Just Sayin' : Jake Heaps seeking transfer from BYU

[EWURanger]

If you've been following EWU football for a while, it's hard to remember when the last time we didn't have an elite QB in the program. When Erik Meyer graduated, people said we wouldn't be any good anymore because he was gone.....then came Matt Nichols, a 4 year starter who would go on to break a lot of his predecessors records. When he left, people said the same thing they had when Meyer left, and then along came Bo Levi, who rallied his team late in the game to win the school's first National Championship, and who will most likely break both of the previous 2 QB's single-season records next weekend at Idaho State. It's not a given, but very possible.

So, here we are again. Going into the 2012 season, the coaching staff will go about having to replace another elite QB. Coach Baldwin has mentioned that he will be looking to bring in two QB's into the program in the off-season. It's probably fairly safe to say that one of those will be a Freshman who will most likely RS. What about the other one? Will they bring in 2 Freshman QB's? Will they be looking for a JC type, or a FBS transfer? I guess a lot of this depends on how confident the coaching staff is in the two young QB's currently in the program. I really like the idea of a kid spending 4+ years in the program - guys like Leons, Meyer, and Nichols did, but it's also hard to argue with the results of guys like Josh Blankenship and Bo Levi. We've had excellent results with both. And this fact points to coaching........Baldwin is a QB guy who coached a Payton Award winner when he was the OC/QB's coach, and as the HC another guy who was statistically the best QB in Big Sky history, and another who had he played 4 years at EWU would have broken every record in the books.

What are everyone's thoughts about the situation for next year? The two kids in the program now are very different QB's, IMO. At the moment, I would have to think Vitto is the favorite going into Spring Ball with an opportunity to start for 2 years. However, from what I have seen, Adams is very athletic and can make plays. Maybe he is the QB of the future. And then there's the likelihood of a third QB, whether it be a Freshman or transfer, to come in and compete for that starting job. One thing's for certain, the best player will start. Should be interesting.

 

[Screamin_Eagle174]

Last week when I was at the Coaches Show, Baldwin hinted that the offense would be molded a little bit to fit the QBs strengths i.e. a running QB, but didn't say anything about Adams in particular, which leads me to believe that Adams might be the forerunner. I hope he pans out to be a good one, because dual-threat QBs are hard to defend.

 

[Rontheoldwiseeagle]

The staff is still looking, and if they can find another great QB they will make their best efforts to get him to EWU. From what I know, the Adams kid needs lots of work throwing the ball to be anywhere ready as a good, not elite BSC QB. We will need a dual-threat line first. It has been a lot of years since we have had a great run blocking line. Maybe the Chapman years. It is very sad to be discussing this the first part of Nov.

 

[LDopaPDX]

The staff is still looking, and if they can find another great QB they will make their best efforts to get him to EWU. From what I know, the Adams kid needs lots of work throwing the ball to be anywhere ready as a good, not elite BSC QB. We will need a dual-threat line first. It has been a lot of years since we have had a great run blocking line. Maybe the Chapman years. It is very sad to be discussing this the first part of Nov.

From what I've heard-- from more than one coach-- is that they expect Vernon Adams to be the guy. My understanding is that they were very impressed with him in Summer ball. I don't know if that means they think he is ready as of next year, but I'd have to assume that means he is going to be favored if no one else comes into the program. Like any other time, I'm sure if a bigtime drop down or recruit is available, they'll try to make a move.

 

[LDopaPDX]

The staff is still looking, and if they can find another great QB they will make their best efforts to get him to EWU. From what I know, the Adams kid needs lots of work throwing the ball to be anywhere ready as a good, not elite BSC QB. We will need a dual-threat line first. It has been a lot of years since we have had a great run blocking line. Maybe the Chapman years. It is very sad to be discussing this the first part of Nov.

From what I've heard-- from more than one coach-- is that they expect Vernon Adams to be the guy. My understanding is that they were very impressed with him in Summer ball. I don't know if that means they think he is ready as of next year, but I'd have to assume that means he is going to be favored if no one else comes into the program. Like any other time, I'm sure if a bigtime drop down or recruit is available, they'll try to make a move.

Also, I don't think they are trying to make Adams a true "duel-threat," but more of a zone read guy like McGhee for Montana State.

 

[eaglesfootball]

i think we will be just fine next year. From what i have seen in practice i would feel pretty good about either QB taking the reigns. Admittedly i havent seen much of Adams but Vitto has progressed since last year. We need at least one QB in the off-season if for no other reason than depth.

 

[clawman1]

Seems we generally have more QB's than we can play and the ones who are good athletes and smart kids play another position I.E. Minnerly, Scott Burgett.
If you recall Meyers had a rough start in his younger years as did Nichols but by playing through tough times they became outstanding players. Unless a drop down is hands down an outstanding player I would like to see the 3 or 4 year QB work through the system.

 

[footballdirt]

lol.. Vitto was recruited as a dual threat.

 

[clawman1]

Baldwin mentioned numerous times that they were encouraging BLM to run more when the opportunity was there. That leads me to believe they would like an Adams style of player rather than a pure drop back passer. But the most important improvement would have to be in the running game.

TEAM STATISTICS EWU OPP
RUSHING YARDAGE 869 2345
Yards gained rushing 1144 2666
Yards lost rushing 275 321
Rushing Attempts 292 491
Average Per Rush 3.0 4.8
Average Per Game 79.0 213.2
TDs Rushing 9 21

 

[EWURanger]

I don't really think anyone has the inside scoop on who the number 1 is going to be. That won't be sorted out until the end of Spring Ball, and then maybe not even then. Adams has looked good, but I haven't seen him throw a lot, but when I have it looked like he needed a little work with his mechanics. He sure can make some plays, though.

Vitto has looked pretty good, from the limited amount I've seen him the past two years. Well, he didn't look great in the UNC game, but it's hard for a QB to come in like that at the end of the game and get some rythm going.

I'm really interested to see what Freshman come in next fall.

 

[clawman1]

I don't really think anyone has the inside scoop on who the number 1 is going to be. That won't be sorted out until the end of Spring Ball, and then maybe not even then. Adams has looked good, but I haven't seen him throw a lot, but when I have it looked like he needed a little work with his mechanics. He sure can make some plays, though.

Vitto has looked pretty good, from the limited amount I've seen him the past two years. Well, he didn't look great in the UNC game, but it's hard for a QB to come in like that at the end of the game and get some rythm going.

I'm really interested to see what Freshman come in next fall.

Absolutely agree that no one knows because I doubt that the coaches know. When people say Adams needs to work on his mechanics it makes me think of Tebow, they say he needs to work on his mechanics and it seems to be working out for him .

 

[EdubAlum]

Make the phone call Beau!

http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/7319444/byu-cougars-quarterback-jake-heaps-transferring" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

 

[vetteman]

If Bo Levi brings home the Walter Payton award, it would be a feather in our cap if we approached this young man. Show him the kind of numbers we expect our QB's to put up, and the opportunity to play right away without sitting out a year. Couldn't hurt to reach out to him, or does he have to reach out to us, so it doesn't appear to be recruiting?

 

[kalm]

He's also from Skyline in Issaquah. Good find Vetteman.

After leading Skyline to three state championships and amassing a 40-2 record as a high-school quarterback, Heaps graduated early so he could play spring football. In his first college football game as a freshman, Heaps split time with Riley Nelson and BYU beat Washington, 23-17.

"It's been very surreal," Heaps said in an interview after last season. "It's been exciting. There have been a lot of up-and-down moments throughout the season."

Heaps took over as the starter after Nelson suffered a shoulder injury. The Cougars won four of their last five regular season games and then the New Mexico Bowl. Heaps set BYU freshman records for passing yards (2,316), passing attempts (383), passing completions (219), passing touchdowns (15), wins (six), games started (10) and played (13).

 

[clawman1]

So he quit the team.
In the past I have heard Beau say he would only take a drop down if it was a guy they had a previous relationship with, such as recruited, been to camps or ??
I don't know how good he is or is not but I really don't like the fact that he quit his team.

 

[Screamin_Eagle174]

So he quit the team.
In the past I have heard Beau say he would only take a drop down if it was a guy they had a previous relationship with, such as recruited, been to camps or ??
I don't know how good he is or is not but I really don't like the fact that he quit his team.

How is it different from BLM? He lost the starting job, and wants a fresh start.

 

[marceagfan5]

Heaps has a lot of potential and would be a good fit for Eastern. He had a difficult year this year, but has a lot of talent and was very highly thought of going in to the year. I heard Beau say that he would be interested in a drop down qb as well if it was the right fit so we will see. The fact that Heaps is from Washington helps, but it all depends on if he wants to play right away or if he would like to try another FBS school. If he wants to play right away I think we would have a shot.

 

[EWURanger]

Interesting.

 

[clawman1]

So he quit the team.
In the past I have heard Beau say he would only take a drop down if it was a guy they had a previous relationship with, such as recruited, been to camps or ??
I don't know how good he is or is not but I really don't like the fact that he quit his team.

How is it different from BLM? He lost the starting job, and wants a fresh start.

Did BLM quit before the end of the season? According the the article Heaps is not practicing nor will he be available for a bowl game. Another player is now listed as the backup.
Changing jobs is one thing but walking off in the middle of a shift is quite another.

 

[Obzerver]

rumor is he's looking at Cal..