Open Spring Practice Thoughts

For the record I like both Nelson and Heaps. I think we are in good hands either way. The fact that we're already talking about Heaps possibly being the best QB RIGHT now is amazing. It's the kid's first spring! Riley had been here a lot longer and has Div. I experience. Heaps is going to be even better this fall. I'm not sure how much better Riley will be. I think he's a good QB but Heaps is going to be a great QB. Everyone talks about Riley's grit and leadership and according to all the scouts out there and those that worked with Jake in all the camps he went to is that one of his strengths is leadership and maturity. Either way we're going to have a great leader. All the veterans on the team seem to genuinely like Jake too. That's a very very good sign. It's an exciting time for cougar football with all the young talent we have. The future is very bright!

kitic77 wrote:
For the record, I'm almost always in favor of redshirting QBs. I thought John Beck would have been well served to have red-shirted in 2003. Matt Berry was more than a decent enough QB to man the position in 2003 - granted he got hurt and Crowton's hand may have been forced a bit. But For BYU's program, an RS would have done Beck well. Detmer was well served by an RS. Bosco RS'd. Young RS'd. McMahon RS'd.



I didn't see anything from Heaps to make me think he couldn't use an RS to improve his already high level of QBing. If I were a BYU coach, I would need to see compelling reasons to either why I should play Heaps now and/or why I shouldn't play Nelson.

I'd redshirt Heaps. It would be good for Heaps development & good for the team. We shall see as this all unfolds.

8)

Ddawg wrote:

For the record, I'm almost always in favor of redshirting QBs. I thought John Beck would have been well served to have red-shirted in 2003. Matt Berry was more than a decent enough QB to man the position in 2003 - granted he got hurt and Crowton's hand may have been forced a bit. But For BYU's program, an RS would have done Beck well. Detmer was well served by an RS. Bosco RS'd. Young RS'd. McMahon RS'd.



I didn't see anything from Heaps to make me think he couldn't use an RS to improve his already high level of QBing. If I were a BYU coach, I would need to see compelling reasons to either why I should play Heaps now and/or why I shouldn't play Nelson.

I'd redshirt Heaps. It would be good for Heaps development & good for the team. We shall see as this all unfolds.

8)

That's the way I'm leaning too. The stats from spring ball, while they do show a slight edge for Heaps, I don't think show enough to not allow Heaps the full amount of developmental time he could have. Who knows. Maybe Heaps starts all four years and tears it up all four years. Maybe he doesn't. Maybe he redshirts and stinks up the joint. I just think the safe money is to play Nelson, let Heaps develop and then see what is.

I don't think anything has been decided yet and it's going to take until at least two weeks into fall camp before the picture starts to become a little clearer. It's anybody's job at this point and I trust the coaches will start the guy who gives us the best chance to win. May the best man win.