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PROVO -- With spring football practice in full swing at BYU, fans are hungry for any hint on who is going to be the next starting quarterback. James Lark, Riley Nelson and Jake Heaps are fighting for that spot, and the coaches have shared high praise on each of the talented quarterbacks.
The players, however, are starting to see one player emerge. Senior Brian Logan, who received Sports Illustrated All-American honorable mention recognition as a junior, has defended against each of the quarterbacks so far in spring practice, and he said Heaps is starting to separate himself from the pack.
"I'm really impressed with Jake and his arm, accuracy and just his decision making," Logan said. "Now I understand why he was the No. 1 quarterback coming out (of high school). And it shows. I'm just excited he's on our team."
Pretty high praise from a defensive back who has defended the likes of TCU's Andy Dalton, NFL prospects Sean Canfield (Oregon State), Sam Bradford (Oklahoma) and his former teammate, Max Hall.
So what is it that is so impressive about the true freshman?
"I think just his poise," Logan said. "He doesn't seem like a freshman at all. He seems 10 steps above the game, maybe that he's a junior or a senior. He doesn't carry himself like he's a freshman, and I think that's what makes him stand out."
Logan said the team is a lot like the media and fans, watching the battle and eager to see who will be able to win the job. As for a prediction on who will eventually be named the starter, Logan tried to stay diplomatic.
"I'm not too sure yet, but I would just say that Jake stands out to me the most," Logan said. "I think his poise and his attitude make him stand out."
BYU Head Coach Bronco Mendenhall has said he probably won't name a starter until the end of fall camp. Whoever is eventually named as the starter, he will have some pretty big shoes to fill. Hall, a three year starter for the Cougars, is the all-time leader in wins as a BYU quarterback and spent much of his last two seasons as a Heisman Trophy candidate.
Quarterbacks Coach Brandon Doman said with the talent level of the players competing to replace Hall he anticipates the quarterback position to be a team strength.
"I'm really pleased with their progress," Doman said. "I don't know that we've had this much talent combined as a group for a while."
The former BYU quarterback said he has also been impressed with Heaps.
"Jake is just a young phenom. He's got a long way to go to be a college quarterback," Doman said. "But just to be able to come out in this environment and be as successful as he's been is really unique."
Doman added that the reason Heaps has been so successful in camp is his natural ability to pass the ball.
"He can drop back and launch the ball around the field, which the other two guys can't quite do it the way he does it. But they're still pretty adequate that way," said Doman before noting that the hype surrounding Heaps' recruitment was warranted. "I would say every minute in recruiting was worth it."
Despite the emergence of Heaps, players and coaches have noticed strengths in each of the aspiring quarterbacks. Nelson, who was Hall's backup last season, has impressed with his ability to make plays with his feet.
"He stood out last year when he got in, got a couple of snaps in the wildcat (formation). His running ability and his speed definitely stand out," Logan said.
Although Lark recently returned from his mission, Doman said he has already shown a lot of promise as well.
"He's a lot more calm and comfortable, which is a pretty nice trait. I was not that way," Doman said. "He looks just like you want him to look. (James is) 6-foot-3, 210 to 215 pounds and he's strong. He's probably the strongest quarterback we've had in a long time."
Although everyone wants to know who the starter will be, Doman said finding the starter isn't necessarily his goal for spring camp.
Meanwhile, freshman offensive lineman Famika Anae, who recently returned from an LDS mission, was injured in practice Monday. He updated his Facebook status later that night indicating he had a torn MCL and ACL. He has had ACL surgeries on both knees before.
