Deseret News | It's fun but too early for BYU fans to celebrate

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Mike Sorensen: It's fun but too early for BYU fans to celebrate

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Re anonymous | 12:12 p.m. June 8, 2009

two sentences for ya.

First sentence:
Three years, 32 wins.

Second sentence:
Gary Crowton.

Consider.

To re:Never too soon | 12:18 p.m. June 8, 2009

I laughed so hard I nearly knocked my Alex Smith poster off my wall. Really... who cares how many # draft picks you have?

Lifelong Ute | 12:19 p.m. June 8, 2009

As much as I hate to admit it, I have to give credit to tds for landing these three, all of which should have an impact on the field.

It's true that we can beat tds in in-state recruiting, but just can't land the big fish. But Whitt still beats Bronkey in golf! At least we have that!

Comments continue below

PoePot | 12:29 p.m. June 8, 2009

Ah, expectations: QBs and chosen ones.

Never hurts to get a good recruit, even if the majority of them don't pan out. I'm cautiously optimistic about Heaps.

Haven't heard about Bryce being LDS. He definitely has confidence, as his goals are to Be in the Hall of Fame, definitely. Play in pinstripes. Be considered the greatest baseball player who ever lived. I cant wait.

Too bad he wants to play for the Yanks. People are split on him anyway, check Newsy for a video and media coverage of his media coverage! Though he does appear to have a sweet swing.

Nice but... | 12:34 p.m. June 8, 2009

These are very nice recuits for the Cougs. The QB is nice, but when has that position ever been a real issue for BYU? They always have capable QB play. He might turn out slightly better than Beck or Hall, but not much.

If Bronco was smart he'd do what Kyle does. Take the WR who has good size and turn him into the next Sean Smith. It sounds like that was the idea Texas was toying with before he left them.

BYU will always have a good offense. If Bronco can turn around the D with this LB and moving the WR to DB, he could follow in Kyle's footsteps, and into a BCS game.

Good day for the Cougs, from a Ute fan.

anonymous | 12:38 p.m. June 8, 2009

you all miss the point, author included. why is everyone so exited to land a targeted top recruit- anyone remember manti teo, stanley havili, ngata, plus all the other top mormon recruits that have been shunning the y so recently?

BYU PDX | 1:02 p.m. June 8, 2009

I personally enjoyed the perspective on top rated QB's. I too would rather have the top rated guy and take my chances, but any fan knws that heart, determination, luck etc are all variables that determine the ultimate success of a player and scout.com and the other rating services rarely look at those non-measurable variables.

Just Wondering @ 10:11,12:04 | 1:14 p.m. June 8, 2009

Teams recruit for what kind of schemes they run. There is no need for Whit to offer Heaps because he's more of a pocket passer then dual threat. He doesn't fit what the Utes run. You can't honestly say that the fact Heaps grew up LDS, parents graduated from BYU, and his favorite team growing up was/is the Cougs, he wasn't going to attend the school. Its a big get for the Cougs. As for the other 2, I think Utah offered Apo, who wouldn't he's a freak, but he seems more like #1 option type. He wants his catches and stats, he can get that at BYU. The Utes offense spreads the ball around to much to get huge numbers. As for the LB, again not what the Utes are looking for in a LB. They shoot for smaller, faster types for inside. Just schemes I guess.

Football fan | 1:16 p.m. June 8, 2009

Thanks for the good article! I had been wondering, but not enough to search on my own, what the success of these so called top ranked recruits had been. BYU is lucky to get him, but Bronco is not the QB coach that Lavell was. Bronco has proven he knows how to use the media. It seems like last year it was all about winning the instate recruiting wars. That one didn't make his team any better either. Maybe it's time for people to get excited about finding a new coach.

It may too early to celebrate | 1:28 p.m. June 8, 2009

victories, but it certainly isn't too early to celebrate the Cougs dominance in the recuiting arena over the lowly utes. As any coach will tell you, the bottom line in winning is recruiting. Combine Bronco's emphasis in team work and attitude with great talent, only good things will follow. Comparing the Olsen situation with Heaps is at best sour grapes by ute fans. It would worth remembering who the coach at that time was and the subsequent disarray the program was in while Olsen was on his mission. It is hard to imagine Bronco losing control of the program as Crowton did. And even if the Cougs don't go flawless, they'll be good enough to keep recruits from bolting while on missions.

Nice try ute fans, but the future looks so bright, "I'm going to need shades!!!"

DieHardCougar | 1:39 p.m. June 8, 2009

"Maybe it's time for people to get excited about finding a new coach."
Are you serious? Bronco needs to be fired? HAHAHA. I thought I'd heard heard everything there was to hear related to this recruiting hay-day BYU had last week. Guess I was wrong.

ProudRedUtahAlum | 1:42 p.m. June 8, 2009

It may too early to celebrate | 1:28 p.m. June 8, 2009
Nice try ute fans, but the future looks so bright, "I'm going to need shades!!!"
---
Do you mean 'shades' or 'blinders'? Just curious...

PAUL CARTER | 1:52 p.m. June 8, 2009

Does it really matter if pans out or not? He has created a great deal of good will and brought some great players with him. Wether he pans out on the feild or not he has already been a sucess at BYU.

MIKE THE GUY :) | 1:57 p.m. June 8, 2009

Hi Everyone! I love everyone, BYU and Utah! they are nice and should try working together for a common goal!! :)

Go Utes!!! | 2:08 p.m. June 8, 2009

I love the Utes. But respect BYU as well. It is GOOD for the Utes for BYU to do well. And vice-versa. Wouldn't it be great to see them both undefeated when they play? You couldn't ask for a better recruiting tool for BOTH teams.

Ignore them..... | 2:20 p.m. June 8, 2009

BYU Fans, guys like Ernest T. Bass and other Ute fans comment on every single BYU article they can find to try and get a rise out of Cougar Nation. Just ignore them, if they have so much time on their hands to post on every single BYU article they can find, well, you'll never win, go live your life and be happy that BYU landed a blue-chipper. Whether or not he pans out, well, only time will tell, but enjoy the moment and don't let some Ute Internet trolls (losers) ruin your day.

Osgrath | 2:25 p.m. June 8, 2009

I have to agree with Mike the Guy: If the Utes do well, I win, because they represent me as a resident of Utah. If the Cougars do well, I win, because they represent my faith. Other than the one time per year that they meet on the gridiron, I have no need to choose. If they finished 1 - 2 in the BCS, I would be ecstatic, regardless of which was one and which was two.

However, I do have to question the judgment of anyone calling for Bronco Mendenhall's head. One a short term basis, are you aware of the difference between the past four years and the years 2001-2003? The win/loss record jumps out, but morale and unity and effort are very noticeably improved since Bronco came on. If you want to compare him to Lavel, you might need to talk to someone who was around for the era. I have closely followed this team since the early 60s, and with the exception of 1984 and 1996, we almost always went away disappointed. That did not discourage us from being avid fans, but the bowl games in the 70s were embarrassing. Bronco is just fine.

Sorenson | 2:44 p.m. June 8, 2009

nd the utes are lame!

dumb | 3:32 p.m. June 8, 2009

This is a dumb artical.

Benson | 5:02 p.m. June 8, 2009

If you were a betting man, which those at BYU aren't I'm sure, would you bet on taking a 5 Star QB or a 3 Star QB? Just out of curiosity. Floriday, Oklahoma and those high quality teams. Look at most of their recruiting lists and you'll see a lot of 4 and 5 stars. I guess maybe it is worth getting excited about.

Biffo | 5:32 p.m. June 8, 2009

Who'd want to be a Ute when you could be a Cougar? This was great recruiting by the Cougar coaches and gets all of us that love the Cougs excited.

Utes think more about BYU than their own team. BYU fans are totally indifferent to the U. Whereas they obsess, we ignore. They are just plain jealous of BYU and for good reason.

Sorenson + U not Y | 5:54 p.m. June 8, 2009

Consider the source. Mike Sorenson is the Utah biased writer for the DNEWS. Sorry but you cannot consider what he says without accepting his bias against BYU. Heck if my son played for Utah I would be the same way.

Utah is in a much better recruiting position than BYU. Their players do not need to be LDS or live by an honor code. Huge advantage. They also do not have to meet the academic level of BYU. But they did not deliver on these kids for whatever reason. They did not even make the final cut. And believe me, Utah would have loved to have got these athletes and would have had just as many if not more bells and whistles than you saw in Provo. Next year could be scary in football and basketball.
Once again, Utah has an easier schedule than BYU in Football but may not do as well.

Having said all this, this is huge for BYU even if they don't play for 3 years or ever for that matter. They got quality kids that the big schools wanted. Heaps did a great recruiting job amongst his peers.

re: Sorenson+U not Y | 6:02 p.m. June 8, 2009

And can you just imagine the love fest that would have gone on with the Utah media (Sorenson in particular) had these players signed with the Utes?

yewt sour grapes | 6:07 p.m. June 8, 2009

ok yewt fans need to remember that byu beat u two out of three times last three years and this years game is in provo. in 2010 you will witness number four out of five at home, oh thatll be heaps cellebrating on your field

K-Dog | 6:24 p.m. June 8, 2009

Mike, thanks for the dose of reality. I know it's hard for BYU fans to take. But all this slobbering is over a 17 year kid with, according to ESPN, average arm strength, undersized at 6', and limited upside potential. Recruiting is a crap shoot. I predict that in about three years he will be as good as Max Hall. Which is pretty good.

Edward | 7:10 p.m. June 8, 2009

Mike -

With all due respect, raw statistics about the lack of success of top ranked HS quarterbacks can't possibly capture the the impact that Jake Heap's heart, talent, leadership and integrity will have on BYU's football program.

Jake's decision is about far more than just football. This young is man mature beyond his years. He passed over more glamorous programs so he could support and advance the mission of BYU. Jake's press conference was designed, from beginning to end, to highlight the mission and purpose of BYU.

Jake WILL win national championships(yes, I said championships) at BYU because his goals are not focused on own recognition and advancement, but the advancement of a purpose and cause much greater than himself.

That greater purpose is the motivation from which his greatness, and that of BYU, will flow.

to just wonderig | 7:19 p.m. June 8, 2009

top lds athletes dont consider the u for the same reason they only consider the y then commit to bcs teams. the y and the u are non bcs teams. thats why this commit is so big for the y. and no teo is not an exceptions droves of out of state lds recruits have courted byu and dumped them for prettier usc or notre dame or who have you. do the research

okay?... | 7:49 p.m. June 8, 2009

If Utah got the #1 recruit (which they didn't) you'd be praising them and saying how great Utah is going to be. As a Ute fan I've enjoyed the bias support, but I'm raving mad and offended that those 2 kids signed with BYU on my turf in salt lake

KJT | 8:34 p.m. June 8, 2009

Does anyone REALLY think this kid will actually sign with byu if Pete Carroll comes knocking?

let's be real | 8:38 p.m. June 8, 2009

So what, was BYU supposed to try to recruit low-rated quarterbacks then? You've got to admit, criticizing a team for landing a big recruit sounds pretty ridiculous. Whether he pans out or not, he was a guy that Oklahoma, LSU, Alabama, etc all wanted. I highly doubt if he signed there that these criticisms would be occurring. Let's face it, nothing's proven until he hits the field but if he is a mistake BYU wasn't the only team that made it. If Utah could have gotten him they would have pursued him too. And continually flopping down the stretch? It's funny how one year changes perspective. The two years previous BYU won their last 10 games. Yeah, that's definitely a team that consistently falls apart at the end of the year... keep it in perspective. BYU choked last year, but it isn't as if it's the calling card of their program.

Slugger | 8:48 p.m. June 8, 2009

This kid is brilliant. Seriously. Calling a press conference, with two other top recruits flanking him, was as big an invitation and motivator to other top recruits as you can get. He's like a young CEO, building a corporation around him, setting himself up to succeed. The Utes have enjoyed some long-awaited success recently but if crimson...er, red...er, maroon...er, what color is it really?...anyway, Ute fans better not take this lightly. BYU still has the facilities, the fan base, the history and the coaching, all the need are some blue-chip recruits and they just landed three in one swipe of a cougar's paw. If you don't think this kid is good, watch his highlights on youtube, impressive. What blue-chip WR wouldn't want to run routes for him? What blue-chip RB wouldn't want him tossing the ball and keeping the defense honest? What blue-chip defender wouldn't want to force turnovers and get this kid back on the field to work his magic? No guarantees, it could be a bust but it could also push BYU back into the championship picture...not just a BCS game.

thank u utes | 9:01 p.m. June 8, 2009

caroll will come a knockin. good thing for byu they can laugh and say look what the team up north proved can be accomplished in a non bcs confrence... oh the irony, utah securing three blue chippers for byu

TED | 9:27 p.m. June 8, 2009

Bet ya that Utah will not beat BYU again in football for eight to ten years.

I give 20-1 odds!

Utahs hay day is over!

Laughing ProudRedUtahAlum | 9:29 p.m. June 8, 2009

Slugger | 8:48 p.m. June 8, 2009:
...No guarantees, it could be a bust but it could also push BYU back into the championship picture...not just a BCS game.
---
This is the funniest thing I have read on this post. Don't you think the zoobs should also get some players that can help keep the opponent from scoring before they put the crystal football in their trophey case? Try winning your bowl games and OOC ranked team games and then maybe you can talk about coming in second or third in the MWC.

This article is lame | 9:47 p.m. June 8, 2009

As a Cougar fan, im not suppose to be excited? get real Sorensen. Just the simple fact that byu brought in a 5 star recruit #1 rated QB should get everyone excited. I know he hasnt played a down of college football and probably wont for another 2 to 3 years down the road, but what he will do now is influence other top recruits to come to byu. His impact will be felt off the field as well as on.

Now onto Heaps as a qb on the field, in case you havent seen his highlights, there are plenty of reasons to be excited about Heaps. Kid is smart with football, very poised in the pocket, can make all the throws and makes plays with pressure in his face. Not too mention the kid is a leader and has lead his team to a 28-0 record and back-to-back championships. Now I realize he has yet to play a down of college football and will still have to prove himself at the next level, but come on Sorensen your going to tell us were not suppose to be excited at all? get real.

Edward | 10:53 p.m. June 8, 2009

In fact, there is not another non-BCS program that could attract a player with the maturity, integrity and the athletic and leadership skills of Jake Heaps.

In reality, Utah and all other non-BCS teams should be as trilled as we are that Jake chose BYU.

Jake will capture the attention of the nation and place it squarely on a non-BCS team, thus exposing for all to see the inequity and the hypocrisy of the BCS.

Multiple national championships won by Jake and the BYU Cougars will render the BCS an irrelevant and sad relic of major college football.

MWC Guy | 10:59 p.m. June 8, 2009

Ryan Perrilloux was the Most Valuable Player in the Southeast Conference Championship game, I don't know if I would consider that a bust. Unfortuantely, he can't follow team rules and was kicked off the team (rare that a star gets booted).

Also, regarding the Vegas kid on the SI cover...I don't know if he is LDS or not, but I certainly don't think any other faiths have an early morning religous study program everyday before school (high school starts at 7:10 AM here in Las Vegas so early morning seminary starts at 5:50 AM). In addition, there have been several LDS players that attended and played for Bishop Gorman High School, including BYU's Jonathan Tavernari who graduated from Gorman after leading their basketball team to the state finals.

Anonymous | 11:26 p.m. June 8, 2009

Hey DN, what is a Utah writer doing writing about BYU?

Utes | 2:18 a.m. June 9, 2009

Be afraid, be very afraid!

Football Fan, not necesarily BYU | 4:43 a.m. June 9, 2009

I got home from the Seattle mission (Skyline High is in the mission) about 5 months ago, so I heard a lot of hype about Jake, but never got to see him play. Youtube him, for real! He's got a lot of stuff that he has to fine tune that works in high school but not college, but he's still amazing! Doesn't have the best footwork, but he has uncoachable abilities of escaping pressure. His team is built around skill players and the O-Line does not look good, but he makes it work. In college he can't rely on the corners and safeties to bite on his pump fakes like in high school, so that will limit some of his passes, but he still makes great reads. If BYU can somehow land Kasen Williams (#3), his wide-out, it would be a great package deal because they have so much chemistry playing together. Williams is a year younger, so he has potential to be moving into starting rotation right about the same time Heaps would.

Sj Bobkins | 4:51 a.m. June 9, 2009

I don't think Cougar fans need to have your permission to celebrate. Dumb article, bordering on the obvious. If the three kids don't turn out, and I know you and yutz fans are salivating to bring up Ben Olsen, then they don't but the money is on tremendous careers. His name (Benny Boy) has been mentioned in every piece I've read about this weekend's news. If 28 of the best and biggest programs (and those are only the ones Jake had interest in) in the country wanted Jake Heaps and considered him the very best in high school football, by virtue of his every performance in competitive camps, that's good enough for me. He will bring a great personality and unworldly skills to Provo, and I along with the entire world-wide Cougar-Nation are thrilled. We don't need you or the jealous yutz fans to rain on our parade. Ever wonder why the Coug haters always have the same name "anonymous". I use my "real" name and I'm proud of it and more than happy to stand behind what I say.

Top QB's | 5:12 a.m. June 9, 2009

College isn't anything like the pros anyway. Landing a top-rated recruit in almost any case (except Marcus Vick) is always a good thing for the school, whether he turns out to be a star or a flop. Thus, the point of this article is ridiculous. Even if Heaps never sets foot on the field, the school spent a scholarship, not a number one draft pick. They didn't blow millions of dollars drafting Ryan Leaf. They invested money in someone attending school that has contributed to the school through tithing his whole life and will continue to do so as well as direct school donations once his education has paid off.

What is the big deal? | 6:39 a.m. June 9, 2009

Let Cougar fans celebrate.
Let them brag.
Let them hope.

That's all they have.

geezer | 8:06 a.m. June 9, 2009

RE: Ted

Ted's being his sarcastic, cynical self. Before BYU or angry Ute posters comment on his post, please be aware he doesn't believe one word of his own post. (This will make life very difficult for Ted when a small portion of his prediction comes true this fall)

TrueRed | 8:14 a.m. June 9, 2009

For Sj and the rest of his buddies------------the next thing we will hear is that Heaps is bringing a new set of "plates" or "tablets" with new terms of guidance for the flock?! Investments?? tithing??
Donations?? When does lack of reality stop?!

It does not take much for the clan to think they have another revelation of the future!!! LOL LOL

Edward | 8:24 a.m. June 9, 2009

Edward = Heap's publicist

National Championships? Please. This kid may turn out to be very good, maybe slightly better than Beck and Hall. And that still won't change the fact that UNLV & CSU will run all over your secondary who is slow and unathletic.

Try getting to a BCS game, or maybe winning the Vegas Bowl consistently, before you run your mouth about a NC.

Remember, you're still 2 BCS berths and victories behind the Utes. Baby steps Edward, baby steps.

KCFan | 9:13 a.m. June 9, 2009

That is an awful, awful headline. BYU fans SHOULD be celebrating! You can write until your pen is out of ink and recruiting will still be a very big deal. And landing the nation's top prospect hugely benefits the program.

Anonymous | 9:14 a.m. June 9, 2009

this is the most ridiculous article. Sorenson what gives? Which fan base across the country wouldn't celebrate right now with a pick up like Heaps? Please there's not one team that would get this excited. Your just trying to downplay what the Cougs did. High five to the Cougs, thumbs down to your article.

Logical ProudRedUtahAlum | 9:58 a.m. June 9, 2009

BYU should thank the Utes for helping them land Heaps. The Utes have set a new standard for non-BCS teams with their multiple BCS bowl victories over the last 5 seasons, helping to elevate the MWC as a power conference. Also, Heaps wouldn't have fit in the Ute offense model. He is more of a pocket passer and the Utes want quartbacks that can pass and run. So, as a representative of the Utes, I would like say "BYU, you're welcome".

(How is that for BYU logic?)

RE: Just a request for fairness | 10:02 a.m. June 9, 2009

I think many Ute fans are responding that Coug fans need to settle down because of all the "National Championship" talk by a 17 year old HS junior. You never hear Ute fans claim that their good recruiting class is going to bring them a NC.

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