Truth & Rumors > NCAAF

QB to choose BYU over UW

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07:57 AM ET 06.04 | Washington prep star Jake Heaps, who is rated by some recruiting Web sites as the No. 1 quarterback prospect in the country, has chosen BYU and will make the announcement this afternoon, The Salt Lake Tribune has learned.

Salt Lake Tribune

Bronco Mendenhall, Doug Pensinger/Getty Images Bronco Mendenhall, Doug Pensinger/Getty Images
June 4, 2009  08:14 AM ET

Who loses? What other schools were going after the kid hard? Is this one of the locals that UW was counting on to turn their program around?

June 4, 2009  08:22 AM ET

We lost. Lane was going after him pretty hard.

Comment #3 has been removed
June 4, 2009  09:14 AM ET

Sarkisian needs to confer with his old running mate Kiffin on how to do it right

June 4, 2009  09:26 AM ET

It is a smart move for the kid to do since he will be allowed to leave for a 2 year church mission if he decides to go! If he comes back and things have changed he will be allowed to be released from his scholarship and transfer....this is all shaping out to be like the #1 QB Ben Olsen or something like that.....! Best of luck BYU...you all just need some speed (black people)

June 4, 2009  09:33 AM ET

Take solace Husky fans. Your girls won the softball championship. Over UF no less.

June 4, 2009  09:52 AM ET

i understand puting religion first, but these kids really put their futures in jeopardy when they do the two year missions. i've seen it happen many times when a player comes back, they are just a shell of their former self. (athleticly speaking)

June 4, 2009  09:57 AM ET
QUOTE(#1):

Who loses? What other schools were going after the kid hard? Is this one of the locals that UW was counting on to turn their program around?

LSU was recruiting him hard as well... Plus UW was hoping he would replace Locker I am sure...

I agree with A15.. I know I wouldnt do it.. but i guess their faith is stronger than mine

Comment #9 has been removed
June 4, 2009  10:41 AM ET
QUOTE(#9):

Is Jake Heaps a Mormon? Because if not I don't think he has to do the Mission guys. Besides he isn't exactly the first non-Mormon to play at B.Y.U.Jim McMahon for example was a Catholic. He was also vilified while he was there because the punky QB didn't exactly conform to their standards.

I believe he is a Mormon

June 4, 2009  10:44 AM ET
QUOTE(#9):

Is Jake Heaps a Mormon? Because if not I don't think he has to do the Mission guys. Besides he isn't exactly the first non-Mormon to play at B.Y.U.Jim McMahon for example was a Catholic. He was also vilified while he was there because the punky QB didn't exactly conform to their standards.

he is definitely mormon.

June 4, 2009  10:47 AM ET
QUOTE(#5):

Best of luck BYU...you all just need some speed (black people)

Hmmmmm...do you think before you open your keyboard? Might be hard to get your foot out of there.

June 4, 2009  10:48 AM ET

"Is Jake Heaps a Mormon? Because if not I don't think he has to do the Mission guys. Besides he isn't exactly the first non-Mormon to play at B.Y.U."

Yes, he is Mormon/LDS. Whether he opts to do the mission thing is yet to be seen but some sources show he does have interest there. It doesn't always boast well for them on their return (often depends on where they served, how the nutrition was, and how able they are in their environment to keep fit) but I think BYU has been evolving a system to help keep athletes in shape while on their missions. John Beck, current QB Max Hall, star receiver Austin Collie, and recent return missionary WR McKay Jacobsen were able to quickly return to the shape they were in before they left. Sources say McKay Jacobsen is in better shape now after returning from a mish this last winter than Austin Collie was at this same time frame from when he returned. Remember Collie just opted out of his senior year this summer to get drafted by the Colts in the NFL.

Also keep in mind that players are still not required to go on a mish even if they are LDS. They are encouraged, as it is a big opportunity for them interact with other cultures and gives them a big character building experience, but it is still their choice and there are no penalties of any kind at BYU or in the LDS church itself for not doing so. Steve Young is a staunch Mormon, played for BYU and he never served a mission and is still endeared by BYU fans and other Mormons alike.

"Jim McMahon for example was a Catholic. He was also vilified while he was there because the punky QB didn't exactly conform to their standards."

Yes he was, but Y fans still love him for his play on the field, not so much off the field. Steve Sarkisian was also a great QB who was not Mormon and still excelled. He lead the '96 Cougs to a 14-1 record (best record in college football that year) while still being snubbed from a pre-BCS alliance bowl. Ironically their one loss came against the school he's now head coach of, Washington, which was also among the top two schools Heaps was looking at before ultimately picking BYU.

June 4, 2009  10:49 AM ET
QUOTE(#9):

Is Jake Heaps a Mormon? Because if not I don't think he has to do the Mission guys. Besides he isn't exactly the first non-Mormon to play at B.Y.U.Jim McMahon for example was a Catholic. He was also vilified while he was there because the punky QB didn't exactly conform to their standards.

And after all the attention and dollars his presence on campus produced, they made sure the door hit Jim on the arse on his way out.

June 4, 2009  10:53 AM ET

Ironwill...well put, and I remeber that U-Dub BYU game...and I remember last year too...GO DAWGS!

Is the term "mish" used widely? Perhaps it is a bit "inside-Mormon" but I've never heard any of my Mormon friends us this is reference to their mission.

June 4, 2009  10:53 AM ET

Sounds like a good get for BYU. But its a long way until until signing day.

June 4, 2009  11:05 AM ET
QUOTE(#5):

It is a smart move for the kid to do since he will be allowed to leave for a 2 year church mission if he decides to go! If he comes back and things have changed he will be allowed to be released from his scholarship and transfer....this is all shaping out to be like the #1 QB Ben Olsen or something like that.....! Best of luck BYU...you all just need some speed (black people)

Seriously...I can't get over how profoundly we-tawd-ed you sound here. BYU doesn't have enough black atheletes so they are non-cometitive? Not sure what CFB you watch but as a fan of both ND and U-Dub (both of which have long rivalries with BYU), I have much respect for the teams they put on the field. Regardless of the color of their players.

June 4, 2009  11:11 AM ET

damn...bad start today, door's open grammar/spelling nazis...and, byte me.

June 4, 2009  11:20 AM ET

Yes, Terry, I was a kid then but I still remember watching that '96 game, and last year's game was pretty crazy too! Washington put a lot of heart into it and it was sad to see it end the way it did, it will only fuel what looks to be a growing out of conference rivalry between the two teams over the next couple years with the addition of the Heaps recruiting saga, and a couple former BYU players now heading UW's coaching staff, most notably Sark. I do hope and think he'll be able to lead Washington back up to the top of the PAC-10 over the next few years. I wish you all success up there...except when you all play BYU these next few years (2010, 2011, 2012).

 
Comment #20 has been removed

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