Jake Heaps Transferring From BYU; WSU Could Make Sense
by Brian Floyd on Dec 5, 2011 2:53 PM PST
in 2011 WSU Football News
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PrintJake Heaps is transferring from BYU, finally confirming one of the worst kept secrets on the West Coast this year. After starting 15 games for the Cougars -- spanning the end of his freshman season and beginning of this season -- Heaps had fallen out of favor, with head coach Bronco Mendenhall changing his course and opting to go with Riley Nelson. Following the move, rumors of Heaps' intention to transfer heated up, and Monday provided a resolution.
Other than the Washington connection and the fact that Heaps came out of high school as one of the top players in the nation, I'd assume most Washington State fans don't care. But wait! Hit me with the good stuff, Mason Kelley.
Potential destinations for Heaps include Washington, Washington State, Cal and USC.
Heaps also spoke about his decision to transfer in a general sense right here.
We could make all sorts of connections and take guesses as to whether this will happen, but won't. While Washington would seem like a viable choice, remember the Huskies are bringing in two top-flight quarterbacks this year, and already have Keith Price on the roster. Which leaves Pullman and new head coach Mike Leach if Heaps is looking for a somewhat close-to-home destination.
Before anyone dismisses this off-hand by pointing to Washington State's wealth of quarterbacks, consider what happened this year. The Cougars burnt through three quarterbacks and needed all the depth they could muster. By the time Heaps is eligible, Jeff Tuel will likely be gone -- barring a very long-shot medical hardship -- and outside of Connor Halliday the roster will include two young quarterbacks who will likely been as green as they come in Cody Clements and Austin Apodaca.
So while the younger quarterbacks may develop -- Apodaca looks promising and like he's a great fit for Leach's system -- we don't just know. If Heaps thinks he could compete with Halliday for the starting job, and is confident enough to transfer to WSU, then I'd love to see it. Adding more talent at the quarterback spot is never, ever a bad thing.
But again, Heaps is at the early stages of making a decision and Leach hasn't even arrived in Pullman yet. So take everything with a grain of salt for now.
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If he wants to come, bring it on
I just don’t know why he would. There are so many places he could go where he’d instantly be the man as soon as he was eligible.
no doubt.
Stanford, UCLA, ASU, Colorado, Utah (can you imagine him making THAT F* YOU move?), and Boise State, just off the top of my head.
#CougHarmonyOnTwitter #teamnopants
Nobody that I'm aware of wants him as a Ute
He’s terrible and has no heart.
by khaostheory117 on Dec 5, 2011 4:02 PM PST up reply actions
I'd honestly rather have Hays
and you all should be aware of how much we are stressed by him.
by khaostheory117 on Dec 5, 2011 4:03 PM PST up reply actions
I figure if anyone can turn Heaps' physical skills
into a PAC12 qb, it’s Chow.
#CougHarmonyOnTwitter #teamnopants
From afar, it certainly seems like he was mismanaged to the point that his confidence was destroyed.
I could see that but I hardly believe it.
I have heard about a lot of arrogance and entitlement on his part. He didn’t deal with much adversity until he hit college and now that he has it seems like he’s just given up. Watch the Ole Miss game. When he threw the pick 6 he just stood there like a deer in the headlights, didn’t try to stop the guy or anything. Or better yet watch the Holy War, We hit him hard early and confused him, he never recovered. even playing against teams like Idaho State and NMSU his stats were mediocre at best.
by khaostheory117 on Dec 5, 2011 4:13 PM PST up reply actions
If I'm wrong and he does amazing where ever he ends up I'll gladly eat crow
but I just see the kid as a giant bust
by khaostheory117 on Dec 5, 2011 4:15 PM PST up reply actions
Again, this sounds like mismanagement
If he was that arrogant and entitled, perhaps it wasn’t the best idea to just give him the starting job out of the gate.
It sounds like a description of Ryan Leaf
I feel like Charlie Brown trying to kick the football. Ugh
I know he was highly recruited, but he is leaving BYU because he wasn't good enough to play there
I honestly don’t know much about him other then he put up huge numbers in high school. (was this maybe due to talent around him?) Is he Pac-12 level QB if he couldn’t make it at BYU?
We will call him Zatara.....sounds fearsome....It means driftwood.
Was he released by BYU?
Or will he have to sit a year. So it Tuel starts next year and Heaps comes in (sits a year), then Halliday and Heaps will both have 2 years to play. If Tuel gets a medical redshirt that will really make things interesting. All hypothetical of course.
Mike Leach invented Swag | CougCenter member since 9/2/2008
Cal
Would seem to be the best option for him of the schools listed. He could compete for the job immediately and they have a couple of great WR’s. Tedford also has a great talent for developing QB’s.
Competition is King
In Mike Leach’s world, positions are going to open to performers. (His definition of performers)
When I look at completion rates and sacks for Wazzu, I wonder about the OL. What’s the story there?
Anyone know whether Mason had a source for that list or was just guessing?
Seems like a bunch of other schools might be a better fit than some listed (Cal as an exception). Boise State absent Moore, Utah (although it would be like a WSU transfer going to play for UW in rivalry terms), and a few other spots seem to make more sense than those listed.
Mason's tweet was also what broke the Leach hiring.
Maybe he knows some people. Don’t see USC or UW at all, Cal and WSU make sense. UCLA also makes sense, they haven’t had a decent QB since Drew Olson.
Competition is always a good thing, who knows what we’ll really have with Apodaca and Clements. Halliday will always be a risk if he can’t gain at least 20 pounds. Wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world for a former #1 QB from the wet side succeed in Pullman either.
Who I really want to see take a good look at WSU is Max Browne.
by klokkins on Dec 5, 2011 5:21 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
I can't really see him at Washington.
He won’t get to play unless Price gets hurt and even then he probably won’t. I’ve watched quite a few UW games this year and in most of them Price limps around but stays on the field. Either Sark is an idiot and thinks Price is fine or he doesn’t have any faith in Montana
If I remember right UW has two studs QBs coming in next year
who were both in the Elite Eleven competition. Lindquist was a finalist. I don’t know why both are going to the same school.
Jeff Lindquist – Mercer Island – Mercer Island, Wash. – 6’3", 225 lbs. – WASHINGTON
Cyler Miles – Mullen – Denver, Colo. – 6’4", 220 – WASHINGTON
I think UW is out for Heaps.
Mike Leach invented Swag | CougCenter member since 9/2/2008
Crazy talk here
but I’m pretty sure Lindquist is a scout team quarterback. The Islanders were a one-man team this year. He’s smart, he’s fast, he has an OK arm, but I just don’t seem him actually developing into a starter.
I feel like Charlie Brown trying to kick the football. Ugh
I will be surprised if that is all he ends up being. If that happens I sure he will transfer.
He is a 4-star QB and ranked 15th in the nation. I am not saying he is a world beater, but he was an Elite 11 finalist. If you are an Elite 11 QB, there is a good chance you will be good.
Of the 32 quarterbacks projected to start in the NFL this year, 22 came through the Elite 11 program, Dilfer said, as did four of the top 12 picks in the 2011 NFL draft.http://espn.go.com/college-sports/recruiting/football/story/_/id/6794915/trio-share-mvp-honors-elite-11
You are right he might not develop into a starter and I am not sure if he will but he has impressed a lot of people so far. Game time vs. camps drills is a different story.
Mike Leach invented Swag | CougCenter member since 9/2/2008
Either way, Mike will treat him like all of his recruits.
If My Life Is Great, Why Am I Not Happy?
by well you win some and lose others on Dec 6, 2011 1:55 PM PST up reply actions
Jesus, Man!!! Follow along!!
I feel like Charlie Brown trying to kick the football. Ugh
I've had the opportunity to watch him play in person
I get the Elite 11 stuff and the high ranking, but I just don’t see it. Knowing what I do about Mercer Island, its history in football and its history in academics, I could see this being a shrewd pick up of a smart, studious back up.
Just my theory.
I feel like Charlie Brown trying to kick the football. Ugh
I remember when he announced he was going to BYU.
all the Montlake Jake talk had people hoping he’d stay close to home. They were crushed they didn’t get him. Now? Everyone is kinda like, “Yeah, I mean, if he comes here great, but … meh”
Gotta think there’s more to this than just talent.
See my comment above.
Wouldn’t you be “meh” if you you had two studs QBs coming in? Plus Price and Montana already in the system. That makes 3 Elite 11 QB participants in their system. Not bad.
Mike Leach invented Swag | CougCenter member since 9/2/2008
I was sort of referring to everyone, not just UW.
because if we were in on Heaps out of HS, everyone would have lost their minds. Now? If he comes here, I think people will be excited, but I’m not sure anyone is like ZOMG WE MUST GET HEAPS NOWWWWW
Even some Cal fans are like, “Hey sure, why not” It’s just funny what can happen in a few years.
by Kyle Rancourt on Dec 5, 2011 5:09 PM PST up reply actions
Gotcha.
I thought you were referring to UW because of the Montelake Jake comment.
Mike Leach invented Swag | CougCenter member since 9/2/2008
The Montlake Jake stuffed killed me.
YOU GUYS ALREADY HAVE A JAKE THAT YOU CALL MONTLAKE JAKE. Lazy.
by Kyle Rancourt on Dec 5, 2011 5:40 PM PST up reply actions
What's the catch?
I’m not sure I would want anything to do with Heaps. Why did he fail as the number one overall QB prospect at BYU? Why did a 2 star QB overtake him (Riley Nelson)? I can’t see him being any better than Halliday despite the recruiting ranking.
If the reason is depth, is Heaps worth it? It all depends on his attitude.
I've never heard anything negative about his attitude at all.
not sure why you’re so against this like the guy is Ron Artest or something.
by Kyle Rancourt on Dec 5, 2011 5:10 PM PST up reply actions
Which is kind of what I've read other places too
but the “I’m not sure I would want anything to do with Heaps … It all depends on his attitude.” stuff was what baffled me. Because he didn’t seize the job as a leader and is now transferring doesn’t equate to him being a bad kid or a bad teammate. If anything, I think an experience like this would help light a fire under him and force him to step up to the plate from a leadership type role.
by Kyle Rancourt on Dec 5, 2011 5:24 PM PST up reply actions
Sure, but I think jeremyb91 is asking legitimate questions
I think it’s perfectly reasonable to ask why, with all his talent, he failed. I don’t think he was pretending to know all the answers, just that Leach (or any other coach) should do their due diligence and ask the right questions. It’s certainly fishy when the No. 1 QB in the country can’t hack it at a mid-major.
I don't really worry about Heaps
because Leach is such a big personality that I won’t worry about these issues. Leach will make them shape up or they are out. That is what I have gathered from Leach. I am excited about that.
Mike Leach invented Swag | CougCenter member since 9/2/2008
Mendenhall made the decision to change the style of the offense
and that meant a change of qbs. This appeared to be as much a decision about other players at other positions as it was about his qb.
Andy Wooldridge, andy_wooldridge@yahoo.com
BuildingTheDam.Com
Go Beavs!
I think, and I'm not sure...
The offense went from a more wide-open — shotgun, big splits, passing — scheme to more of a pro style — more under center, balance, run-to-pass all that fun stuff. Basically, BYU hired a young OC who came in and changed a ton this past offseason.
BYU fired Anae and brought in Doman who is in his first year as OC
He completely built this offense around Heaps’ skill set. There actually hasn’t been a huge change in offense from what BYU has run for forever (at least as far as I could tell, large focus on passing as usual) and there wasn’t much change when Nelson took over as the starter except they’ve taken advantage of Nelson’s mobility a bit.
But I’m no expert so I could also be wrong.
by khaostheory117 on Dec 5, 2011 9:10 PM PST up reply actions
I would completely disagree with building it around his skill set
Heaps has always played out of the shotgun in a spread that utilized vertical routes liberally. He did it in high school and that’s kinda what he’s good at. Transitioning him to a pro-set and putting him under center is a pretty big shock to the system, especially with a run game that bordered on inept early in the year.
It's just a question
I don’t know anything about the kid, but I look at the fact he was the 1 QB in college recruiting and he had the big old press conference announcing BYU. The fact he couldn’t beat out a 2 star and was forced into a two man rotation to determine the best starter doesn’t bode well for his overall talents.
I could be completely off-base, but I believe there’s more to the fact he failed to obtain a leadership role. I think the fact he struggled in college football against mid-major talent doesn’t bode well for his future in the PAC 12.
I think it is Cal or someone not listed.
-Jesse Scroggins and Cody Kessler are at USC and Barkely could stay one more year.
-UW is packed at the QB position
-Cal has Zach Cline coming in, but he will be a freshman and could redshirt.
-I don’t see him coming to WSU, unless Leach gets on it all of a sudden.
Mike Leach invented Swag | CougCenter member since 9/2/2008
Would BYU let Heaps come here since we're on the schedule in 2013?
I know often times schools only release kids with the stipulation they can’t go anywhere in conference. Since BYU is indy would they let him come to a BCS school they are going to play when he is eligible in 2013?
"If you want your dreams to come true, don't sleep in."
I think once they officially release him from his scholarship
they can’t do anything to stop him from transferring to a particular school. Carl Bonnell left WSU and went to UW. Players transfer within the conference all the time.
by Kyle Rancourt on Dec 5, 2011 5:12 PM PST up reply actions
See I thought it was often times a condition of the release. I know Miami didn't
let Robert Marve transfer to something like 27 schools and the Pac-10 didn’t let USC guys transfer within conference after the sanctions. As for Bonnell, I mean that was Carl Bonnell, I was a (redacted) fan during that time and he was pretty awful.
"If you want your dreams to come true, don't sleep in."
To transfer within the Pac 12 there's a 2 year limit
To transfer from BYU to any Pac 12 school he’d just have to wait a year. Marve and Miami was a complete mess, neither side said anything nice about the other. This doesn’t seem to be a similar situation at all.
Didn't realize that.
Wow, schools seem to have all the power once you sign your name on the dotted line. Also, why I don’t get upset that guys take tons of time to look around and such, its a huge decision.
And why I don't get overly upset
when they change their mind. Though switching to WSU to UW earns an appropriate amount of enmity.
#CougHarmonyOnTwitter #teamnopants
No they don't, kids can freely transer within conf or NCAA rules.
I think you are thinking about when schools release kids from letters of intent.
My friend the BYU fan HATED to see him go.
Completely anecdotal, but this dude is seriously crushed that they won’t have Heaps next year. He really believes this is a Bronco issue, not a Heaps issue. My guess is that if he wants to come here, Leach can probably use his talent to its fullest.
As a Utah fan I hate to see him go too.
Check this fine performance out.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ogDT9_NrRE
Kid had a bad day, but also watch some of the post game interviews. Needs a RS year to mature and learn to be a team player and it ain’t happen in Provostan.
Your Halliday is 10x the player based on heart alone.
What is best in life? To crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and to hear the lamentation of their women. - Conan the Barbarian
I second the comment on Halliday...
watching the gutty performance Halliday had against us (Utah) with such an awful injury couldn’t be more night and day with what I saw from Heaps in our game with BYU. I remarked to my friends that when Nelson replaced Heaps in the Utah/BYU game, there was a visible enthusiasm lift in their team (lifting them to a 54-10 loss, but you can’t pin that one on Nelson.. :) ).
I think Heaps has tons of potential, and I’m pretty sure almost any program in the country would give him a chance to compete (including Utah), but I’ve not been impressed to this point. I’d take Halliday over him in a heartbeat.
All the BYU fans I've talked to most recently could care less
are they disappointed he didn’t live up to his hype? hell yes. but are they heartbroken that he’s leaving? not as far as I can tell.
by khaostheory117 on Dec 5, 2011 9:12 PM PST up reply actions
Another QB for the bench?
I recall PW holding tryouts among the WSU students a couple years ago when the top 2-3 QB’s went down to injury. In the Apple Cup this year our #1 back up was a walk on. Based on this year, can Leach really be “too deep” at the QB position?
Three questions
Who reads the field best?
Who has the most accurate touch?
Who can through in a rolling pocket?
I haven’t seen any Wazzu this year, but I think that is the measure for the starter (current or tranfer or incoming)
So who has the inside track?
Halliday or Tuel? Clements and Brown will have to step up to get in the race. Outsiders will be crowding to get in this year and next.
I am new here and have not seen how them move.
How do they stack up in:
Vision
Accuracy
Mobility
Tuel should be the starter barring any unforseen circumstances
He’s just progressed more than the others.
by sdcoug09 on Dec 5, 2011 9:19 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
Halliday is out of major physical activity for a while
so he won’t be able to do the majority of the off season stuff.
Attractive, Intelligent, Smart A**
by Neil Vincent Roberts on Dec 5, 2011 10:04 PM PST up reply actions
I'll give this a shot.
Tuel is a more balanced qb, in that he’s more likely to make plays with his feet. Halliday has shown he can extend plays by running out of the pocket, but he’s probably not as fast/agile as Tuel. Neither would really be called “running” qbs. Both have solid arm strength on the deep ball, and good touch as well. I’d probably give a slight edge to Halliday, though.
I think that at this point Tuel has better accuracy, better ability to read the defense, and makes better decisions. He should, he’s a rising senior. Halliday probably has better upside, and I’d say is better at the longball, though they’re both pretty dang good.
#CougHarmonyOnTwitter #teamnopants
by TiltingRight on Dec 5, 2011 10:45 PM PST up reply actions
While I agree that Tuel isn't a "run-first" QB,
I do think he has the ability to pick up yards on the ground. He has a good arm, and looks to make plays in the air first. Splitting hairs, I know. There have just been too many times where the pocket has collapsed and Tuel scrambled for a 10-15 yard gain.
by displacedcoug on Dec 6, 2011 8:42 AM PST up reply actions 1 recs
He could do his mission in Pullman.
Two birds, one stone.
Mike Leach invented Swag | CougCenter member since 9/2/2008
I would feel kind of funny watching Cougar games after slamming my door in the QBs face
by PullManiac on Dec 5, 2011 7:49 PM PST up reply actions 7 recs
I guess this is a bad time to bring up the fact that I dressed up as a Mormon for Halloween one year?
by Kyle Rancourt on Dec 5, 2011 10:57 PM PST up reply actions
You dressed up like Donny Osmond???
Or was it Marie? Or Gladys Knight?
What is best in life? To crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and to hear the lamentation of their women. - Conan the Barbarian
I will now refer to you as Brother Kyle
Mike Leach invented Swag | CougCenter member since 9/2/2008
by SoCalCoug on Dec 6, 2011 8:40 AM PST up reply actions 1 recs
Mission ain't happening
Kid got married over the summer, so no longer mission eligible.
What is best in life? To crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and to hear the lamentation of their women. - Conan the Barbarian
Married at 18? 19?
No wonder he isn’t playing well. He’s lost the edge.
I feel like Charlie Brown trying to kick the football. Ugh
Good Luck if Heaps Comes to Pullman
I’m a BYU fan but my wife is a WSU grad. I wouldn’t mind seeing Heaps light it up at Wash St. Kid’s got an ego though. Not sure that’d go well with Mike Leach.
What about Arizona
Do you think Arizona would take a shot at him since they have no other scholarship QBs behind Matt Scott
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