There will be no second coming at UW
by Nuss on Jun 4, 2009 1:34 PM PDT
in The Pac-10
44 comments
A few years ago, I teased Husky fans about the celebrated signing of Jake Locker, jokingly calling him the messiah. (He may well yet prove to be that; if he can get the Huskies to a bowl game this year, there will be no doubt that he is, in fact, capable of raising things from the dead ... HEYO!)
Alas, I'll get to do no such teasing today, as all-everything Skyline (Issaquah) H.S. quarterback Jake Heaps confirmed he has chosen BYU over UW and will sign his letter of intent with the Cougars this fall. Heaps is Mormon, and according to some reports, was offered by BYU years ago. New UW coach Steve Sarkisian just couldn't make up enough ground in such a short amount of time.
I have mixed emotions about this. The Cougar in me is exceedingly happy he's not going to the UW, but the Pac-10 fan in me is disappointed a great talent is leaving the conference. Alas, since the Pac-10 will march on with other talented players, I think the Cougar in me wins out and takes pleasure in Husky fans' misery.
One last thing to keep in mind -- it could be some time before Heaps ever sees the field in Provo. It's likely he'll go on a two-year mission, which means unless he starts a true freshman in 2010, he likely won't play for the Cougars until 2013. That's a long time from now.
0 recs |
44 comments
|
Email
Print
Comments
I'm no mind reader
So I couldn’t tell you for sure. But Heaps has stated all along he will not be taking his mission. And now he also says he plans to graduate early to enroll at BYU next year in order to compete for the starting QB job.
by Bamer_ on Jun 4, 2009 1:45 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I actually looked around the Internet to see if there was anything definitive out there
I can’t find anywhere where he plainly said what his decision was regarding his mission.
by Nuss on Jun 4, 2009 2:34 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Actually, here are a couple that are counter to what you said
From today’s TNT:
Heaps, who is LDS, has said on previous occasions that he would leave on a church mission early on in his tenure, regardless of what school he chose.
Here, he said he “probably” would go on a mission. Of course, that was a year ago.
I think the message here is that nobody knows for sure.
by Nuss on Jun 4, 2009 2:55 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
On the radio in Salt Lake today
He said he wasn’t planning on going on a mission and was focused on football. Of course things change but he did make the comment today on two different Salt Lake radio broadcasts I listened to (I live there).
by mmevans15 on Jun 4, 2009 8:06 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Interesting article on scout about missions and BYU
The Myth of the BYU Mission Advantage
Of note, many of their famous qb’s, including Steve Young, did not participate in missions. Again, it is not mandatory that they go on missions.
by cougfan on Jun 4, 2009 8:45 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Off to dawgman.com
I love me some Husky meltdowns.
by Grady. on Jun 4, 2009 1:49 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I am still hoping for Jason Munns
I actually think Stalkisian did a good job getting into the picture with Heaps. According to some mutt fans, Heaps has been going to the BYU camp since he was 9 years old. Stalkisian had months to make up time for the years BYU has had to cultivate a relationship with Heaps. He’s LDS so BYU was probably always in the lead.
I am hoping Jason Munns comes off his mission healthy and decides to come home to WSU if Heaps does not go on his mission. Keep in mind that Munns said himself that he was not going to go on a mission but once he got to Provo he decided to go on a mission. The ACL injury could have played a role but so does being in the environment.
Heaps will probably become a very good college QB in time but he doesn’t have the upside of Jake Locker, IMHO. The mutt’s are in good shape with Locker for 2 more years and Keith Price coming in and redshirting. If they pull off Montana or Scroggins they will be in great shape even w/out Heaps.
By the way, SC just offered a UW committment. I think his name is Pinoae but he is a d-tackle that WSU was after as well. Here’s to hoping Carroll comes in and grabs the best prospects on the mutt’s committment list. ;)
by BornCoug on Jun 4, 2009 3:36 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I thought it was Potato, but I could be wrong :)
It’s some variation on that though.
by johnnycougar on Jun 4, 2009 4:13 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
You're alive!
Long time, no comment. Not a baseball fan I’m guessing? :-)
I never really liked the old tagline.
CougCenter
by Dancing Football on Jun 4, 2009 4:21 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Nah, I like baseball okay, just been a really busy month!
Got to go to Kauai (in Hawaii) and am preparing to move since I just finished my classes!
I didn’t realize anyone noticed I’d been gone, I’m flattered :-)
Also yes I do enjoy baseball but I didn’t follow our team enough to avoid feeling bandwagon-y when we started having success this year. Still fun to watch though!
by johnnycougar on Jun 5, 2009 10:53 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Are you saying there's something wrong with jumping on the bandwagon?
I think our blog tag says it all right now.
by Nuss on Jun 5, 2009 12:59 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
:)
Nah, I just didn’t want to pretend like I knew what I was talking about, so I just didn’t talk! Baseball really isn’t my sport.
by johnnycougar on Jun 8, 2009 10:53 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I need help with
commitment. Ouch. I love the edit button. ;)
by BornCoug on Jun 4, 2009 4:39 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yep, it is Sione Potoa'e
I don’t think Carroll is forgiving or forgetting.
by BornCoug on Jun 4, 2009 4:45 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I was hoping Heaps would commit to UW....
to see if he could live up to all the hype, which would have been practically impossible. From what I’ve heard and read, they might end up with better players in the long run with either Montana or Scroggins.
I hope Heaps has a long and fruitful career at BYU. It’s the perfect fit for him. I don’t think this news affects WSU one way or another. There are quite a few interesting kids out there that could easily fill our needs. Another point in all of this is now that Heaps has declared, the domino effect will start taking place. My guess is that Montana commits to UW this weekend. Ask yourself this. If he does decide on the dub, how in the heck is he ever going to live up to all the hype about to befall him?
This is all pretty interesting stuff to me. Can’t wait to read all the mutt comments about Heaps now that he’s made his decision.
by SW WA Coug on Jun 4, 2009 3:47 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Scroggins and Montana
Scroggins has offers from almost all the big names right now, including Florida who just jumped in. I don’t think Sark will be able to stack up with the big boys, especially following the 0-12 seasons.
Nick Montana also has offers from all the big boys, including Notre Dame. I doubt Montana is coming up to UW either, but who knows.
I really wouldn’t be surprised if neither of them show up at UW. What will be more fun is watching the total meltdown if/when they choose to go elsewhere. The venom spewed at Heaps for going to BYU is embarrassing to read. What’s worse, it’s about a 17 year old high school junior. Did he put some of this on himself by how he handled his recruiting process and announcement? Yes he did. But keep in mind that the recruiting game is still all young kids. Dawg fans should be ashamed of their fellow fans and the crap that’s coming out of their mouth after missing out on Heaps.
by cougfan on Jun 4, 2009 6:15 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
You are correct in your assessment of UW fans....
It’s more than a little embarrassing some of the stuff I finally got a chance to read.
I had heard or read somewhere that Montana was sure to commit to UW this weekend if Heaps chose the BYU path. I’m probably wrong about that and Scroggins even considering them now as well.
There was stuff said about his parents as well. I don’t think he should have made a big Hollywood production out of it but even so, he seemed like he had good intentions. I can only imagine some of the crap he’s going to hear now. He’s still got a senior season to navigate through.
by SW WA Coug on Jun 4, 2009 7:06 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I heard him on the radio today with Calabro
Basically, he said he did it to raise the profile of BYU — he wasn’t the only big-time commitment there, there were three guys altogether. And he was actually in Utah for a Junior Weekend visit he had been planning for a long time. He basically did it to be a recruiter, which if you are him, why wouldn’t you? Don’t you want to attract the most talented players possible to play with you?
By the way, the most interesting thing from that interview? He basically said he picked BYU over UW in large part because UW is in the middle of rebuilding, saying the uncertainty of it after an 0-12 season definitely weighed on him.
by Nuss on Jun 4, 2009 7:15 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Agreed on the recruiter part
All along it has appeared that Heaps wants to be a recruiter and bring talent with him. Today’s announcement was a sign of that. Bringing a former Texas commit and a WR with him is big for BYU. Whats next? How would it go over if he pulls the biggest coup of them all and brings Kasen Williams on board next year. Not sure how likely it is with the family ties to UW but I have a feeling the reaction to that would be 10x worse than what todays was.
There was two reasons that I took out of the interview that he chose BYU. The first was that BYU jumped on Heaps WAY early in the game. We’re talking freshman offer and correspondence that started well before that. He had years to build a strong relationship with that staff, that has remained unchanged, and that paid off for BYU. There was very little chance that Sark could swoop in this late in the game and undo that. The second, as you mentioned, is the fact that UW is in a major rebuilding. Coming into an 0-12 takes a certain kind of recruit and recruiting class as a whole. Instead of selling the program, you’re selling the whole “be a part of something bigger” and “return us to glory” line to the kids. It works for some, but for many it doesn’t.
by cougfan on Jun 4, 2009 8:31 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Got that backwards
The texas commit was a WR, the other was a top LB
by cougfan on Jun 4, 2009 9:00 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
RE: Scroggins
This made me spit out my coffee.
Courtesy of Deadspin
Kid has one thing on his mind (Hint: read where he’s considering).
by cougfan on Jun 4, 2009 9:08 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well, I was only four days off on the Nick Montana commitment....
It’s being reported by Bob Condotta in the Seattle Times that Nick Montana is going to become a Husky. I just had a feeling because these slots don’t stay open forever and with Heaps signing with BYU the dominoes started to fall. I just knew Sarkisian was going to recruit a high-profile QB. Now the pressure will be on for him to live up to all the hype. I imagine mutt fans that know about this feel like they’ve died and gone to heaven. Just saying….
by SW WA Coug on Jun 9, 2009 9:06 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Montana & Scroggins
I doubt they will get either especially if they make a decision before the season begins. It’s a big risk to go to a program that went 0-12 the previous season and neither have a real connection to the UW. I guess Montana may since Stalkisian may no Joe and/or when he was at SC. If the UW starts to lose a committment or two it’s a bad signal as well.
I think Scroggins is better as well and maybe Montana. They will get a good qb but if they pull of one of these top qbs then hats off to Stalkisian.
by BornCoug on Jun 4, 2009 5:05 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I'm struggling today
I meant this post as a reply to SW WA Coug’s…
by BornCoug on Jun 4, 2009 5:06 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
It's still very early in the process....
There are a lot of kids still wanting to make a name for themselves. The hype machine is going full force in Seattle and so far, Sarkisian has done a fine job. I think I need to backtrack on the Montana prediction. If I was in his shoes, I might want to see how Sarkisian actually does as a head man before I commit to an 0-12 program. He’d be walking into a lot of unknowns.
I feel the same way about the Cougs too. Coach Wulff is still trying to get our program off the mat. Some of these kids want to make sure he can back up what he’s telling them with some results they can see.
The bad news for Sarkisian is losing such a high-profile athlete in his backyard, with all the venom being spewed, could have just the opposite impact he wants for some of the other kids he’s trying to recruit. It sounds like one of the Lakes HS kids is having second thoughts now after an offer from USC came his way. Hype can only take you so far. Just saying….
by SW WA Coug on Jun 4, 2009 7:15 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Pete Carrol is a spiteful man
OK I’ve got nothing to back that up, just a catchy title. It is kind of suspicious that one of the biggest in state names verbals to UW and then Pete swoops in and pounces on the kid. UW or USC doesn’t seem like a tough choice especially after watching the two defenses last year.
Wouldn’t be surprised if the kid jumps ship to USC soon. He’s a good player and the bonus for Carrol is stealing him from an ex assistant, in my opinion
by cougfan on Jun 4, 2009 8:37 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Mark down Sept. 19 on your calendar....
USC visits Montlake. That’s when Pete gets to really make a statement to Coach Sarkisian. I think this is the homecoming that might have been too good for Taylor Mays to pass up. I’m expecting an excess of extracurricular activity. Just saying….
by SW WA Coug on Jun 4, 2009 9:25 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Not as much that as USC putting their foot on the throat and not releasing
Pete usually doesn’t play nice, but expect him to pile it on. 100 points anyone?
by cougfan on Jun 4, 2009 9:27 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Was Sark's departure bitter or something?
by cfred on Jun 4, 2009 10:07 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
One thing I'm pretty certain of....
When Sarkisian and Holt departed, they attempted to recruit some of the USC commits that they had close ties to, apparently without much conscience. I guess it’s an unwritten rule that you shouldn’t do that sort of thing.
Now Pete is returning the favor by recruiting a Husky commit from Lake HS, who has opened up his recruiting options. This game just gives Coach Carroll an opportunity to get his message through loud and clear to Sarkisian and Holt in front of 72,000 mutt fans.
by SW WA Coug on Jun 4, 2009 10:20 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
If it's all true about the unconscionable behavior
It isn’t very smart! Hmmm, your first year as a head coach, who in this league do you NOT want to piss off?
Look for 42-7 by halftime and then maaaaaybe Carroll will hit the brakes.
by johnnycougar on Jun 5, 2009 10:59 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don't think he even pumps the brakes to be honest
This is Mr. wont punt on 4th down up 30 we’re talking about. It’s not just the recruits that pisses Pete off. He does not like losing his coaches. It makes it worse when they go to a school in the same division. I wouldn’t be surprised to see them blank UW and put up a ridiculous amount of points.
by cougfan on Jun 5, 2009 4:13 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
The press will be jumping all over this....
But Pete won’t have to say a word. His silence will be deafening.
by SW WA Coug on Jun 5, 2009 8:20 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I wouldn't necessarily say bitter
Pete doesn’t like losing his coaches, especially his good ones. Sark was a good, if not great, OC at USC. As SW said, he also doesn’t like it when said coaches try to snag recruits out from under him.
Remember when Sanchez left for the draft how unhappy Pete was? Now imagine if Sanchez had decided to transfer to a Pac-10 school, hypothetically. That’s akin to what Sark and Holt did.
by cougfan on Jun 5, 2009 12:17 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Underneath that "Aw shucks" persona
Burns an intensely competitive and prideful man. It’s part of what’s made him a great college coach, but don’t let it fool you — the man is no patsy, and will look forward to killing Washington this fall.
by Nuss on Jun 5, 2009 7:44 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
He's a great coach and you nailed it on the head as to why
He’s a player coach who guys love, he gets players to the pro, and he has the killer instinct. He’s made USC a perennial powerhouse and pro factory that flat dominates. I’ll bet he’s got the UW game circled and has a little more motivation for it.
by cougfan on Jun 5, 2009 4:15 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
It's the same reason why I think he'll be back in the NFL someday
by Nuss on Jun 5, 2009 4:56 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
The question is will he succeed?
I wonder if his years at USC would make him a better NFL coach then his first go around. He didn’t do too bad his first go around. The difference is that NFL players are a whole heck of alot different then college kids.
I think he could have a go at it and be successful. Thus far, it seems, he hasn’t had any inclination to leave. At some point, you’d think, he would want to move to take on another challenge. He does have the sweetest gig in college right now, though, and it may be tough to leave. Coaching at a powerhouse, being a rockstar coach, and living in Southern California. It all seems to gel well with his laid back off field personality.
by cougfan on Jun 5, 2009 5:49 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'll bet if the right job comes along, he'll go
I think it sticks in his craw that he wasn’t able to be super successful at that level. But you’re right — I think some guys are just suited to coach college kids, and others are suited to coach pros. I think I’m a pretty decent high school teacher, but I don’t think I’d be able to say the same if I was a 3rd grade teacher …
by Nuss on Jun 5, 2009 7:16 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Pete Carroll reminds me of Rob Akey on valium....
I don’t think Pete’s enthusiastic style is a fit for the NFL. Most coaches, except the occasional Mike Holmgren meltdown, are pretty stoic. Plus, he gets the cream of the crop talent-wise at USC. Can’t picture him trying to build a franchise like the (fill in the blank) from scratch.
He’s perfect for the college game and when you have the AD reporting to you, that’s pretty sweet.
by SW WA Coug on Jun 5, 2009 8:28 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
He makes Mike Garrett look good....
And that’s hard to do. Just saying….
by SW WA Coug on Jun 5, 2009 8:23 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Rain or shine....
There’s not a whole lot the mutts are going to be able to do to stop the onslaught.
You are so right about Pete, especially when he’s motivated.
by SW WA Coug on Jun 4, 2009 10:12 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Community Guidelines
Related FanPosts on CougCenter
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Certain photos copyright © 2010 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
