Here is a story from BYU great Vai Sikahema.
In the last week, Salt Lake Tribune colmnist Gordon Monson had this to say about the same topic. When Monson said it, I had to laugh. Jake Heaps transferring to Utah? No way, no how. But when a BYU legend says it? That makes you think........
Obviously, these aren't "sources" saying that they are hearing that this is going to happen. In fact, no one has said it at all. These are just two guys making an observation.
Take a look at Jake Heaps. Number one recruit in the country at QB. Some BYU fans had him penciled in for at least one Heisman and probably a top 10 pick after his junior year. His freshman season got off to a rocky start with the debacle that BYU used called the "two quarterback system". Luckily, he got his shot and showed that he could lay a beat down on some of the worst teams in college football last year. In the preseason this year, many were saying he would have a breakout year in 2011.
This year, he struggled, to put it nicely. He was benched for ineffectiveness against Utah State, and unfortunately for him, his backup came out on fire and led the Cougars to a dramatic come-from-behind win. Since then, he has sat the bench as his backup has throttled inferior competition. All the fans who seemingly worshiped him have now turned their back and are now singing the praises of Riley Nelson.
Tonight's game against TCU is HUGE for Jake's future. TCU has dominated BYU three years in a row. (As a side note: TCU has dominated everyone not named Boise State in the last few years). If Riley Nelson is able to win, or at the very least be semi-productive in moving the ball; Jake's season is over. He will be relegated to mop up duty in meaningless games after the Bye week.
If Riley flops tonight, Heaps may get a chance in the second half to try and lead a comeback. If he is at all successful, he can earn the job back and finish out the year, then go into next year as the favorite.
But if Riley is successful, he will have, barring injury, the inside track to start next year (his senior year). That would leave Jake with a few options; play back up as a junior, then have the job for one year as a senior. Or he can redshirt next year, then have two years once Riley is gone. Or he can transfer, redshirt a year while he learns the new system, and have two years at a new place.
You can all but forget the middle option. This isn't a video game. Egos are too big to redshirt for a non-injury reason in the middle of a career. Not happening.
That brings in Utah. Utah has a disaster situation at QB this year, and probably next. Jordan Wynn, while a solid QB is unreliable due to injuries. And there is nothing else in the cupboard. Heaps could sit it out for a year, learn from Norm Chow, arguably the greatest offensive coordinator and quarterback coach in college football, and have two years as the man. Plus, he is playing in the Pac-12, and not against scrubs from the WAC.
There is a lot more to it, and again, we have no idea how Jake is feeling. Still, it's an interesting thing to think about........
How do you think this will turn out?
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