Baylor Romney Explains His Strengths In BYU’s Heated QB Battle
Aug 10, 2021, 4:34 PM | Updated: 4:41 pm
BYU quarterback Baylor Romney answers interview questions during BYU football media day at the BYU Broadcasting Building in Provo on Thursday, June 17, 2021. (Kristin Murphy, Deseret News)
(Kristin Murphy, Deseret News)
PROVO, Utah – BYU football coach Kalani Sitake wants a winner to be his starting quarterback. Out of the three quarterbacks vying to replace Zach Wilson as BYU’s next QB, only one has started and finished a game leading BYU to victory.
That’s Baylor Romney.
Quick hit look at how the QBs played and what took place at Day 4 of #CampKalani. 🏈 #BYU #BYUFootball @kslsports pic.twitter.com/o2hUDv27B7
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) August 9, 2021
Romney enters his fourth season with the BYU football program and has gained valuable experience throughout his time with the team.
In 2019, Romney started in two games, leading BYU to victories in both games. One of the wins was against undefeated, nationally-ranked Boise State. Could that winning background help Romney win the QB1 job this time around?
He’s in a heated battled with fellow sophomore Jaren Hall and heralded true freshman Jacob Conover. So what are the skill sets that Baylor Romney possesses that could make him the first quarterback onto the field?
Baylor Romney: Plays a poised game
“I feel I play a very poised game of football. My mindset [when] playing quarterback is to distribute the ball to the playmakers and let them be the ones that make plays on time,” Romney said.
That’s a good plan for Romney to follow as BYU appears to be loaded at the skill positions. Offensive Coordinator Aaron Roderick said this is the deepest wide receiver room since he arrived in 2018. The Cougars also have two proven running backs in Tyler Allgeier and Lopini Katoa, along with a handful of ball carriers vying to be the third option.
#BYU QB Baylor Romney on what his strengths are as a quarterback.#BYUFootball @kslsports pic.twitter.com/vIqObjntwv
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) August 10, 2021
Then there’s Isaac Rex, who’s coming off a 12 touchdown reception season as a freshman at tight end. And joining him is returned missionary Dallin Holker, who Roderick said, looks like he never left.
Last season, Romney was the primary backup to Zach Wilson during the Cougars 11-1 season. He appeared in seven games and completed nearly 70 percent of his passes. In 2019, he had a 7-2 TD-INT ratio. Taking care of the football and finishing drives with touchdowns will be a big piece to when Sitake and Roderick ultimately decide who will be the next starter.
When that decision ultimately comes is still in the air.
“He just said the first couple of weeks the reps will be split evenly. I don’t know what that means as far as how far into fall camp we’re going to be before reps start to get divided up differently. But you’ve just got to take it one day at a time and make the most out of that day.”
“I want it.”
At some point, a decision will be made to determine who will be Zach Wilson’s heir apparent. When asked about this heated quarterback battle, Romney might be a calm, cool customer, but he’s aiming that top spot.
“It’s competitive. Those guys want it. I want it. And we’ll see how it turns out in the next couple of weeks,” said Romney.
Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for KSLsports.com and host of the Cougar Tracks Podcast (SUBSCRIBE) and Cougar Sports Saturday (Saturday from 12-3 pm) on KSL Newsradio. Follow him on Twitter: @Mitch_Harper.
