Miami transfer QB Jake Heaps: 'I didn't come here to be a backup'
Jake Heaps transferred to Miami for his final season of eligibility, and he's determined not to let it go to waste. In a teleconference with Miami media Monday, Heaps said that it's "absolutely vital" he wins the starting quarterback job, according to the Miami Herald.
The 23-year-old Heaps started his career at BYU, where he completed 57.2 percent of his passes for 2,316 yards and 15 touchdowns his freshman year. After losing his starting position the next season, Heaps transferred to Kansas and sat out the 2012 season. Last year for the Jayhawks, Heaps completed just 49 percent of his passes and threw eight touchdowns against 10 interceptions. He then transferred to Miami for his final year of eligibility.
"I didn’t come here to be the backup," Heaps said in the teleconference. "I made this decision for a reason. I came here to play, but you have to earn that. No one is going to give that to you, and that’s what I knew coming into this situation and that’s what I wanted."
Heaps steps into an uncertain QB situation for the Hurricanes. Ryan Williams, the team's presumed starter, tore his ACL in a spring scrimmage and is out indefinitely. Heaps will compete with redshirt freshman Kevin Olsen and true freshmen Malik Rosier and Brad Kaaya for the starting spot.
Miami went 9-4 last season, finishing tied for second in the ACC Coastal division.
- Alex Hampl
