'10 WA QB Jake Heaps

[TENNaciousUTfan]

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 in June, I don't see any reason he doesn't pick UW.

I don't buy the Hometown thing, when an NFL career is on the line. Kiffin holds all the NFL cards here, IMHO...plus, we got Orgeron...the closer :dance2:

I believe the distance issue was just a polite excuse for Nunes to use AFTER he saw this team going in the tank and the ugliness of having our QB boo'ed at home. Prior to that, he was our best recruiter. You can't tell me he hadn't considered distance BEFORE he committed to us.

 

[utmba93]

I think it's between UT and UW. i orginally 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.

What does that look like at an 0-12 program?

Year 1) Win 4
Year 2) Play 500 ball
Year 3) Win 8
Year 4 and beyond) Lose to USC, among others, annually; no championships in the works

If I was Heaps and going to UW, I wouldn't want to start as a Freshman. I'd be fine without the toll that will take on a QB's body.

 

[volguy0992]

Dude that's like the number one football recruit in our state from like a smaller town in east tennessee. I know the difference between the programs and everything but most people here have been UT fans their whole life. That's the way Heaps feels about Udub. Now I know that there is a decent chance he still comes to UT but when it's all said and done, in his heart, he wants to play down there. And trust me, in June I would love to eat my words and have him as a vol because I think he is a born leader and the best qb in the class.

 

[utmba93]

Dude that's like the number one football recruit in our state from like a smaller town in east tennessee. I know the difference between the programs and everything but most people here have been UT fans their whole life. That's the way Heaps feels about Udub. Now I know that there is a decent chance he still comes to UT but when it's all said and done, in his heart, he wants to play down there. And trust me, in June I would love to eat my words and have him as a vol because I think he is a born leader and the best qb in the class.

When was the last time UT went 0-12? Heaps saw one good season from UW over the course of his lifetime. That's it. He was too young for the 1990 and 1991 seasons (edit: or was he even born)?

 

[SpringBokVol]

I don't buy the Hometown thing, when an NFL career is on the line. Kiffin holds all the NFL cards here, IMHO...plus, we got Orgeron. :dance2:

The thing that scares me is if I put myself and that position. So let's put ourselves in his shoes:

Lets say I am a 5 star QB from Maryville who grew up a huge UT fan and is being recruited by UT and UW. UW has the better staff and a lot of potential for getting to the NFL. But I always dreamed of playing for UT. Now they have a new coach who knows how to run a pro-style offense and I have the chance to lead UT back to prominence. And if I stay at UT my parents and friends will all be around and my teammate from HS will join me next year. And the simple fact is if he puts up great numbers wherever he goes the NFL will be waiting.

Okay, so after doing that I really think it is a no brainer. He is going to UW.

 

[droski]

What does that look like at an 0-12 program?

Year 1) Win 4
Year 2) Play 500 ball
Year 3) Win 8
Year 4 and beyond) Lose to USC, among others, annually; no championships in the works

If I was Heaps and going to UW, I wouldn't want to start as a Freshman. I'd be fine without the toll that will take on a QB's body.

you have to realize that people in the pacific northwest are among the most delusional football fans in the country. every UW fan i know (and oregon fan too) is under the belief that UW is a sleeping giant and will one day go back to national prominance with the right coach. personally i think that's ridiculous and ignoring things like demographics and the rise of Cal, SC, and Oregon in the past 10 years. but if heaps really is a lifelong UW fan, it's entirely possible he might too be under this delusion.

 

[volguy0992]

That is true and that is why he is heavily considered us because we are a known power in the football world. however, now this is just my opinion and I hope he comes here, that his favorite school growing up will be too much to overcome. I love UT but most of what I remember of UT football (I'm sixteen and other than the championship) is disappointment. It is dissappointment on a higher level (such as losing in a sec championship game instead of going winless) but yet still dissappointment, yet if I were a big time qb I would pick UT no brainer and not even consider anyone else.

 

[volguy0992]

I agree with you springbok but I just really wish he would come here.

 

[utmba93]

you have to realize that people in the pacific northwest are among the most delusional football fans in the country. every UW fan i know (and oregon fan too) is under the belief that UW is a sleeping giant and will one day go back to national prominance with the right coach. personally i think that's ridiculous and ignoring things like demographics and the rise of Cal, SC, and Oregon in the past 10 years. but if heaps really is a lifelong UW fan, it's entirely possible he might too be under this delusion.

Having met Wheaton (Oregon) here, I could see that. And, Oregon does have something to stand on.

But, man, making a case for UW returning to national prominence is really out there. I don't think Bear Bryant or Vince Lombardi would stand a chance, but I guess we'll have to wait and see what Sark can do.

 

[droski]

Having met Wheaton (Oregon) here, I could see that. And, Oregon does have something to stand on.

But, man, making a case for UW returning to national prominence is really out there. I don't think Bear Bryant or Vince Lombardi would stand a chance, but I guess we'll have to wait and see what Sark can do.

personally i can buy the UW argument far more than the oregon argument. UW has tradition, a huge fanbase, and is in a great city. oregon is in the middle of nowhere, has a very fickle fanbase, and the state of oregon produces almost zero div 1a recruits. but what the UW people ignore is that USC was in the toilet when they were great. UW used to regurally take recruits from southern california. that wont happen with SC and Cal (and ucla) going strong.

but my friend who is very tuned in with hte cal staff does truly believe that heaps is no diehard fan and thinks that sark and family pressure is the only way he ends up at UW.

 

[utmba93]

That is true and that is why he is heavily considered us because we are a known power in the football world. however, now this is just my opinion and I hope he comes here, that his favorite school growing up will be too much to overcome. I love UT but most of what I remember of UT football (I'm sixteen and other than the championship) is disappointment. It is dissappointment on a higher level (such as losing in a sec championship game instead of going winless) but yet still dissappointment, yet if I were a big time qb I would pick UT no brainer and not even consider anyone else.

And, if you grew up in Nashville, you'd pick Vandy... no brainer, right?

UT has loyalty because it has a long-standing winning tradition. Take the winning tradition away and fans should be less passionate about the team. Yet, as Droski noted, Heaps could simply be delusional.

 

[TENNaciousUTfan]

Dude that's like the number one football recruit in our state from like a smaller town in east tennessee. I know the difference between the programs and everything but most people here have been UT fans their whole life. That's the way Heaps feels about Udub. Now I know that there is a decent chance he still comes to UT but when it's all said and done, in his heart, he wants to play down there. And trust me, in June I would love to eat my words and have him as a vol because I think he is a born leader and the best qb in the class.

That's like saying someone in NY would rather play for the hapless SU Orangemen than a team that's a legitimate NC contender most years...just so they can play close to home.
It's one thing for a CA, GA, FL, AL, or Louisiana kid to desire to stay close to home, but not when your home team has been in dire straits year after year

 

[utmba93]

personally i can buy the UW argument far more than the oregon argument. UW has tradition, a huge fanbase, and is in a great city. oregon is in the middle of nowhere, has a very fickle fanbase, and the state of oregon produces almost zero div 1a recruits. but what the UW people ignore is that USC was in the toilet when they were great. UW used to regurally take recruits from southern california. that wont happen with SC and Cal (and ucla) going strong.

but my friend who is very tuned in with hte cal staff does truly believe that heaps is no diehard fan and thinks that sark and family pressure is the only way he ends up at UW.

Accessibility has to work against us with Heaps and his family's desire to see the games in person. The Knoxville airport isn't the easiest target and can be expensive, imo.

But, almost every UT game is televised and ESPN gameplan covers about every game that's not picked up elsewhere. On the other hand, if they saved money for college, they might as well use it for travel as the kid will not need it.

 

[TENNaciousUTfan]

The thing that scares me is if I put myself and that position. So let's put ourselves in his shoes:

Lets say I am a 5 star QB from Maryville who grew up a huge UT fan and is being recruited by UT and UW. UW has the better staff and a lot of potential for getting to the NFL. But I always dreamed of playing for UT. Now they have a new coach who knows how to run a pro-style offense and I have the chance to lead UT back to prominence. And if I stay at UT my parents and friends will all be around and my teammate from HS will join me next year. And the simple fact is if he puts up great numbers wherever he goes the NFL will be waiting.

Okay, so after doing that I really think it is a no brainer. He is going to UW.

The problem again with your deduction is that you equate UW with UT...leaving out the winining tradition, national prestige, and second-to-none facilities, and NFL heavy staff UT holds over UW.
If they were on equal terms, that's one thing...but they aren't. One reason why the UW HC job wasn't a coveted one.

 

[jwells]

Accessibility has to work against us with Heaps and his family's desire to see the games in person. The Knoxville airport isn't the easiest target and can be expensive, imo.

But, almost every UT game is televised and ESPN gameplan covers about every game that's not picked up elsewhere. On the other hand, if they saved money for college, they might as well use it for travel as the kid will not need it.

And if he's as good as he's supposed to be, it's not like they won't see that money again.

 

[volguy0992]

utmba 93- your not thinking in terms of his shoes. I love your passion but put yourself in his shoes and pretend Tennessee was really never as good as washington and Udubs fanbase was bigger. If you were a true UT fan you would stay loyal to your school. I love your support and passion and going by your username your close to my age. Even though there is a decent chance he goes to UT if he is a true fan, which most people seem to think, then he goes to Washington no questions asked. I think we will really make him think and our recruiting staff is one of, if not the best. But in the end unfortunately he goes to Udub.

 

[utmba93]

And if he's as good as he's supposed to be, it's not like they won't see that money again.

Exactly. I'm thinking any reasonable banker would take a risk on this kid's future, if a loan was needed to cover short term expenses.

 

[TENNaciousUTfan]

Accessibility has to work against us with Heaps and his family's desire to see the games in person. The Knoxville airport isn't the easiest target and can be expensive, imo.

But, almost every UT game is televised and ESPN gameplan covers about every game that's not picked up elsewhere. On the other hand, if they saved money for college, they might as well use it for travel as the kid will not need it.

Plus, the kid and his family can daily teleconference with a webcam and MSN Messenger, Yahoo, Skype, ...cellphone cameras, etc. It's not like 10-15yrs ago or longer when you didn't have these things available. They can watch him grow up and come see him at least a few games each year.

 

[volguy0992]

tennacious again put yourself in his shoes. If UT and UW switched the entire history fanbase coaching staff and facilities. If your were a true UT fan and a top tier recruited qb then you would still pick UT.

 

[utmba93]

utmba 93- your not thinking in terms of his shoes. I love your passion but put yourself in his shoes and pretend Tennessee was really never as good as washington and Udubs fanbase was bigger. If you were a true UT fan you would stay loyal to your school. I love your support and passion and going by your username your close to my age. Even though there is a decent chance he goes to UT if he is a true fan, which most people seem to think, then he goes to Washington no questions asked. I think we will really make him think and our recruiting staff is one of, if not the best. But in the end unfortunately he goes to Udub.

I'm doing my best to consider it from his perspective.

This is a career decision and thus should be a rationale one. It's not based on his passion or mine.

Btw... my username is for My Best Aathlete #93 (it was the X-man, now superstud Frosh Montori Hughes has taken it from a backup kicker and will restore dignity to my moniker).

 

[vols5790]

I thought Heaps would be the top pro style qb in this class, but he is 8th. If he goes to UW, so what, Scroggins or maybe that Hinder kid from CO can get make us a Nat Title contender in 3 years, where UW better just try to win the Apple Cup or just one game.

 

[volguy0992]

Sorry about confusion of the username. It is not a career decision. It's about his college. If he was good enough it wouldn't matter where he plays his college ball. All you have to do to get drafted high is have a good combine basically. You've seen people like freeman who did nothing in college with a no good team and still got first round money and will likely be the face in a couple years of that team. It is obviously a rational decision to go to where you want to go, not just business. I will pick my college not for business but for where I want to go. I know he is a recruit and I'm not but still. He is a kid and will go to where he feels most comfortable.

 

[utmba93]

tennacious again put yourself in his shoes. If UT and UW switched the entire history fanbase coaching staff and facilities. If your were a true UT fan and a top tier recruited qb then you would still pick UT.

That's totally wrong. I would not choose UT over all other options without deliberation. It has nothing to do with whether I am a 'true fan.'

This is about the kid's future.

Let's just say Sark is wrong (Kiffin was right in not being interested in UW because the turnaround it too difficult). This kid could go there and get lost in the college shuffle. Becoming an NFL QB is one helluva challenging goal. Any prospect who has a chance to do so, but decides based on emotion, won't make it (edit: unless the emotional choice offered enough rational value... e.g.; preparation to play in the NFL).

3-5 seconds... figure out the D, know where everyone is on the O, and decide. It's a job that requires good, quick reasoning skills (above and beyond super talent).

 

[jonstaples]

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 got hurt early in the year last year. They played 8+ games with a freshman named Ronnie Fouch at QB.

 

[volguy0992]

and vol5790 you can't just go by rivals rankings or any recruiting database. You go by coaches evaluations. Plus the fact that there isn't (arguably) a qb in the country with as impressive an offer list (I do take into account that he did have his video out really early and got noticed earlier but his list will still be more impressive than most if not all other qbs)