate to see him transfer. He is needed by the team and needs to be used in one capacity or another until his time comes. If Jake gets hurt, he is definitely the best secondary back-up. Riley will graduate while Mums is still in the program. Dual quarterbacking does not always mean that one alone plays the position. Having two quarterbacks in the game at the same time, especially when one is 6 foot five inches and 243 pounds sounds like a tremendous option to look at seriously—especially when both quarterbacks can throw the long ball and run.
James Lark is an excellent quarterback but is on the short end of an era with incredible quarterback skilled players, all of which look to be NFL bound eventually.
Good fortune to Bronco and Doman in deciding who plays and when and how. Go Cougars!!!
I have never seen Munns play. He was after my time…but I played football in the big nine up in washington against teams like Southridge. And the competition isn’t really that great. Not many great players come out of that league. We all kind of remember drew bledsoe at Walla Walla, and one kid that played backup qb at Florida State. And Taylor stubblefield who caught a lot of balls from drew brees at purdue. But not a ton of great players. I’m pretty familiar with the Washington High School Football scene and I think that Jake Heaps faced a lot better competition at skyline than Munns did at Southridge. For what its worth.
I have to say that one of the hardest things about being a BYU fan is getting hyped up for a recruit and to have that recruit red shirt then disappear for two years only to return to get lost in the mix of new players. It has to be be difficult being a recruit knowing that if the stars don’t align just right a mission might lead to a career on the second team. RMs like Hall and Pitta were back in time to step in for exiting starters. I feel for Lark because I don’t think he’ll ever see the field. I’m hoping Heaps wins the job this year and has such a great time on the fireside tour that he turns in his papers ASAP leaving the his redshirt year intact and opening the starting spot for Munns. That being said I’m not to worried about the offense it always seems to produce. I’m just hoping we find some d-linemen that fit the 3-4 so the LBs can run free.
Nelson starts. Heaps will see time, but Nelson starts. Experience counts. Nelson has it, Heaps doesn’t.
“When he throws it deep he uses all of his body to get it there”
I think the word that best describes his long throws would be that he “heaves” the ball downfield. On a third and 2-4 yards, I don’t see any reason not to insert Riley and drive the defense into overcommitting to either the pass or the run, while he has the option to do either. I would love to see a direct snap to a back, followed by a pitch to Riley allowing him to sweep wide to his right. Bottom line: Once or twice in 25 years does any school have the opportunity to bring in a consensus top QB recruit in the country, when you succeed in signing one you ride his arm as soon as he has command of the offense. Jake has known for at least 4 years he was going to BYU, in that time he has watched hundreds of hours of film as well as observing practice whenever he had the chance to race on down to Provo. He WILL be BYU’s QB in 2010.
What we’re looking at is window dressing on the part of Bronco to convince the team that a guy they have become close to did have his chance to be the man, all the while knowing full well Heaps has otherworld talent that you can’t allow to sit. Win or lose in the first 4 games of the season, by the 5th, the numbers of true freshman starting will be at least 5, likely 7.
Both Heaps and Nelson will play.!!! to much pressure to put on one freshman kid, Heaps will take over at some point.
There is no substitute for good leadership at the QB position. One may have all the physical talents in the world, but the ability to think and react under pressure is the key to being successful in the board room,football field or in battle. One just can’t fully game plan for a big football game becuase one can’t be sure what the other guy is going to do. For this reason, I endorse Riley Nelson for starting QB this year. He can think outside the box when necessary and his team mates will follow to him.
Like most here, I think Heaps will be the starter. If we still had Unga in the backfield and Pitta and TE it would be a different story. But the strength of this team (outside of the O-line) is the wideouts. A Jacobson, Chambers and Apo combination has this team built for a vertical offense unlike any Cougar squad in the past. And that fits Heap’s abilities just as much as it goes against Nelson’s.
I value leadership and experience but Heaps really is that rare freshman that has it on the same level as a junior or senior. So Nelson really does not bring any leadership skills that Heaps does not already possess.
A very small consideration may be Matt Reynolds. He is considered one of the top left tackles in the country and is set to be a first round draft pick. He is a team player and would never picket to stay at LT. But I’m SURE he would personally prefer to play out this season at LT rather than moving to RT to protect Nelson’s blind side. That could play into that veteran player support Mendenhall is looking for. The fact that rumor has Heaps’ building a nice rapport with Jacobson and Apo only builds that player support.
I see Nelson as a quality, supportive backup who would quickly become one of Heap’s biggest supporters as well as getting in for a few option plays each game. But no way we will keep both Lark and Munns and it is conceivable we eventually lose both. Both could step down to a lower division team and start right away. I personally see both preferring that over finding a new position.
Is it just me because when I watch Jake Heaps highlights it looks like a BYU game. Except for the uniforms it seems like John Beck at quaterback. I think Jake Heaps has been at the best high school program in the country playing an offense a lot like BYU’s. He is ready to play. There is no question in my mind.
David, I agree with some of your points. For instance if Riley doesn’t start he will be a team player and support who ever handles the reigns. I also agree with your observation that Matt Reynolds will feel more comfortable playing with Jake due to Jake’s throwing skills and ball handling.
However, Jake is an 18 or 19 year old freshman.
Riley is a mature 23 year old with plenty of “smarts” and lots of football savey. Actually Riley in many cases will be able to size up situations better than an 18 year old or the coaches. He has those skills and I’ve observed them first hand.
Balancing leadership and experience with a newby is not a difficult call for me.
As I’ve said before, the way I see it if the QB battle ends up being close then Nelson will get the start regardless if he’s ahead or behind. For Heaps to start as a true freshman he has to be head and shoulders above the rest of the pack. I think we will see him break farther away in Fall camp and probably be named the starter the week before the Washington game. But I think any of our top 3 QB’s (yes even Lark) could lead this team.
I’m glad to see that Bronco is not making the same mistake Crowton did in 2002 when he had the #1 recruit in Ben Olson and just redshirted the guy instead of giving him a chance to compete. Oh well, you learn from the past.
i agree with everything ADAM said above
For all the Riley neilson supporters the fact that a “TRUE FRESHMAN” is pushing you for the starting job speaks volumes to me and i think alot of fans. Heaps is the starter why bother making a mistake with nielson. The whole universe knows its jakes job the next 4 years if he is hear that long! Riley im sure is a great guy but why continue this debate?
Herf, if Heaps is the starter then he will prove it in Fall camp by battling it out with the other QB’s. BYU is not gonna just hand over the keys to a true freshman QB unless he has proven without a shadow of a doubt that he is the one.
Heaps will be your starter. He is ready, and will be an exellent college QB.
As a UW fan, I find it a little hard to beleive he really thinks that UW players and coaches hold something against him that he chose BYU over us. I don’t think they batted an eye. BYU seems like a great choice for him, and has many advantages for him that we couldn’t provide. I suspect he’s either misreading dignals from Montlake, or the author is embellishing a little bit.
Anyway, best of luck on your season. Sounds like you have some holes to fill , but a very talented incoming class from which to get some help.
I agree most with the article written in the Deseret News today. Do we all really want to see Heaps start on this team? I think if you sat back and thought about it, it would be more advantageous for Cougar Nation to let Heaps red-shirt and then have 4 years with more experienced teams. While we all want a BCS game, let’s not put the cart before the horse.
PS…people are criticizing Riley’s arm? Do these fans realize that the QB that just left BYU didn’t have the strongest arm either? And look what he did for the Cougs! I’m just sayin’…
It is not often that I can spend the entire offseason thinking about one BYU football subject and not get tired of it. This has been a terrific debate and, I feel like I’ve gone around the circle a couple of times. Let’s get it on!!!
I’m in the camp of those who want Munns to make a great showing. I don’t actually care who starts but I would like to see BYU develop a true prototypical pro prospect. Munns is that big horse with a howitzer hanging from his shoulder that the NFL scouts love. Ultimately though, I just want us to win so I hope we can do that. I expect we will get at least on of these QBs hurt this year so the depth will be needed. If I was advising a kid who was 2nd or 3rd string at BYU after fall camp, I would advise the kid to stay and play at BYU because young QBs get hurt.
Both Beck and Berry struggled as underclassmen with injuries. Both of them broke their hands and Beck didn’t seem to think it was necesary to slide against USC in ‘03. He took a hit that knocked him out. Both of those guys were RM’s that had been out of football for a few years though. Heaps has not missed prolonged periods of football although his experience is with high school.
The funny thing about spring drills, fall camp, and playing in high school championships is that it is not the same as playing a real down in division I college football. I hope Jake is as good as everyone things he is.
J2,
As I said before, this is the best crop of receivers ever at BYU, best O line ever at BYU, and our D backs are not doing as well against the receivers. But what great practice they’re getting. Our D will be very good. Not great, just very good.
The QB’s are throwing relaxed and accurate because there is no game pressure, lets see what happens during game time, the reason I see Nelson starting against Wazoo. Nelson is as good as Max Hall, and has a great football mind.
I think our O will have to score 24 points or more to win. I doubt that’ll be a problem!
In my opinion, we’ll have the best O in the league, best O line, best receivers, but TCU will have the best D. We’ll be able to handle their O, will they be able to handle our O?
I doubt I’ll be able to visit RES this year and watch the Utes, but I believe they’ll be pretty good. I think they’ll finish 6th or 7th! everybody in the league will be gunning for the Utes! Every tackle dummy in the league will have a red Ute shirt on it!
Uh–Who else is in this league???
Bob
Wazoo is Washington State University in Pullman, Washington, BYU plays University of Washington, “The Huskies”. Maybe you caught the mislabeling syndrome from the SL Tribune, they refer to Texas Christian University as “The Bullfrogs” rather than “The Horned Frogs”.
Berry, Engnemann, and Mortensen, never had the competition in high school and via the camps that Jake has been up against. He has played against the best defensive backs and defensive lines in high school football, in the camps and all-star games. Folks this kid has been #1 in every QB competition, that invites the top 10, 7,5, or 11 high school QB’s in the country. Few college teams could compete against Oaks Christian where every kid gets a D-1 offer and all but a few starters are not 4 or 5 star athletes.
There has never been other BYU QB with a comparable history or such a storied past, (since the 7th grade). Avoid the comparisons this kid is worlds better than Ben Olsen who didn’t have a pedigree close to what Heaps brings to Provo. He’s in a different galaxy than the three QB’s listed above, part of the “dial a QB, experiment”.
Few college teams could compete against Oaks Christian where every kid gets a D-1 offer and all but a few starters are not 4 or 5 star athletes.
Sorry, my comment wasn’t clear or complete. I was refering to college recruiting classes not major college teams. Few colleges, maybe Notre Dame during the good years, Florida and USC, have the recruiting classes that compare with the starters playing for schools such as Oaks. Skyline played Oaks last year in a pre-season game. Montana, one of Joe’s sons started for Oaks, Jake of course for Skyline. BYU may see Montana playing a few minutes for UW in the opener if Locker has to leave the game for a rest. BYU doesn’t have the luxury of a Locker.
I had the unique opportunity to coach against Oaks Christian in several summer passing tournaments in CA and they were good, but not quite as good as the Rev is making them out to be…They are not super giants, just a really fantastic high school football team, but they are still a high school team, even with their superstar recruits, they do not play like a D-1 school.
Folks have to remember that it is VERY RARE that a true freshman steps on the field at ANY position on ANY team, so yeah, the recruiting classes were good but not even those Oaks Christian super phenoms are going to be starting for their respective schools.
Neilson starts against UW, and then we’ll see from there. Hopefully fall camp will narrow the list from four to two contenders, and one will emerge by game two or three. It could be a rough start to the season…
I do like the concept of playing multiple QBs depending on the situation, keeping the defense guessing. If Bronco’s team first “collective” philosophy takes root, it might be possible. Neilson in the wildcat would be interesting no matter how the QB derby ends up.
Heaps may be all-world, but let’s see him prove it on a D-1 field first. I recall another highly touted QB a few years ago who went to all the Nike camps and won all the awards who didn’t pan out too well — Cody Hawkins hasn’t produced for his dad at Colorado.
What better way to get the dogs of UW raving mad than “mistake” those puppies with “them” they consider nothing more than a teachers college.
I’ll just say one more thing about Heaps; If Bronco starts Heaps, and he proves unable to adjust quickly to the speed of D1 football, Bronco would not hear the end of it.
The coaches have a QB already proven he can play at the speed of D1 football, if Heaps “is” the better talent as many suppose, let the coaches work him in a bit at a time, get him acclimated, don’t just throw him to the “Dogs!” There’s no need!
One other thing, When Beck started as a freshman, he had the sorriest O line in modern era (1964-present) BYU history.
Locker is being touted as the pre season Heisman winner! BYU beat him in 2008 with Max Hall who had played college football, was accustomed to the game! We should never down play experience.
Years ago, a great coach, and I’m sorry I don’t remember his name stated “If I had to choose between talent and experience, I’d take experience every time!”
Even Ty was brought along slowly by the coaches.
Lets trust the coaches!
Bob
I’m with you Bob! Great comments. To me it just comes back to what we (as fans) are willing to give up to see Heaps NOW!
If you all think he is the savior of BYU football, then don’t rush into wanting him to start as a freshman to improve us from 7-6 to 8-5. Let him continue to develop through one more year and allow him to take us from 10-3 to 13-0.
This year’s offense is weak at the skill position…maybe not weak but UNPROVEN. Aside from McKay Jacobsen, we are by committee. Now imagine a senior Jacobsen with experienced TEs, RBs and WRs next year alla 2006-2009 and there you have it, an 11-2 team that has your beloved heisman hopeful at the helm and he guts out two more wins to make the team 13-0 because he is the chosen.
I like wasting years of eligibility on Championships, not also-rans.
The quarterback that’s the most productive,and whoever the coaches feel will score the most points, will certainly be the starter.
I don’t think there’s any question who was the most productive in the Spring, it was Jake, so he should be the frontrunner heading into
Fall camp.
So, whoever the coaches feel is the most productive and successful in leading this team in Fall camp should be the starter, whether it be Riley,Jason,James or Jake,period.
“Even Ty was brought along slowly by the coaches”
I can’t quite agree with the comment. Chow tried to quickly prepare Ty to play ASAP and he did play a great deal even if he didn’t start. Talent wise BYU needed him, no one else was close to his ability. Recall the Freedom Bowl vs Colorado when Ty ignited the Cougar offense bringing BYU back to a quality win. I doubt we’ll ever find a QB with Ty’s field smarts, nor a QB with a 6th sense of what was happening around him more so than Jimmie Mac. Ty had a two concussion game at Wyoming to start his sophomore season, then with the papers labeling him an overrated bust, he took the Cougars to Austin to put a whipping on a Longhorn team that was favored by 21 points. That’s where Ty showed his character and immense talent. I don’t think fans, even those who have caught a good case of Jake-itis realize the path this kid has taken to get where he is. It wasn’t long ago when Ben Olsen finished up an injury prone, mostly busted career at UCLA, and his training and development wasn’t close to what Heaps has been through. He has played against kids that certainly had D-1 speed, in units that any top 10 team would have loved to recruit intact. I have no idea if he’ll play much, redshirt, or even start, but BYU has never had a freshman QB arrive on campus this prepared to play, and let’s face it, did he struggle mightily in spring ball? Was he obviously in second place competing with Riley?
Lets trust the coaches!
The comment shows your impatience with fans who have a different point of view, while also making the assumption any one of us, the boosters, other fans, have one iota of say in the matter. Of course the coaches will make the decision, how on earth do you figure that we, the great unwashed, challenge that right? The QB spot at BYU is as much a key battle in college football as a middle linebacker from Penn State or the running back battle at USC. What the blazes are we going talk about in the dog days of August before practice starts? Ease up on us, in a way this reminds me of the clown that likely killed and hid his wife’s body in SLC during December. While the stories were hot and folks were commenting like crazy on every story, you had a few people strongly criticize those who made the assumption, likely correct, that this controlling loser DID murder his wife. The result was a harsh outpouring of heat telling the commentators to shut their pie holes because anyone is innocence until proven guilty. Unless a person is named to be the judge or jury, if and when, the case comes to court what difference does it make? Knee jerk reactions are fair game.
Bronco has in-as-much said he is going to play 2 qbs at the start of the season. And I think that is what happens unless Heaps really wows. I heard Riley was coming on strong and he certainly has some intangeables a lot of fans like to dismiss that I do not….namely being a winner and his running skills.
I say good. Throw them out there and see who proves to be the best on the field.
I hope Lark hangs in there because he seems like a great kid, and much improved work ethic since his mission. That story about his girlfriend was just horrible. I heard he has some good skills so he could contribute at byu if he wants to give another position a chance.
Sadly, Munns is facing a huge unhill battle and horrible timing. Sometimes the 3 qb gets to play so there’s always a chance. I hope he hangs in there.
“Heaps may be all-world, but let’s see him prove it on a D-1 field first. I recall another highly touted QB a few years ago who went to all the Nike camps and won all the awards who didn’t pan out too well — Cody Hawkins hasn’t produced for his dad at Colorado”
Having spent many years living in Denver, being transfered in and out a few times, and picking up my MBA at CU, I closely follow the Buffs, even if doing so is more of a Hawk death watch. You are completely off the track with your comment. Cody was never an all-anything, or camp MVP. You can’t even call him a bust because it was clear long ago that he had neither the talent or poise to play on a Big-12 level. In fact his losses to Montana and Toledo beg the question, can he compete at the D-1AA level? I’ll buy you a Hires Big H for every camp, you document, wherein Cody Hawkins was the MVP. He came to play for his dad via the nepostism route, he played for his dad because he was the coaches son. if I posted your comment at the Denver Post, I’m certain the football gods would revock both our memberships in the “College Super-Fan” club, and you could hear Woody Paige, Mark Kiszla, Irv Moss, Natalie Meister, and Dave Krieger laughing so loudly the folks on the other side of the Rockies would feel the groud shake. I have no idea if your attempting to make the point that freshman can’t start or that Jake is overrated, Nike camp MVP’s aren’t the bomb, or if you are an unabashed Riley fan, but please don’t even try to place Cody Hawkins on the same level as Jake Heaps.
FWIW- I think fans will enjoy the weird drama that has been going on in Boulder, freshman QB’s, family ties, alternating QB’s and all. I can’t think of Utah yutz PAC-12 pride and not link them to Colorado, as the two bottom feeders who were there when the league was rejected by the Big-6.
(Woody Paige in the Denver Post)
“Tyler Hansen’s ability to improvise enabled him to establish a CU single-season record last year for rushing by a true-freshman quarterback with 261 yards. He had 86 yards against Kansas State on 19 carries after coach Dan Hawkins decided to take off his redshirt. The plan this fall was for Hansen to finally get that redshirt season, but after Cody’s struggles for three years, and with CU at 1-4, that plan went out the window”
“Now, the two quarterbacks are “even,” just as they were.
Cody Hawkins was the starting quarterback in 2008. Tyler Hansen took over as the starting quarterback, Hawkins took over again, Hansen came back again. Hawkins was the starting quarterback in 2009. Hansen took over again, Hawkins came back in again, Hansen took over again.
My goodness. WILL SOMEBODY PLEASE MAKE UP HIS MIND!
The offense is struggling.
The coaching staff doesn’t want to make excuses, but . . . excuse, excuse, excuse.
“We’ve got to clean some things up.” — Dan Hawkins, following the Buffaloes’ 28-20 loss to Nebraska on Nov. 27, 2009.
“We’ve got to clean some things up.” — Dan Hawkins, following the Buffs’ lackluster scrimmage April 2, 2010.
I don’t blame Hawkins the Elder for wanting Hawkins the Younger to be a great QB and lead the Buffs out of the wilderness, but it hasn’t happened in three seasons. The coach said: “Trust me” when he recruited his own unheralded son, then “Trust me again” when he gave him the starting job as a freshman.
…………………………..
CU has H2O — Hawkins and Hansen on Offense, back and forth, back and forth. After the Texas game in Austin last season, when Hansen replaced Hawkins (6-of-18, two costly interceptions, three lost fumbles), offensive coordinator Eric Kiesau came into a tiny interview room and announced that Hansen would be the starting quarterback. The few of us in attendance assumed that meant from then on, Hawkins would be relegated to bench duty until his career was over in Boulder.
Instead, nothing has changed. The starting job, as it was last spring and last summer and last season, is split evenly.
In the mailbag, Dan Hawkins pleaded for Buffs fans to get behind the team. At the moment, a lot of them are way, way behind the team.
If Hawkins the coach wants the support of his family, he will name Hawkins the quarterback. If he wants the little remaining support of the fans and the players and the athletic department, he will name Hansen the quarterback.
Whoever is best. Start them. If Heaps is here and now and is better than the other 3, play him.
Goodness. Are we expecting a quarterback drought for the next several years?
Play to win. BCS auto bid consideration is coming.
From the way, way out prediction department, located at the home office in Castle Rock, comes one startling new pick.
** Jason Munns will move to Tight End, if he doesn’t pack up and leave for another opprtunity elsewhere to run an offense. The man HAS the stereotypical college (Tebow) QB (or BYU TE) body, at 6-5/6 and 245 pounds. He’s just too good an athlete not to be used. BYU has a treaure trove of true and redshirt freshman TE’s, IF through injuries or lack of production, and the position at BYU is more receiver than blocker, look for Jason to make the move in order to play.
Last week we predicted that Jonh Beck would very soon, not be wearing Raven purple, which was likely since coach Harbough hasn’t comitted to keeping more than two QB’s, and John was in the 4th position. The above would fit into the “not very likely” position, but still possible, it has happened at BYU before. If I’m not mistaken Steelers defensive lineman Brett Keisel was a QB from Wyoming, before growth turned him into a lineman. I need to double check that one and find the names of the two 1980-90’s QB recruits who were moved.
Rev wrote: I’ll buy you a Hires Big H for every camp, you document, wherein Cody Hawkins was the MVP.
I lived in Boise when Cody was in high school, and Dan was the BSU zen-master. My recollection was that Cody won the Elite 11 QB competition that year — I haven’t been able to find a source (with minimal web searching), or find any rankings from that camp. Other camp participants in 2005 included Tim Tebow, Matthew Stafford, Juice Williams, Jake Locker, Jevan Snead, Josh Freeman, Kevin Riley, and others: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ESPN_RISE_Elite_11#2005
My bad for relying on memory only.
With a little more research, it appears Cody Hawkins won the “Most Accurate” Elite 11 award in 2005, and was #4 in the MVP rankings. Matthew Stafford was the MVP, don’t know where Tebow and others ranked. It also appears that the Elite 11 goes out of it’s way to give out several awards — I haven’t counted, but it seems like kids soccer where everybody gets a trophy.
Jake Heaps was the Elite 11 MVP this past year. Ben Olson is also an alumni. No other BYU QB has participated.
So Cody Hawkins wasn’t MVP, but he did win a trophy.
(Dang, can’t collect a Hires, but I didn’t say MVP, I said award). However, he was traveling the same circles in 2005 that Heaps did last year, and Cody did well against top notch competition. I think that puts them in the same discussion, if not the same page.
I don’t have a horse in the QB race, I just want my Cougars to be successful. My point is that for at least the first snap of the first game this year, I’d go with on field D-1 experience (all other things being equal), and Neilson is the only guy with that on his resume. Freshmen accolades are hit and miss, even good performance in practice can wilt on the battlefield. I won’t be convinced about any of these guys until I see it live, on the field, in a game that counts.
@ Rev and JC…
Just heard of a great new blog called deepshadesofblackandgold.com
Go Buffs!
OK JC, I’ll pop you a Big H. (let’s meet before or after a home game)
What’s your feeling regarding the complete failure of Bronco coaches leaving the bosom of the Gem State to continue on at Arizona State and Colorado? I’m in Phoenix presently, my BS from way back when was from ASU, I follow both the Sun Devils and the Buffs, but BYU is life. I’d miss my own wedding or the birth of my first child for a BYU football game, while missing out on a second cousins wedding to watch Colorado or ASU. In 1976-77 I had a chance to be a student liaison within the athletic department, when the Devils moved to the PAC, working for Fred Miller the AD. Later I stayed pretty close to the Dirk Koetter situation, and along with every member of the media, 99% of the fans, and everyone in the athletic department, I was very happy to see him leave. I know his name pops up with most, west of the Mississippi D-1 openings, however I don’t see it, he is too hard to deal with, he won’t smooze alums and boosters, nor even speak civilly with reporters. You can do it in Idaho when the “Idaho Statesman” is the big gun, as without kissing up to the Bronco coaches, they wouldn’t have a sports section. Dan Hawkins, has just been terrible, losing every Colorado top 25 kid with his 2010 recruiting class (the worst in the Big-12), and seemingly being in way over his head. As far as Cody is concerned, 6 of 18, two ints, and 3 lost fumbles, in one half of football says it all. I like the elite 11 idea because they bring in the top 11 from across the country not just the California top kids. Jake was the overall MVP and won two other honors, I think it was accuracy and leadership. Was Cody a Bishop Kelly kid, along with my favorite fruitcake Jake “The Snake”. I was here when he sexually assaulted (groped) two young women, after he was drafted by the Cards, outside a Scottsdale college bar. He got a tiny slap on the hand, (the non-throwing one). I was transered back to Denver when the Bronco’s brought him to Mile High. I can’t seem to separate he and the Steelers Big Ben, as athletes behaving badly.
FWIW-I think the rivalry’s remaining, after 2010, in the MWC, (BSU, BYU, and TCU) will be more fun and a lot healthier than when Utah was involved. I have been to a few Alabama games including when BYU played there, UCLA, Wash, Nebraska, home games, and saw ZERO mocking, no taunting, no nasty signs or cheers It was all positive and classy. Making the very long walk from the stadium to our car after the Bama game, (a 7pt loss) at least 30 fans came up and shook our hands and told us how impressed they were with BYU. They love football, very good football, win or lose. At times you have to wonder if Utah fans love their team or just hate BYU.
Rev, Cody did go to Bishop Kelly HS, but I belive “the Snake” is a Capital High alum.
I don’t know if I’m more mystified by the lack of success BSU coaches have had after leaving Boise, or the continued success at BSU through the periodic coaching changes. On paper, BSU the past few years has seemed like a “finesse” team, reminiscent of BYU in the 70’s. But BSU hasn’t had trouble with bigger, faster, stronger athletic teams compared to Lavell’s golden age teams. I keep waiting for BSU to fade like Marshall, Fresno, Ball St, etc. but they haven’t. They may have reached critical mass at this point, enough to stay relevant on the national scene for years to come.
BSU and BYU will be instant rivals, at a deep level but hopefully more civil than Utah/BYU. I don’t see a TCU rivalry gaining much traction over where it is now. When I lived in Alabama, the SEC rivalries were deep but always civil. When I was at graduate school at Texas A&M, the Texas rivalry was less civil, but I don’t think it equaled the recent BYU/Utah hubris. My son and I were at South Bend the last time BYU was there, and the ND fans were great to us.
Can’t wait for college football to begin — love the game…
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