Brigham Young Cougars quarterback Jake Heaps publicly announced that he would transfer from BYU this month. Heaps released a statement that he would not do any more interviews for at least a week. With that moratorium in place, I will rhetorically pose my questions for Heaps.
Jake, if you are reading this, feel free to email your answers when you are ready.
1. When did you first consider transferring?
With the topic all over the internet for several weeks, and even high profile figures weighing in on this issue, it feels like transferring wasn’t Heaps’ idea. However, as the idea gained momentum someone from his inner circle caught wind of it and shared it with him. That led to wheels turning in Heaps’ head and what was once something he had never considered was now becoming the preferred route.
2. Why not stay to prove to everyone that aren’t a “bust” and weren’t “overrated” in high school?
This was what kept the other #9 who wanted to transfer after his sophomore season at BYU. Jim McMahon knew he was better than Marc Wilson. McMahon was all set to transfer. He had even contacted his high school coach to help. In the end, the idea of staying and showing up Wilson won out.
3. Aren’t the chances of success in your final two seasons much, much better at BYU than any other school?
In 2013, Heaps will be the only one with real time and experience in the program. The team will want him to be the leader, and not some upstart newcomer who is making a splash without earning any strips on the field of play. Essentially, all the obstacles in the locker room that Heaps had to try and overcome will now be in his favor.
At BYU, Heaps knows the offense. He has built a rapport with the skilled players that is crucial for success. His play has clearly demonstrated he can be a great quarterback at BYU.
None of this comes guaranteed at any other school. (Heaps should know. He went through all of this just one year ago.) He will have to compete with other scholarship quarterbacks with more time with the team and experience with the system. Clearly his time at BYU has shown that he can’t just go in with his stronger arm and better abilities and expect everyone to follow him.
4. Dick Harmon with the Deseret News suggested that the way your wife was treated in the stands during the Utah State game helped push you away from BYU. While I don’t condone fans abusing the players’ families, do you expect fans, media, and coaches to be kinder elsewhere?
Early indications are that the two USCs—Southern Cal and South Carolina—are expressing the most interest in Heaps. One of the first things that Lane Kiffen said when he became the head coach at Southern Cal was that he thought Matt Barkley looked fat. Steve Spurrier at South Carolina has never been shy about criticizing his quarterbacks.
Want to go to Washington? Fan expectation will be just as high, if not higher, in Heaps’ hometown as they were at BYU.
Heaps can fully expect death threats to him and his family if he is playing at an SEC school. Is that what he wants for his family? Whatever happened in LaVell Edwards Stadium is child’s play compared to what the Heapses will have to endure at other serious programs.
5. How much did you look at the track record of other quarterbacks who have transferred?
Most recently, Tate Forcier went from one of the most prestigious programs in college football (Michigan) and landed at San Jose State. Quite a step down. Ryan Perrilloux was going to be the next great thing at LSU. He moved on to Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) school Jacksonville State.
Cam Newton was successful at Auburn after leaving Florida, but that was only after taking the junior college route and winning a national championship on that level.
What about former BYU quarterbacks? Ben Olson quickly comes to mind. “Ben who?” you ask. My point exactly. Todd Mortensen left and went to San Diego, not to be mistaken with San Diego State. Thanks to his size and his head coach’s NFL connections, he was able to spend a little time on some NFL rosters. One of those “perfect storm” situations.
Transferring doesn’t appear to be the best way for Heaps to reach his lofty NFL goals.
6. What about finishing your career playing with the guys you actively recruited to BYU?
Ross Apo and Zac Stout committed the same day at the same press conference as Heaps. Both have redshirted. Heaps redshirting next year would put all three on the same timetable. Best friend Kyle Van Noy will be a senior. Getting one more year with him isn’t that bad. Having such a close relationship with this core of upperclassmen on the team would also help with everyone on the team being fully behind Heaps.
7. You are going to have to redshirt next year if you go to another Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) school, so redshirting wasn’t the deal breaker. What was the deal breaker for staying at BYU?
Was there a falling out between Heaps and quarterbacks coach Brandon Doman? Did Heaps feel the damage done was irreparable? Was it fan abuse?
8. Perhaps the most important characteristic of a good quarterback is the ability to make good decisions. How does transferring demonstrate good decision making?
I can’t see how transferring is a good decision. Everything is in place for Heaps to be successful, if he will just wait one year. Redshirting wasn’t part of the original plan, neither was getting benched this year. So what? Plans change all the time in football.
A receiver drops a ball making it 3rd and 10 instead of a first down 15 yards closer to the end zone. A running back fumbles the ball when the team was already in field goal range. The defense has only allowed 10 points per game all year, but this week it gave up 24 points in the first half.
Comparing Heaps' college career to an actual game, he has wanted to throw the long bomb every down. It worked in the first quarter, but in the second quarter it stopped working. The team fell behind. He could have gone into halftime to regroup and make adjustments. There was still plenty of time to win the game. Instead, he has told the coach he didn’t want to alter the game plan. If changes were going to be made, they would be made without him, and he benched himself for the second half.
Heaps still had plenty of time to win the game at BYU. Transferring, looks like one more attempt at completing a long bomb. It gives the impression that he thinks the only way to have a great college career is for every play to make the highlight reel.
While I don’t agree with the decision, I do want to say, “Thank you, Jake, for playing a critical role in 12 wins. Best of luck in the future.”
The Editor appreciates all feedback. He can be reached via email at bluecougarfootball@gmail.com
Jake, if you are reading this, feel free to email your answers when you are ready.
1. When did you first consider transferring?
With the topic all over the internet for several weeks, and even high profile figures weighing in on this issue, it feels like transferring wasn’t Heaps’ idea. However, as the idea gained momentum someone from his inner circle caught wind of it and shared it with him. That led to wheels turning in Heaps’ head and what was once something he had never considered was now becoming the preferred route.
2. Why not stay to prove to everyone that aren’t a “bust” and weren’t “overrated” in high school?
This was what kept the other #9 who wanted to transfer after his sophomore season at BYU. Jim McMahon knew he was better than Marc Wilson. McMahon was all set to transfer. He had even contacted his high school coach to help. In the end, the idea of staying and showing up Wilson won out.
3. Aren’t the chances of success in your final two seasons much, much better at BYU than any other school?
In 2013, Heaps will be the only one with real time and experience in the program. The team will want him to be the leader, and not some upstart newcomer who is making a splash without earning any strips on the field of play. Essentially, all the obstacles in the locker room that Heaps had to try and overcome will now be in his favor.
At BYU, Heaps knows the offense. He has built a rapport with the skilled players that is crucial for success. His play has clearly demonstrated he can be a great quarterback at BYU.
None of this comes guaranteed at any other school. (Heaps should know. He went through all of this just one year ago.) He will have to compete with other scholarship quarterbacks with more time with the team and experience with the system. Clearly his time at BYU has shown that he can’t just go in with his stronger arm and better abilities and expect everyone to follow him.
4. Dick Harmon with the Deseret News suggested that the way your wife was treated in the stands during the Utah State game helped push you away from BYU. While I don’t condone fans abusing the players’ families, do you expect fans, media, and coaches to be kinder elsewhere?
Early indications are that the two USCs—Southern Cal and South Carolina—are expressing the most interest in Heaps. One of the first things that Lane Kiffen said when he became the head coach at Southern Cal was that he thought Matt Barkley looked fat. Steve Spurrier at South Carolina has never been shy about criticizing his quarterbacks.
Want to go to Washington? Fan expectation will be just as high, if not higher, in Heaps’ hometown as they were at BYU.
Heaps can fully expect death threats to him and his family if he is playing at an SEC school. Is that what he wants for his family? Whatever happened in LaVell Edwards Stadium is child’s play compared to what the Heapses will have to endure at other serious programs.
5. How much did you look at the track record of other quarterbacks who have transferred?
Most recently, Tate Forcier went from one of the most prestigious programs in college football (Michigan) and landed at San Jose State. Quite a step down. Ryan Perrilloux was going to be the next great thing at LSU. He moved on to Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) school Jacksonville State.
Cam Newton was successful at Auburn after leaving Florida, but that was only after taking the junior college route and winning a national championship on that level.
What about former BYU quarterbacks? Ben Olson quickly comes to mind. “Ben who?” you ask. My point exactly. Todd Mortensen left and went to San Diego, not to be mistaken with San Diego State. Thanks to his size and his head coach’s NFL connections, he was able to spend a little time on some NFL rosters. One of those “perfect storm” situations.
Transferring doesn’t appear to be the best way for Heaps to reach his lofty NFL goals.
6. What about finishing your career playing with the guys you actively recruited to BYU?
Ross Apo and Zac Stout committed the same day at the same press conference as Heaps. Both have redshirted. Heaps redshirting next year would put all three on the same timetable. Best friend Kyle Van Noy will be a senior. Getting one more year with him isn’t that bad. Having such a close relationship with this core of upperclassmen on the team would also help with everyone on the team being fully behind Heaps.
7. You are going to have to redshirt next year if you go to another Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) school, so redshirting wasn’t the deal breaker. What was the deal breaker for staying at BYU?
Was there a falling out between Heaps and quarterbacks coach Brandon Doman? Did Heaps feel the damage done was irreparable? Was it fan abuse?
8. Perhaps the most important characteristic of a good quarterback is the ability to make good decisions. How does transferring demonstrate good decision making?
I can’t see how transferring is a good decision. Everything is in place for Heaps to be successful, if he will just wait one year. Redshirting wasn’t part of the original plan, neither was getting benched this year. So what? Plans change all the time in football.
A receiver drops a ball making it 3rd and 10 instead of a first down 15 yards closer to the end zone. A running back fumbles the ball when the team was already in field goal range. The defense has only allowed 10 points per game all year, but this week it gave up 24 points in the first half.
Comparing Heaps' college career to an actual game, he has wanted to throw the long bomb every down. It worked in the first quarter, but in the second quarter it stopped working. The team fell behind. He could have gone into halftime to regroup and make adjustments. There was still plenty of time to win the game. Instead, he has told the coach he didn’t want to alter the game plan. If changes were going to be made, they would be made without him, and he benched himself for the second half.
Heaps still had plenty of time to win the game at BYU. Transferring, looks like one more attempt at completing a long bomb. It gives the impression that he thinks the only way to have a great college career is for every play to make the highlight reel.
******
While I don’t agree with the decision, I do want to say, “Thank you, Jake, for playing a critical role in 12 wins. Best of luck in the future.”
The Editor appreciates all feedback. He can be reached via email at bluecougarfootball@gmail.com
Great questions. I doubt we will ever hear their answers, but they did need to be asked.
ReplyDeleteVan Noy is a redshirt sophomore if I am not mistaken
ReplyDeleteMcMahon red-shirted because of off-season injury... not because he was altruistic
ReplyDeleteTroy Aikman, Joe Flacco, JP Losman, Ryan Mallet, Cam Newton, Max Hall all transferred to great success. Riley Nelson's success as a transfer is yet to be determined.
ReplyDeleteWhat if Heaps lights it up for two years at a BCS school? How stupid would you feel then?
ReplyDelete^And what if he doesn't, Anonymous?
ReplyDeleteVan Noy is a true sophomore, but he greyshirted. He was part of the 2009 recruiting class, but he didn't enroll at BYU until January 2010.
ReplyDeleteGoing by the calendar, he is on the same timetable as if he redshirted, but the NCAA still recognizes that he has a redshirt year available.
"Troy Aikman, Joe Flacco, JP Losman, Ryan Mallet, Cam Newton, Max Hall all transferred to great success."
ReplyDeleteThose are some good examples. I also remember now Jevan Sneed left Texas for Ole Miss. It is debatable, though, how much success he really had.
I don't have the exact figures, but it seems like for each Aikman, there are 2 or 3 Mitch Mustains and Robert Marves.
So ... "What if Heaps lights it up for two years at a BCS school? How stupid would you feel then?"
I won't feel stupid at all. If he does, good for him. To do so, Heaps would have beaten the odds, in my estimation.
I never said Heaps was a bad quarterback and that BYU would be better off without him.
Stop being sensible. Feelings were hurt and those who are coddling him no longer like BYU.
ReplyDeleteHeaps can't light it up at another school for two years, unless he goes the ju-co route, but who really cares if you can be an amazing quarterback at the ju-co level?
ReplyDeleteIF he ends up transferring, he will sit one year and play one year, sounds like a waste to me.
Ryan
Regarding McMahon, he did have knee surgery following the 1978 season, but that is NOT why he redshirted. He was ready to go, and almost played in the 1979 season opener.
ReplyDeleteHere is the account of what happened according to Lee Benson's book "And They Came To Pass":
"[McMahon] got on the phone and contacted Rick Alves and Jack Germaine, his high school coaches in San Jose, and asked them to check with Bay Area colleges that might be interested in his services. He also made inquiries to Weber State.
"When Brent Pratley, who had performed the knee surgery, came by his hospital room, McMahon told him all he wanted were his crutches and a road map.
"'I'm out of here,' he said. 'Life's too short.'
"Pratley suggested that maybe he should think about it, that there were a lot of good reasons for staying.
"'Name one,' said McMahon.
"'You can be the punter.'
"'Name another.'
Pratley went down his list. Among other things McMahon should consider, Pratley said, was that there was no better place to learn the passing game than BYU. If you wanted to be a nuclear scientist you went to M.I.T. If you wanted to be a quarterback you went to BYU. Why go somewhere else and start over again? He told him he could spend his redshirt year at his house if he wanted. Then he said something that really go McMahon's attention.
"'Wouldn't there be some satisfaction in rising above it all and rubbing it in their faces?'
"Now that made sense." (Pages 121-122)
Marc Wilson was ill with a fever following an appendectomy shortly before the 1979 season. Speaking about BYU's trip to play Texas A&M in the 1979 season opener, Benson wrote:
"The Cougars brought along Jim McMmahon just in case." (page 73)
My question is why are BYU fans giving Heaps so much crap for transferring. BYU fans act like it is the crime of the century that he would leave BYU. I have heard people call him a quitter and even call into question his membership in the church. It is ridiculous.
ReplyDeleteDo BYU fans call the transfers like Riley, Fangupo, or Kaveinga quitters when they transfer to BYU? Did they call Max Hall a quitter? Are they going to cheer for Carlino when he steps on the Basketball Court or boo him because he quit on his former teams?
This was a personal decision for Heaps and he has been very classy in making the announcement. He could have thrown Bronco and Doman under the bus because everybody knows they weren't perfect in all of this but he didn't. Leave Heaps alone and let him move on. Sometimes change is a good thing. Good Luck Jake Heaps!
Jakes Heaps doesn't fit Brandon Doman's system. Why would sitting out a year change the disconnect between Doman's system and Heaps' skills? Perhaps it's a bigger problem than your questions suggest...
ReplyDeleteYou are clearly biased, as your questions and presumptuous answers reveal. So, why should he answer your questions?
Mallet left Michigan not because he didn't like playing in Ann Arbor, but because Rich Rod was hired and his skills didn't fit the preferred style of the guy calling the shots on offense. Similar story here.
ReplyDeleteDoman is the reason he is leaving....this seems obvious. All of the other issues are secondary.
Do you remember that multi-year BYU quarterback situation graphic that you put together a while back? I would like to see that revised and revisited with your take on the 2013 season situation, if you have the time and interest.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteDevin,
ReplyDeleteYes, I remember.
Link:
http://www.bluecougarfootball.com/2011/04/brigham-young-cougars-2011-19-qb.html
Nothing changes much. In that analysis, I included the possibility that Heaps leaves after his junior year for the NFL.
The only thing that changes is that now Nelson plays 2012 instead of Heaps.
The 2013 options are still Munns and Hill, plus Ammon Olson who transferred after that was put together.
Olson would be on the same timeline as Hill as far as experience in the program, but I think Olson is one year of eligibility ahead of Hill (Hill went straight on mission after high school, and Olson went to Southern Utah for a year).
I really wish he would have simply redshirted next year and then dominated his last two years.
ReplyDeleteI believe in his ability and hope he has success in the future.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteYou seem to assume that BYU's coaches would let him start if he stayed. Coach Mendenhall had no stomache for him, as evidenced by his repeated statements -- before Nelson was cleared to play -- that Nelson definitely would start against Hawai'i if there would be any way he could.
ReplyDeleteI haven't heard any sincere words from Mendenhall that would give Heaps hope, forget about assurance, that he would take the first snap in a game instead of Hill, Lark, Munns, or Mangum.
As for his "rapport" with the team, that claim begs an explanation of how zombies suddenly played lights-out when Heaps *left* the field.
Face it, BYU's coaches and team were done with him. So am I.
I have heard several statements by Mendenhall in support of Heaps. He said Nelson would start the Hawaii game because the choice was clear between which QB was better for the 2011 team.
ReplyDeleteThe 2013 team will be a lot different than the 2011 and 2012 teams. Those "zombies" who didn't play well with Heaps will be gone.
Mangum and Lark won't be with the team in 2013.
The gap between Heaps and Munns is HUGE. Heaps was no. 1 on the pre-season depth chart and Munns was no. 4.
Hill is going to be a redshirt freshman with ZERO college live game experience. Starting him would be complete foolishness if you had Heaps on the roster.