Riley Nelson lines up behind center, takes the snap and immediately transforms into a ball of energy and emotion. He's not afraid to use his legs. Newbie mistakes aside, he plays with the needle of the gauge at the red line. He reminds you of his coach, former Skyline High, BYU and San Francisco 49ers player Brandon Doman.
This Nelson we see on display has multiplied four-fold in one week. Where he was hidden, he is exposed. Where he crept along, he now runs full speed.
Nelson has taken a ton more repetitions in BYU's offense than he did seven days ago. Work given to him has climbed during 7-on-7 skeleton segments and extensive 11-on-11 team situations as the backup to starting quarterback Max Hall.
The first two weeks of camp, this wasn't the case.
Within a matter of days, Nelson has received a chance to knock off a lot of rust since he last played at Utah State. Before that, he set nine state records as a Parade All-American and Deseret News Mr. Football at Logan High. The past two years, he served a mission to Barcelona, Spain.
It would be fun to learn what he's thinking, what's going through his mind, details of his controversial transfer from USU, how he feels about backing up Hall and how he could be a tweaked shoulder, sprained ankle or bruised hand away from playing against No. 3 Oklahoma on Sept. 5.
But BYU instigated a rule this year of no interviews with newcomers, whether they're freshmen or transfers, until after the first game is finished. No matter if they "handled" a mission in a foreign country, their lips are sealed and reporters are off limits.
So, what about this Nelson?
I asked Brenden Gaskins, an approachable, well-spoken senior QB, to describe Nelson.
A week ago, in a much-publicized decision, Gaskins decided to relinquish his role as the Cougars' No. 2 quarterback. That opened the door for Nelson to go full bore in preparation for Oklahoma in case he gets called upon to trot onto the field.
"Riley is a very football-savvy young man," said Gaskins. "He's smart. He's picked up the offense a lot quicker than anyone expected. He's outgoing, outspoken, a humble kid, a fighter and a competitor. I think he's exactly what BYU football needs in the future. He's going to do great things. There will be great competition next year with Riley and other athletes for the job.
"He has great potential just like other guys do who are coming in," said Gaskins.
As for Gaskins, his decision wasn't easy. After last spring's exit interviews with BYU's coaches, Bronco Mendenhall explained he had every confidence and trust in Gaskins to back up Hall this fall. At the end of the 2009 season, Nelson would be given more opportunities because he'd return and Gaskins would not.
Then camp started and the work began to prepare for Oklahoma. "It really wasn't fair for me or Riley because neither one of us got enough time to prepare to back up Max," Gaskins said.
So, Gaskins did something that took guts; he swallowed his pride. He didn't quit, didn't transfer to an NAIA school or seek to play tight end or safety. He demoted himself so Nelson could thrive.
"I've given a lot to this program. I've done everything coaches have asked me to do. But that didn't enter my head entering camp, I only wanted to go out and do the best I could do," said Gaskins.
"I just felt through camp it wasn't fair for either one of us because we weren't getting quality reps. I felt the need to make the move so someone could get ready."
Better for one to diminish rather than an entire team suffer. That sort of thing.
That Nelson's talent was bottled up for two weeks pushed Gaskins to do something very unselfish.
"That went into my decision. I wasn't going to pass the torch to a kid just because it was going to happen later in the year. He had to be showing strides of confidence and know-how and pick up the offense — and he did. He is a very capable young man … I thought it was the right thing to do."
Gaskins came to BYU as a walk-on and even backed up Hall without a scholarship for a year. He worked his tail off, summer, winter and fall.
"It was hard to give to Riley what I'd worked so hard to earn myself over a long time," Gaskins said.
"In the end, it will be worth it because, three years from now, he could be finishing a great career and I'll know my decisions helped prepare and groom him into the player he'll be someday."
e-mail: dharmon@desnews.com