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Lark is home.

by TodosHomers · 12/14/2009

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frdbtr
Lark was a 3 star QB out of Utah and was the highest rated QB coming out of utah that year. Munns was a 4 star QB out of washington (I couild be wrong about his star rating) but was rated the top qb in the NW. Both very highly rated and I remember all the BYU fans on cougarblue felt like it was huge that we got them.
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EM_Puma
frdbtr wrote:
Lark was a 3 star QB out of Utah and was the highest rated QB coming out of utah that year. Munns was a 4 star QB out of washington (I couild be wrong about his star rating) but was rated the top qb in the NW. Both very highly rated and I remember all the BYU fans on cougarblue felt like it was huge that we got them.


Munns was a big get partially because one of the other teams high on his list, as he had ties to their program, was the U of U. This was just another of those recruiting battles we had won and were very appreciative.



I think it goes without saying, based on history, that there will either be someone who changes position or transfers from this group of four. While it would be nice that they don't, BYU recruits very competitive individuals and each one of these guys believes they can lead the team in the position of QB, because that has been their goal, their dream. When it doesn't happen like that (i.e. Bowers, Doman (Sam), etc.) sometimes the dream is just taken elsewhere. The Fowlers and Gaskins types, that are pleased with being the BYU backup, are not a common commodity, but are greatly appreciated, but to expect that a QB recruited by BYU for the QB position will easily accept a backup position without the prospect of being the starter is more rare than common.
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jonnylingo
Go Lark. Here is to a very interesting spring ball. Can't wait to see who comes out on top. We have three awesome possibilities.



It is a good time to be a byu fan. I like having Lark in the discussion. I couldn't understand why he never was given the fact that he has a year under his belt and will be back for spring ball.



I would guess from listening to bronco that nelson is his guy and will start number one on the depth chart. Its probably his to lose.
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SpiffCoug
I could see either Munns or Lark switch positions. Both are excellent athletes. Wasn't Lark all-state in basketball. And given Munns' size and the losses at TE this year, and the fact that he gets home the latest, I could see him switching to TE and see the field much sooner than he would at QB.
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Short_Change
kitic77 wrote:
I could see either Munns or Lark switch positions. Both are excellent athletes. Wasn't Lark all-state in basketball. And given Munns' size and the losses at TE this year, and the fact that he gets home the latest, I could see him switching to TE and see the field much sooner than he would at QB.


I know Munns is tall but isn't he a stick? Kinda like Bradford?
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TodosHomers
I think at this point it is Nelsons job to lose, because he is there right now and is the second string QB. But, I stil believe it is a wide open race because any of the other three can step up and take the position. Competition is always healthy, no matter what your talking about. I doubt that any of them that are so skilled at QB will want to change positions, when they can eaisly transfer to another school and be the starter. I do know that Lark started safety as a sophomore in high school and he did break his leg playing safety on defense.
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snoscythe
Short_Change wrote:
I could see either Munns or Lark switch positions. Both are excellent athletes. Wasn't Lark all-state in basketball. And given Munns' size and the losses at TE this year, and the fact that he gets home the latest, I could see him switching to TE and see the field much sooner than he would at QB.


I know Munns is tall but isn't he a stick? Kinda like Bradford?


Bradford? A stick? :skeptic: I thought 6'4" and 225 was prototypical pocket passer size? That's as big or bigger than Carson Palmer, Tony Romo, Drew Brees, both Mannings, and Kurt Warner to name a few.



Before his mission, Munns was 6'4" and 235--that's Dennis Pitta sized, and only one inch and ten pounds shy of Andrew George. Maybe you played with bigger sticks than me when you were a wee lad?
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Short_Change
snoscythe wrote:
kitic77 wrote:
I could see either Munns or Lark switch positions. Both are excellent athletes. Wasn't Lark all-state in basketball. And given Munns' size and the losses at TE this year, and the fact that he gets home the latest, I could see him switching to TE and see the field much sooner than he would at QB.


I know Munns is tall but isn't he a stick? Kinda like Bradford?


Bradford? A stick? :skeptic: I thought 6'4" and 225 was prototypical pocket passer size? That's as big or bigger than Carson Palmer, Tony Romo, Drew Brees, both Mannings, and Kurt Warner to name a few.



Before his mission, Munns was 6'4" and 235--that's Dennis Pitta sized, and only one inch and ten pounds shy of Andrew George. Maybe you played with bigger sticks than me when you were a wee lad?


The only time I've seen Munns was on his HS highlights and I thought I remembered him looking pretty skinny, but I could have been wrong, that's why I asked. I don't care what Bradford's measurables say, he looks skinny and frail to me.
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gmj81
frdbtr wrote:
Lark was a 3 star QB out of Utah and was the highest rated QB coming out of utah that year. Munns was a 4 star QB out of washington (I couild be wrong about his star rating) but was rated the top qb in the NW. Both very highly rated and I remember all the BYU fans on cougarblue felt like it was huge that we got them.


Actually Lark was a 4 star and the #16 QB recruit in 2006. Munns was also a 4 star but the #27 QB recruit in 2007. Obviously you can't really say that Lark is better just from his rankings since they were in two different classes but they are obviously both very talented and should be considered great options for QB in the future.



As I remember it during the time of their recruitment, Munns may have been the bigger get for those close or within the program. But he suffered his senior year after his team graduated most of their stars following his junior season. Lark had a great high school career which could only have been considered to be overshadowed by one Riley Nelson. But it seems to me you can't really blame Lark for his defense not getting the job done. Riley was surrounded by much better talent than James was. And even though they were in the same class together, it can still be hard to accurately gauge who is the better QB. They certainly ran two very different systems. I'm just glad we have all these guys and I'd love for each of them to get their shot and make it to the NFL but that's obviously not very realistic. I wouldn't begrudge any of them for transferring given the unsteady state the QB position has been in the last four to five years. If they wanted to stay and change positions, I'd be all for that too though I think just about all of them were made to play the QB position. They could all probably start at all but the very best BCS schools.
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jonnylingo
TodosHomers wrote:
I think at this point it is Nelsons job to lose, because he is there right now and is the second string QB. But, I stil believe it is a wide open race because any of the other three can step up and take the position. Competition is always healthy, no matter what your talking about. I doubt that any of them that are so skilled at QB will want to change positions, when they can eaisly transfer to another school and be the starter. I do know that Lark started safety as a sophomore in high school and he did break his leg playing safety on defense.


Well there you go. We are in need of a safety :)
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CougarClaw
TodosHomers wrote:
The dark horse to be the starting quaterback at BYU next season is home from his mission.


First time posters are suspect because they have no past history to back up claims. Unless the phrase Lark "is home from his mission", means that Lark will still be in Russia on his mission until today, you have been refuted by the Utah news staff.



http://www.deseretnews.com/blog/60/10007803/Harmons-Halftime-James-Lark-flies-in-from-mission-for-BYUs-Las-Vegas-Bowl.html



Harmon is reporting Lark is flying straight from his mission from Mother Russia to the bowl game in Las Vegas, implying he has NOT been home for over several weeks as suggested. Unless "home" is in Mother Russia, your credibility just took a nose dive, my friend.
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gmj81
Welcome home and good luck James! I'm excited for what the future brings and know that whoever ends up winning the battle between these talented guys is going to take us to new heights. But I'm sure the backup(s) will still get their opportunities as well should they stick in the program.
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craigoscarson
TodosHomers wrote:
I think at this point it is Nelsons job to lose, because he is there right now and is the second string QB. But, I stil believe it is a wide open race because any of the other three can step up and take the position. Competition is always healthy, no matter what your talking about. I doubt that any of them that are so skilled at QB will want to change positions, when they can eaisly transfer to another school and be the starter. I do know that Lark started safety as a sophomore in high school and he did break his leg playing safety on defense.


I agree that it is Nelsons job to lose; but I dont' agree at all with "they can easily transfer to another school and be the starter."



Starter... notsomuch.... player... maybe...

Sam Doman never played a down at Oregon

Jacob Bowers has not had an easy time getting playing time at Tulsa

(even Riley Nelson is in for a dogfight for playing time)

Transferring is not the answer; and very rarely is.



Transferring is almost more of a crapshoot than staying and being patient in a system that you were recruited to. Ask Steve Young about sticking it out and earning your PT.



BTW - When it comes to recruiting elite qbs like Jake Heaps.. I'd rather have a guy with an above average arm and elite decision making skills than a Matthew Stafford/Jamarcus Russell that woudl be coveted by the NFL early. Find me a 3-4 year starter (after a redshirt) and I'd be in heaven.



Heaps has a chance to redshirt and play 3-4 Heisman quality seasons; like Ty Detmer. His accuracy and decision making are off the charts good; his leadership is unquestionable (James Lark did not help bring in a top 10 recruiting class; Jake Heaps did)

Guys with cannon arms, like Jacob Bowers, dont' neccessarily reflect a good college qb.



Ironic, because less than 2 years ago we had an obvious Bowers relative come on the old forum and tell us how bad we'd miss him (much more obnoxious than this thread). In the meantime Max Hall has gone on to be the winningest qb in BYU history and that we'd have 4 3-5 star Qbs competing for the job next year.



I'll let the coaches ultimately chose their guy; and if I were Lark, Heaps, Nelson, Munns, I'd bring my best to the practice field, the weight room, the training room and classroom.

I'd throw to every willing receiver every free minute of the day, and I'd be watching so much tape that people would think I was a vampire. The guy with the world class work ethic wins the job. (another reason I think Nelson takes it)



I see no reason why Heaps won't be redshirted; there's too much talent to sit in the meantime.



Don't forget that Brandon Doman had the same arm strength of Riley Nelson. Took us to a top 5 season ever in 2001 (barring injury at the end would have been epic) and spent some time in the NFL. There's a lot more to the qb position than arm strength.



That being said, I served in Eastern Europe and have some fondness for Lark and his ability to speak Russian (Bulgaria is basically western Russia with less money; same alphabet, same cement blocks). If I remember correctly, his pre-mish and high school girlfriend died in the last year or so, and I know exactly how hard it is to get back in shape after a mission to a former communist block country. I wish him the best. He's going to have more transition issues than simply playing quarterback.
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bigbluepuma
frdbtr wrote:
Lark was a 3 star QB out of Utah and was the highest rated QB coming out of utah that year. Munns was a 4 star QB out of washington (I couild be wrong about his star rating) but was rated the top qb in the NW. Both very highly rated and I remember all the BYU fans on cougarblue felt like it was huge that we got them.




You got it. Lark had an outstanding HS career, and I think, was always interested in BYU.



Munns showed great early promise, but missed alot of time (maybe his whole junior year) with an injury, so was off most radars coming into his senior year. BYU went after him early, and was well entrenched when he came in with a great senior year. Both were great gets for BYU, and I think either will do a great job if given the nod.



Another factor that we have not had to deal with for a while,(with a very healthy Max) is the strong possibility that one or more QBs can go down in any season, leaving us with a need of a good stable of back-ups to carry the season. If all these guys stay, there is a good chance that they will all get a chance to prove themselves.



I am stoked about the prospects for the future at BYU.
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bigbluepuma
kitic77 wrote:
I could see either Munns or Lark switch positions. Both are excellent athletes. Wasn't Lark all-state in basketball. And given Munns' size and the losses at TE this year, and the fact that he gets home the latest, I could see him switching to TE and see the field much sooner than he would at QB.


If another one of these guys steps up, the best one to switch positions is nelson. He is an outstanding athlete who could play several positions. As a RB or a receiver, he could be used in several ways as a second QB on the field at any given time. I thought, when he was in HS, that we should recruit him for that purpose. He would be awsome in that capacity.
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Lawboy
Bronco made some interesting comments about Lark in his latest interview. He said Lark has returned from his mission to Russia and that the former Pine View High star has undergone a big change in terms of his personality, demeanor and confidence.



http://blogs.sltrib.com/byu/index.php?p=8752&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1



Perhaps Lark is now humble, and does not act entitled?



Bronco also states that Heaps was guaranteed nothing, and that the QB race is open for 4 guys to win, including Munns, who returns in April.
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jonnylingo
Lawboy wrote:

Bronco also states that Heaps was guaranteed nothing, and that the QB race is open for 4 guys to win, including Munns, who returns in April.


My favorite part of the article.



On other note, I have to say however that I am starting to be persuaded that heaps may actually win the starting role. I was reading reports about the army bowl prep team going on this weak and how he is handling things and how quick of a learner he is. He seems to be a phenomenal leader and someone who picks up on things quickly. I am becoming more and more convinced that this guy is going to be very special. He makes everybody around him better.
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cougarsunited
jonnylingo wrote:

Bronco also states that Heaps was guaranteed nothing, and that the QB race is open for 4 guys to win, including Munns, who returns in April.


My favorite part of the article.



On other note, I have to say however that I am starting to be persuaded that heaps may actually win the starting role. I was reading reports about the army bowl prep team going on this weak and how he is handling things and how quick of a learner he is. He seems to be a phenomenal leader and someone who picks up on things quickly. I am becoming more and more convinced that this guy is going to be very special. He makes everybody around him better.


I am going to the All America game this Saturday, I am very anxious to see the kid play, it'll be interesting to see what'll happen in the QB race...
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