Heaps vs. Nelson, No Spring Game?

A perfect thread title! :D





" I would say that they're equal as of right now," coach Bronco Mendenhall said Friday. "If you were to say, 'Who will probably get the first snap?' it would be Riley because he was simply here in the fall. James and Jake weren't. Just in terms of knowledge of what to do, he's probably at a higher level. That does not mean that he's been designated the starter. I'll probably get that question after Day One with members of the media asking me why (Nelson) was with the ones. Right now, it would only be based on knowledge. James and Jake are catching up. " http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700016087/BYU-football-QB-battle-will-highlight-spring-practices.html





" Offensive lineman Jason Speredon (who missed the entire 2009 season due to a torn rotator cuff) won't be participating... Others who will see limited, non-contact action include offensive linemen Houston Reynolds (who suffered an ACL during fall camp) and Ryan Freeman (calf) and Marco Thorson... Due to a dearth of healthy offensive linemen, the spring game may be scaled back, Mendenhall said. The spring game, which concludes spring drills, is scheduled for April 10. "There will be an open practice at least on that day. Whether I can commit to a spring game or not, it's probably too early," said Mendenhall. "I'd love to do it if we can, but with only eight healthy offensive linemen to start spring, I'll do something in terms of an open practice format. But by the time we get to practice No. 15, it's hard to say what that will be." " http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700016087/BYU-football-QB-battle-will-highlight-spring-practices.html?pg=2





" Another linebacker, Grant Nelson, has left the team to pursue an internship, according to Mendenhall. Running back Peni Maka'afi won't participate in spring ball due to academic reasons. "

Is Grant done for good? That stinks if he is. He was a good player, but at least we have a lot of talent at LB coming in.

does "left the team" mean for spring or for good? I am assuming its just temporary.



Mark my words. Nelson won't be the starting qb come the opening game with washington. Its heap or lark's for the taking.



I predict no spring game and no starting qb job at the end of the season for riley.

I am sorry to lose Nelson as LB. He was both experienced and talented. Last summer, IIRC, he was expected to start over Pendleton until he was injured.



I wonder why Heaps is not mentioned in the quotes from the above articles. Isn't he graduating early so he can be at BYU's spring camp?

Reading the article, this thread title should be Nelson vs. Heaps vs. Lark.



And yes, Heaps is on campus and participating in workouts. He had some growing pains early on (arriving late to voluntary workouts, opting out of some drills, etc.), but after the first couple of weeks he got his head on straight and has since been a model citizen. He has been impressive at times, youthful at others. About what you'd expect out of any touted freshman.

snoscythe wrote:
He had some growing pains early on (arriving late to voluntary workouts, opting out of some drills, etc.), but after the first couple of weeks he got his head on straight and has since been a model citizen. He has been impressive at times, youthful at others. About what you'd expect out of any touted freshman.

Heard that from an inside source as well, at least the first part, a few weeks ago. Good to hear he's making the adjustments.



I also heard that Quezada, up to that point, had been nothing but pure class. Hope he's still doing well.

I've said all along that this time, I don't think there will be a starting named at QB coming out of Spring camp, unless Heaps really turns it on and blows everyone else away...





" For the first time in three years, there's a quarterback competition at BYU. Spring practices get underway Monday afternoon for the Cougars, but the task of finding a replacement for three-year starter Max Hall probably won't be resolved anytime soon.



"In this particular quarterback battle, it might go all the way into fall camp," said coach Bronco Mendenhall.



Those competing for the starting job are junior Riley Nelson, sophomore James Lark and true freshman Jake Heaps. Nelson backed up Hall last season, Lark returned home from a mission in December, and true freshman Jake Heaps, is a high school All-American who enrolled in January. The last time Mendenhall and his staff faced a quarterback quandary like this, in 2007, Hall beat out Cade Cooper and Brenden Gaskins, and took over for three-year starter John Beck.



Ideally, Mendenhall would like to have a clear-cut starter in place heading into summer workouts and fall camp again. But given the circumstances, that scenario is unlikely, said Mendenhall.



"I'd rather make sure in this particular case that it's the right player that's been evaluated thoroughly with the support of the staff and the team than to rush it for the sake of the leadership in the summer, which is what I've done before. This will probably be a longer battle than normal... I might be surprised. It might be where there's just a clear leader. But that's probably premature to say that we'd be able to get it done this spring, and probably not even wise."



Though they have yet to participate in an official practice together, all three quarterback hopefuls have been impressive this winter, Mendenhall said.



"In the off-season workouts, where you can't use a ball, so it's just footwork and competitive spirit and conditioning, all three are just competing like mad. All have fantastic leadership skills. It's going to be a very, very intriguing and fun decision to make because they're all fantastic kids and really good players. Then you add Jason Munns coming off his mission. I've never been around four quality kids with this kind of leadership potential all at the same time. I really feel the responsibility to organize and orchestrate this in a fair and proper manner for all of them and for our team..."



When drills start today, the three quarterbacks will be, for the most part, on equal footing. "



http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700016652/BYU-football-Who-will-be-BYUs-starting-quarterback-this-fall.html





QB Coach Doman says that he thinks any of his 4 quarterbacks are good enough to win the MWC this year, and that is his expectation. That's good. Our RB core (led by Unga and Quezada) and LBs sound hungry as well.

Mars wrote:

does "left the team" mean for spring or for good? I am assuming its just temporary.

You don't really leave the team for a job unless you aren't coming back, IMO...

"internships" are different than jobs.

Mars wrote:

"internships" are different than jobs.

Yeah, they're unpaid.

yes, and they usually only last a few months meaning he would come back for summer. i doubt that, but was hoping. It is a little ambiguous what he 'left the team for an internship' means.

Can't find the specific statement now, but I thought the internship would happen later in the year and would conflict with the season.



Not all internships are unpaid. I've had two, and both paid at least something cash.

Not all internships are unpaid. Off the top of my head education internships are 6/10 salary with full benefits and psychology internships are paid an hourly wage.