'10 WA QB Jake Heaps

[utmba93]

No, I think he will make the right decision. Jake Locker isn't the guy that Sark wants running his offense by all accounts. Also, Kasen Williams is going to go where Jake goes from everything I have read, so it only makes sense for both to go to UW. Also, they don't play a lot of defense in the Pac-10, so that will help with stats. I also don't think that the staff believes that he is the answer to our problems in the first place and there will be better QB's in the 2011 class.

Your last point is the one that will carry the most weight in who UT gets as QB, imo.

Personally, I like Cam who seems to be leaning our way and who seems to offer the shortest time to contributing to the 2010 season. He also seems to be clearly focused on a professional career, so that makes us a good match. And, he really doesn't hurt us with the 2011 class.

UT offers, perhaps, the best opportunity for a QB focused on the NFL in this class. I believe whoever we pick should be able to figure that out in 3-5 seconds (that's how quick they need to get rational to be a great NFL signal-caller).

 

[TENNaciousUTfan]

Based on the criterion of providing the best opportunity to excel in the NFL?

Based on program, winning tradition/prestige, facilities, staff with most NFL coaches, young HC from USC and NFL, and dire need at their position relative to the competition...all these elements together as a whole, make UT a more attractive prospect.

These are points they raise...not just mine

 

[utmba93]

Based on program, winning tradition/prestige, facilities, staff with most NFL coaches, young HC from USC and NFL, and dire need at their position relative to the competition...all these elements together as a whole, make UT a more attractive prospect.

These are points they raise...not just mine

Good summary. I agree.

 

[TENNaciousUTfan]

UW Lock. Book it.

Hungry for some southern-fried Crow, are you?

 

[g8terh8ter_eric]

Based on program, winning tradition/prestige, facilities, staff with most NFL coaches, young HC from USC and NFL, and dire need at their position relative to the competition...all these elements together as a whole, make UT a more attractive prospect.

These are points they raise...not just mine

While I don't disagree to a point, both UT and UW are rebuilding projects at this time. I just don't think that we can overcome the distance factor and him wanting his family to see him play. That's a big draw for most kids.

 

[g8terh8ter_eric]

Hungry for some southern-fried Crow, are you?

Are you??

 

[utmba93]

While I don't disagree to a point, both UT and UW are rebuilding projects at this time. I just don't think that we can overcome the distance factor and him wanting his family to see him play. That's a big draw for most kids.

Clearly, Heaps has a west coast bias.

 

[g8terh8ter_eric]

Clearly, Heaps has a west coast bias.

I wouldn't say biased, more like he loves Washington as a whole. Your the best prospect in the state in a while, why wouldn't you want to go to your home school where you might start from Day 1. He wouldn't start from Day 1 here, IMO.

 

[TENNaciousUTfan]

While I don't disagree to a point, both UT and UW are rebuilding projects at this time. I just don't think that we can overcome the distance factor and him wanting his family to see him play. That's a big draw for most kids.

UT is much less a rebuilding program than UW. We were VERY close to being 8-4 despite having a QB who is more capable of nailing hotdog vendors in the stands than hitting an open receiver.
Distance isn't going to stop Scroggins, and within a month or so, it isn't going to stop Heaps. In fact, I would expect LSU before UW. Sometimes getting away from the same old, same old is a VERY enticing thing. Differs from person to person. He said himself that distance isn't an issue. I'll take his word on it.

 

[TENNaciousUTfan]

Are you??

If I say words like "Book It!" or "He's a lock"...then get proven wrong...then Crow is what's for dinner, yes?

 

[g8terh8ter_eric]

UT is much less a rebuilding program than UW. We were VERY close to being 8-4 despite having a QB who is more capable of nailing hotdog vendors in the stands than hitting an open receiver.
Distance isn't going to stop Scroggins, and within a month or so, it isn't going to stop Heaps. In fact, I would expect LSU before UW. Sometimes getting away from the same old, same old is a VERY enticing thing. Differs from person to person. He said himself that distance isn't an issue. I'll take his word on it.

He also said that times were tough, in his recent interview with Sporting News. He also said that you can't just fly around everywhere looking at things. That's one tell tell sign that distance is probably playing a bigger factor than he lets on.

 

[g8terh8ter_eric]

If I say words like "Book It!" or "He's a lock"...then get proven wrong...then Crow is what's for dinner, yes?

Better bring the Ketchup.

 

[utmba93]

I wouldn't say biased, more like he loves Washington as a whole. Your the best prospect in the state in a while, why wouldn't you want to go to your home school where you might start from Day 1. He wouldn't start from Day 1 here, IMO.

Because other alternative are better on one or more of these dimensions:
1) Better fit with religious preferences
2) Better education
3) Better career opportunity

They all offer something in other areas, but most of what UW offers is hometown school, so they win on that count. No contest. And, he could be the type of person who chooses this way. I don't think UW is creating the same national attention that we are and I don't think it has the potential that UT does in becoming a national contender. If it did, Kiffin would be there instead of being at UT.

Starting on Day 1 isn't everything, imo. Playing against the best college defenses possible to help prepare for a transition to the NFL would be higher on my list. It's not total PT that matters, but total preparation.

 

[droski]

I wouldn't say biased, more like he loves Washington as a whole. Your the best prospect in the state in a while, why wouldn't you want to go to your home school where you might start from Day 1. He wouldn't start from Day 1 here, IMO.

there is virtually zero chance he replaces locker as a starter. actually i'd argue he has a much better chance playing right away at Tenn or BYU, than he does LSU, UW, or Cal.

 

[1orangews6]

Because other alternative are better on one or more of these dimensions:
1) Better fit with religious preferences
2) Better education
3) Better career opportunity

They all offer something in other areas, but most of what UW offers is hometown school, so they win on that count. No contest. And, he could be the type of person who chooses this way. I don't think UW is creating the same national attention that we are and I don't think it has the potential that UT does in becoming a national contender. If it did, Kiffin would be there instead of being at UT.

Starting on Day 1 isn't everything, imo. Playing against the best college defenses possible to help prepare for a transition to the NFL would be higher on my list. It's not total PT that matters, but total preparation.

IMO, that's it!

 

[TENNaciousUTfan]

Better bring the Ketchup.

When you have a top national prospect as he is, I think he and his family will certainly be willing to forego some things (seeing all of his games in person) if he feels UT is a better fit and affords him a better chance to get to the next level (not to mention all the NFL connections the staff has...remember, alot of teams base their ratings/projections on connections they have with player's coaches. The Titans drafted a few this year based on this...Kenny Britt was one of them. The relationship he had with Rod Smith who OC Heimerdinger coached at the Broncos was a MAJOR reason the Titans chose him in the 1st rd, despite having a tendency to avoid WR's in the 1st. Many NFL scouts have relationships that give them an inside track on player. This staff has dozens more connections to folks sitting in NFL team "War Rooms" than perhaps any other program in the country).

All these coaches with recent NFL experience, especially Monte, will be able to vouge for the kid when teams might otherwise question his ability. Can't discount the value of that. If I'm in Heaps shoes, I'll take that over homestate proximity any day of the week.

 

[utmba93]

there is virtually zero chance he replaces locker as a starter. actually i'd argue he has a much better chance playing right away at Tenn or BYU, than he does LSU, UW, or Cal.

What's the latest word from Cal on Heaps, Droski?

 

[g8terh8ter_eric]

there is virtually zero chance he replaces locker as a starter. actually i'd argue he has a much better chance playing right away at Tenn or BYU, than he does LSU, UW, or Cal.

If Sark likes him better than Locker, then he would get the nod. Remember, Sark got hired because they went 0-12 with Locker.

 

[Hens67]

locker will be a rs soph this year....heaps will go to uw and ride pine for 2 years
at tn he has the opportunity to be the man right away

or maybe...he selects uwub..goes on mission..and comes back to be the man

 

[droski]

What's the latest word from Cal on Heaps, Droski?

i don't think he's going to cal. the coaching staff either likes austin hinder (or scroogins) a lot better or is getting the impression heaps isn't interested. edit: all i'm hearing is how hinder has unlimited upside, how he will be the best qb tedford has ever recruited, and how he will blow up his senior year. the staff seems to be going all in with hinder.

If Sark likes him better than Locker, then he would get the nod. Remember, Sark got hired because they went 0-12 with Locker.

locker was injured most of the season. i don't see sark starting a true freshman over a senior with locker's talent whose been in the system. keep in mind sark has never even started a rs freshman at sc.

 

[utmba93]

If Sark likes him better than Locker, then he would get the nod. Remember, Sark got hired because they went 0-12 with Locker.

If it was my decision, that takes a lot of emotion to overcome the facts that are the state of the UW program. How do you lose all of them by a combined score of 463-159?

Interestingly, in Heaps case, BYU was only one point better. So, that would have to be a faith-based decision. Emotion and faith... UW and BYU.

If he gets rational, we're in the thick of it, and so is Cal, who offers a nice balance of his priorities.

 

[utmba93]

i don't think he's going to cal. the coaching staff either likes austin hinder (or scroogins) a lot better or is getting the impression heaps isn't interested. edit: all i'm hearing is how hinder has unlimited upside, how he will be the best qb tedford has ever recruited, and how he will blow up his senior year. the staff seems to be going all in with hinder.

It sounds like Heaps needs to sort his thoughts out and let them be known.

 

[SpringBokVol]

I dont see how you can read this and not feel like he is a heavy Vols lean right now

After reading all of those and trying to get everything out of them that I could, it's:

1. UW - hometown and is a fan
2. UT - early playing time, loves staff, NFL
3. BYU - church, playing time, coaches
4. CAL - education, coaches
5. LSU - no way he goes there - he probably cuts them - too much competition at QB.

And if he is making his decision in June, I don't see any reason he doesn't pick UW.

 

[droski]

I think it's between UT and UW. i originally though he was giving UW the token hometown interest, but sark is really making some serious waves recruiting and i'm sure he's pitching heaps that he can lead the turnaround. i just don't see a player of that caliber going to byu.

 

[volguy0992]

I agree. If he is planning on commiting in June I see him going to Udub even though I think he's the best qb in this class. If he took an official here than I say it's to close to call. Recruiting often comes down to where one is more comfortable. For our coaching staff to try to form a better relationship with us than his hometown favorite team growing up will be almost mission impossible. Although stranger things have happened.