As BYU Fall Camp concludes, the topic of conversation amongst fans and media continues to be the quarterback battle. While coaches have been reluctant to give any information on who they will go with as the starter when BYU takes on Navy in 12 days, those who have been watching closely may have a hunch as to who will line up behind center in week one.
“They’re close to naming [a starting quarterback],” Kalani Sitake told reporters during Tuesday’s media availability. “I think the guys have done a pretty good job. I feel really good about four quarterbacks that could play for us right now.”
The four quarterbacks Coach Sitake eluded to are Junior Zach Wilson, Sophomores Baylor Romney and Jaren Hall, and true-freshman Sol-Jay Maiava-Peters. But while Sitake believes that all four signal-callers could play for the Cougars right now, the competition is believed to be between just two, Wilson and Romeny, both of whom have experience in big-time games.
“There’s just experience, experience across the board,” Junior Wideout Neil Pau’u mentioned when asked about the QB battle. “It’s exciting to see them all come out each and every day and compete for the starting job.”
But as the start of the season draws near, fans are wondering whether it will be Wilson or Romney who gets the start against the Midshipmen. According to BYU Insider Jay Drew of the Deseret News, that appears to be Zach Wilson.
“Everybody knows Zach [Wilson] is going to be the starter,” Drew told Ben Criddle in an interview on ESPN 960. “Everybody I talk to that has watched practice said that Zach’s getting the lion’s share of the reps.”
It’s clear, too, for the people that have seen video put out on social media that Wilson is the one that is taking the majority of the first-team reps during Fall Camp.
Zach Wilson with an impressive throw on the run to find Neil Pau'u in the end zone for a score#BYU #BYUFOOTBALL #ESPN960 @CriddleBenjamin pic.twitter.com/omqceY6GIR
— Hunter Miller (@MillerHHunter) August 25, 2020
A great looking throw by Baylor Romey, a deep ball to Kody Epps in the end zone. Do you think Epps got his foot down inbounds?#BYU #BYUFOOTBALL #ESPN960 @CriddleBenjamin pic.twitter.com/X54C6xE7Mk
— Hunter Miller (@MillerHHunter) August 25, 2020
It’s important to note in these clips who each quarterback is throwing the ball to. Wilson’s primary target is Pau’u, an experienced receiver who enters 2020 as one of the leaders on this BYU Offense, while Romney targets the talented freshman Kody Epps.
So, while Coaches on the BYU Staff continue to remain relatively quiet on who will be the starting QB for this Cougar Football Team in 2020, it appears that all signs are pointing to Zach Wilson being your Week One starter.
