Nelson, Heaps, and Lark; which one?


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PROVO -- Being the quarterback at BYU has always been a high profile position but this year the public eye, profile, and pressure seems to have reached a new high.

All three of BYU's quarterbacks saw action in Saturday's 42-7 blowout win over Idaho. Jake Heaps filled in for Riley Nelson after he left in the first quarter with an fractured ribs. Later, when the game was in hand, James Lark made his first appearance of the year. Together they completed 21-of-33 passes for 262 yards and three touchdowns.

Cougar Tracks:

It's widely known that all three of these quarterbacks were star recruits coming out of high school and each one feels capable of leading the Cougars. All three are currently underclassmen and with that comes much speculation about what will happen next.

Talo Steves of Total Blue Sports assesses the possibility of Heaps redshirting next year and how sitting out a year could benefit Heaps' development and the Cougars in the future. Steves spoke with Bronco Mendenhall and Brandon Doman to see what they think will happen from the current situation.

"I certainly believe it's a great opportunity for Jake to learn, watch and grow and develop," Doman said. "You'll have to ask him how he feels about it, but I do believe from my perspective that this is a great opportunity for growth."

Brian Shaw from the Utah Sports Examiner asks many questions regarding Heaps and probes all of the options surrounding the possibility of him transferring. There are many speculative reasons for Heaps to transfer but it should be known that the staff at BYU wants him in Provo.


I certainly believe it's a great opportunity for Jake (Heaps) to learn, watch and grow and develop.

–Brandon Doman


"Now he has a chance to re-surge," Mendenhall said, "and I would expect to see him do it now after seeing him have an increased level of leadership, excitement, execution and to really demonstrate not only to the team but everyone around BYU football to remind them just how capable he really is."

What if Heaps plays well why Nelson is out with his injury? Mendenhall reiterated that Nelson would start as soon as he is healthy again, but Lou Martin from the Bleacher Report laments this fact. No matter how well Heaps plays in Nelson's absence he will still find himself sitting second string next year, if he should stay.

Blue Cougar Football blog agrees that Nelson should start as soon as he is healthy again. Also, Blue Cougar Football analyzes and breaks down who the favorite targets are for each quarterback Not surprisingly, Ross Apo leads BYU receivers in touchdown passes from Heaps and Cody Hoffman leads in touchdown passes from Nelson.

Another article from Talo Steves at Total Blue Sports as he spoke to James Lark about his time at BYU. There are many wondering why he remains in Provo despite being third string and not receiving any reps, and how is he helping the team in his limited role?

"I don't know a lot of guys who are happy with being the third-string quarterback, but I've learned to deal with my role on the team, and I've learned to do the best that I can with whatever they've asked me to do in life. I'm happy."

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Andrew Devey

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