Estimated read time: 6-7 minutes
PROVO — Signs of how the BYU football quarterback competition will ultimately unfold are being provided as Kalani Sitake's team heads into the final stretch of its spring practice session.
Sitake addressed the media just prior to last Friday's BYU Alumni flag football game, breaking down what he's observed of the quarterback competition between Jake Retzlaff (6-1, 205, Jr.) and Gerry Bohanaon (6-3, 225, Sr.) thus far.
"I think they're really neck-and-neck," Sitake said. "Jake is a lot more comfortable, but Gerry is starting to make a lot more strides with his comfort level with the offense. So we can't make that decision today or tomorrow, but maybe next week when you guys talk to me. We'll see how it goes, but I really like the competition."
Sitake went on to assess that both Retzlaff and Bohanon have separated themselves from those largely competing for the No. 3 spot on the quarterback depth chart. That group consists of Cade Fennegan (6-2, 195, Jr.), transfer Treyson Bourget (6-2, 210, So.) and Ryder Burton (6-2, 205, Fr.)
Overall, Sitake spoke positively about the entire group regarding how they're both competing against each other while forging a productive environment within the position group.
"We're starting to see a really cool bond between the two of them," Sitake said. "I've been really impressed with how the quarterbacks have been running the offense."
With regards to knowing the playbook and operating the offense, currently, Retzlaff enjoys obvious advantages, which Bohanon is working hard to close.
"Jake knows the offense a lot better than Gerry (does), and he's a lot more comfortable with how (Aaron Roderick) calls it, so he's farther ahead," Sitake said. "But you can see the ability with both those guys and the competition has been really nice for those guys to get after it."
So who will Cougar fans see under center come the start of the season?
Case for Retzlaff
As Sitake mentioned, Retzlaff is currently the quarterback operating offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick's system most effectively. It would be an unpleasant surprise if that weren't the case, however.
Retzlaff is benefitting from a lot of reps taken last season, on top of starting at the position for four games to end the season. But what's notable is that he's made the necessary progress that coaches would anticipate in making a clear separation between himself and Bohanon, which he'll work to maintain and even expand by the time the season rolls around.
The production Retzlaff realized in those four games wasn't close to being great. According to Pro Football Focus, the JUCO transfer warranted a mere 48.3% rating (266 snaps) last season, placing him near the bottom of all quarterback nationally during the 2023 season.
But the lack of production has to be qualified, given his relative inexperience on top of operating with a decimated receiving corps, due to injury, along with little to no semblance of an effective rushing attack, while taking on one of the toughest finishing slates in BYU football history.
Retzlaff will likely be able to operate with a much healthier and potent receiving group on top of a much improved ground game, which will assuredly open things up for the vertical passing game.
Retzlaff has also put in a lot of time working on his mechanics and footwork this offseason, and the positive returns have been apparent during practices. He's looked sharp and crisp with his short and intermediate passing while showing more accuracy with his deep passes.
Simply-stated: If the season started today, or even next week, Retzlaff would be the starter and it could well be argued the starting spot is his to lose.
Case for Bohanon
Bohanon has work to make up, sure, but he's progressing and certainly possesses the tools necessary to unseat Retzlaff as the named starter for the 2024 BYU football season.
Perhaps the biggest attribute Bohanon brings to the table is his ability to run the football. While Retzlaff has proven mobile and a capable runner, Bohanon presents an option with more explosiveness, elusivity and size — all of which could tilt the position battle in his direction.
Should Bohanon work to match or even come close to matching Retzlaff's ability to conduct the offense, throw accurate and timely passes, then his ability to run the football could earn him the starting nod.
Furthermore, Roderick has made no secret during interview sessions of his focus to reinvigorate BYU's ground game, of which Bohanon could add considerably to with his natural abilities.
"That is our No. 1 priority," Roderick said. "We have to get back to running the football the way we did the three years prior to last year."
Of note, prior to his throwing shoulder injury at South Florida, Bohanon showed a good ability in both conducting an offense and throwing the football effectively. Take his 2021 campaign as Baylor's starting quarterback where he compiled an 80.3 (735 snaps) overall QB rating according to PFF. By comparison and reference, BYU starter Kedon Slovis managed a 70.6 rating last season.
Bohanon's 2021 season success at Baylor was reprised during his shortened 2022 season at USF. While his stint with the Bulls is largely assumed as unsuccessful, Bohanon graded out at 81.5% (372 snaps) that season before being sidelined with his shoulder injury.
Given Bohanon's ability to run the football, along with his proven ability to warrant an efficient overall quarterback rating, Bohanon should pose a strong challenge to Retzlaff for the starting nod should he prove healthy enough.
Criddle's conclusion
Right now, I trust Retzlaff's throwing ability and his familiarity with the offense more than I do Bohanon's. He's an elusive runner and superb with his body language in zone reads and RPO playcalls. He's put on good weight and is fully healthy this time around going into the offseason, which bodes well.
I love his moxie, his belief in himself, and his competitive nature. He will continue to make strides this offseason the more time he spends with John Beck of 3DQB, as well as his supporting cast. That being said, Retzlaff also has unique mechanics that create inconsistency with his accuracy at times. He has also been prone to going off script, and making mistakes that have led to turnovers in the past.
We haven't seen Bohanon at his best. Bohanon, to me, still looks to be in "load management" mode; that will obviously have to change come fall camp. Bohanon will have access to John Beck this offseason, along with the other QBs. Having a high-level QB coach is something he's never had access to before.
He will also have Dr. Skyler Mayne, a well respected sports scientist at BYU, working with him one-on-one this offseason to assure that his arm strength and shoulder integrity returns to pre-injury form.
For Bohanon to beat out Retzlaff, he will have to show improved consistency, decision-making and accuracy within the framework of the offense. If Bohanon can execute and distribute the ball as Roderick sees fit while limiting turnovers, he can be the guy.
His running ability, combined with his size, sets him apart from most in college football at the QB position. At 6-foot-3, 226 pounds, with legitimate 4.6 speed, he looks to be a more nimble KJ Jefferson, who was formerly at Arkansas and currently at UCF. Bohanon has just one year of eligibility remaining and needs to have a much greater sense of urgency if he wants to overtake Retzlaff.
That said, whether purposefully orchestrated through utilization of specific QB packages or worse-case scenario, due to injury, one thing I am certain of, BYU fans will see both of these quarterbacks on the field playing substantial roles in this year's offense.
P.S. Watch out for Western Michigan transfer Treyson Bourguet.
