The Quarterback Battle is the Most Important Storyline of Spring Camp
BYU's Spring camp kicks off at the end of the month. This year, no storyline will be more important than the position battle at quarterback. Three new quarterbacks are enrolled and will participate in Spring camp: Gerry Bohanon, Treyson Bourguet, and Noah Lugo. Today, kicking off our Spring camp previews with a preview of the quarterbacks.
As of this writing, BYU will have eight quarterbacks on the 2024 roster. Those numbers need to go down after Spring camp - BYU will probably need one or even two scholarship quarterbacks to transfer out after Spring ball. During camp, however, there will be a lot of bodies in the room for the next few months.
Here's a look at the eight quarterbacks that will be on the roster this Spring.
Jake Retzlaff - Junior
JUCO transfer Jake Retzlaff started the last four games of the 2023 season for BYU. In those four games, Retzlaff had the opportunity to position himself as the quarterback of the future. Instead, BYU went 0-4 during the last four games and Retzlaff struggled to take care of the football. Now, questions surround the quarterback position for next season and the Cougars have brought in multiple transfers. Even with the new quarterbacks in the room, Retzlaff could still be the guy in 2024.
Retzlaff's mobility got him on the field in 2023. Going into 2024, all of BYU's quarterbacks can move the chains with their legs. To win the quarterback competition, he will have to improve as a thrower. There are some legitimate accuracy issues with Retzlaff. He completed just 50.4% of his passes in four starts. There were multiple misfires that stalled BYU drives and forced BYU into predictable play-calling on second and long. He throws the ball from multiple arm angles and while that's fun to talk about, does it impact his accuracy? Roderick's offense needs a quarterback that can consistently make accurate throws near the boundary. In four games, Retzlaff was not accurate enough.
It's important to remember, however, that Retzlaff was making his first career starts. It's completely reasonable to believe that Retzlaff will improve during the offseason. Retzlaff is also the only option on this list that can provide continuity. There's long-term risk to playing one-and-done quarterbacks - Retzlaff would provide some stability at the most important position. He still has two years of eligibility remaining. If he improves his accuracy and taps into the skillset that allowed him to throw for over 7,000 yards at the JUCO level, he could win the job and be the quarterback of the future.
Cougs Daily chances to win the starting job: 41%
Gerry Bohanon - Senior
Last week, BYU announced the signing of former Baylor and USF quarterback Gerry Bohanon. Bohanon, who will be a seventh-year senior in 2024, has thrown for over 3,400 yards and and 26 touchdowns during his career. He has also run for over 1,000 yards in his career. Most notably, he has experience in BYU's offense. He ran the same offense as the starting quarterback for Baylor in 2021 under Jeff Grimes. 2021 was his best season as a college football quarterback.
Bohanon was brought in to compete for the starting job. He will not be handed the job, however. Bohanon experienced some struggles at USF and he was unable to play last year due to a shoulder injury. If Bohanon is the best version of himself, he can win the job. If he's a shell of his former self, someone else in the room will win the job. Bohanon is the only one-year guy in the room. To be named the starter, he will have to prove that he clearly gives BYU the best chance to win games. If it's close, it would make sense to go with one of the players with multiple years left.
Cougs Daily chances to win the starting job: 39%
Ryder Burton - Freshman
If there's a sleeper that could win the job, it's former Springville standout freshman Ryder Burton. Burton probably has the best arm talent in the room. He has an incredibly strong arm, he's ultra competitive, and he trains with former BYU great John Beck. Burton will be a redshirt freshman in 2024. Burton absolutely has the talent to win the job, but he is one of the least experienced quarterbacks in the competition. To be named the starter, he will need show Aaron Roderick that he's too talented to keep off the field and the upsides would outweigh the growing pains.
This is an important Spring for Burton. Even if he's not competing for the starting job, he needs to show that he can win the backup or third-string job. If not, he could be on the outside looking in.
Cougs Daily chances to win the starting job: 10%
Treyson Bourguet - Sophomore
Western Michigan transfer Treyson Bourguet committed to the Cougars just before Spring camp as a walk-on. He will be given the opportunity to compete for the starting job in Provo. Bourguet, who has three years of eligibility remaining, started eight games for Western Michigan over the last two seasons. As a true freshman in 2022, Bourguet started four games in the back half of the season. In four starts, he threw for 601 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 1 interception. He also ran for 154 yards and a score. Since he only played in four games, Bourguet preserved his redshirt.
As a redshirt freshman in 2023, Bourguet started four games and appeared in two more games. He threw for 713 yards, 4 touchdowns, and 1 interception. His best game came against Ball State where he threw for 328 yards, 3 touchdowns an no interceptions in a 42-24 win.
Bourguet will quickly win over his teammates with his personality, but he is joining a very crowded room. His biggest disadvantage will be joining a room in which so many of his competitors have experience in the system. Still, Bourguet won starting opportunities at Western Michigan and he could do it again at BYU.
Cougs Daily chances to win the starting job: 5%
Noah Lugo - Freshman
It's incredibly challenging for a true freshman to be named the starting quarterback in week one. It's rarely happened in BYU history. Noah Lugo, a Texas native, brings a lot to the table. Lugo could be the best athlete in the room and he could impact the game right away with his legs. He will probably need a year or two to develop, so the Spring will be his first opportunity to start developing.
Cougs Daily chances to win the starting job: 2%
Cade Fennegan - Junior
During his time at BYU, Cade Fennegan has been buried on the depth chart. The odds of Fennegan winning the job outright are low.
Cougs Daily chances to win the starting job: 1%
Nick Billoups - Junior
Nick Billoups hasn't played for BYU during his time in Provo. It's difficult for walk-ons to be named the starting quarterback.
Cougs Daily chances to win the starting job: 1%
Cole Hagen - Sophomore
Cole Hagen came to BYU as a preferred walk-on after his mission. Hagen had one of the most decorated careers in Utah high school football history, winning two state championships at Corner Canyon and never losing a game.
Cougs Daily chances to win the starting job: 1%
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