Former No. 1 QB recruit Jake Heaps transferring to Miami

Published Jun. 15, 2014 6:15 p.m. ET

Bruce Feldman

Jake Heaps, once the nation's No. 1 QB recruit, is transferring to the University of Miami and will be eligible in 2014. Heaps told FOX Sports that he will arrive at Miami later this month in hopes of competing for the vacant Hurricanes quarterback spot.

"I'm extremely excited to join the Miami football program and to get down there and compete," said Heaps, who took an official visit to Miami about six weeks ago. "I really felt a good connection to (offensive coordinator) coach (James) Coley and coach (Al) Golden and the whole staff there."

The 6-foot-1, 210-pound Heaps began his career at BYU and was the MVP of the Cougars' New Mexico Bowl win in 2010. For the season, he completed 57 percent of his passes and threw 15 touchdowns and nine interceptions. As a freshman in 2010, Heaps set every BYU freshman QB record, including passing yards (2,316), touchdowns (15) and wins (six).

After the 2011 season, the Washington state native opted to transfer to Kansas. He redshirted the 2012 season. He played in 11 games for the hapless Jayhawks last season, completing 49 percent of his passes for 1,414 yards, eight touchdowns and 10 interceptions.

Heaps will arrive at Miami with a good chance to win the 'Canes' vacant starting QB job. Projected starter Ryan Williams is coming off an ACL injury suffered in the late spring, while unproven former blue-chip recruits Kevin Olsen and just-arrived freshmen Brad Kaaya and Malik Rosier will also battle for the spot.