Nick Billoups is a 3-star quarterback recruit from the Class of 2020 that transferred from the University of Utah to BYU this summer. The 6-foot-2 195 pound quarterback walked-on to the University of Utah team in 2020 but entered the transfer portal at the conclusion of the season.
He prepped at San Clemente High School (Long Beach, California), where he played quarterback, free safety, and wide receiver. As a senior he completed 89-of-147 passing attempts (.605) for 932 yards and 11 touchdowns (against six interceptions), carried the back 107 times for 554 yards and 13 touchdowns, had 32 tackles (26 solo), two tackles for loss, 10 passes defended, and five interceptions (MaxPreps). He played in the OC North South All-Star game in 2020, earning MVP for the South Squad. His HUDL page shows a 4.43 forty time, with a 33-inch vertical and 225 pound bench press (HUDL).
As a junior for St. Anthony’s he completed 71-of-167 passes (.425) for 1140 yards and nine touchdowns to eight interceptions, and rushed 81 times for 1037 yards and 10 touchdowns. He also had two receptions for 62 yards and a score, and punted the ball 10 times for 373 yards. On defense he recorded 14 tackles (seven solo), had one pass defended, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, and one interception. In his sophomore season he had 11 receptions for 97 yards and three solo tackles.
Billoups is rated 3-stars by 247Sports who rated him the no. 105 prospect from California for the Class of 2020 (just ahead of his high school teammate and fellow BYU commit Preston Rex). He has seen recruiting interest from Cal Poly, Colorado State, Cornell, Eastern Washington, Louisville, Nevada, Penn State, San Jose State, Syracuse, UC Davis, UNLV, USC, Utah, and Wyoming.
I caught up with Billoups to ask him about his recruiting.
BYU Insider: Why did you decide to transfer?
Billoups: Oh, that’s simple they [the University of Utah] did not believe in me as a QB. It was odd because I felt like I made my reps count as I competed, but they wanted me at safety. It is challenging to run forward all your life and then be told to run backward. I don’t blame them or any coach who wanted to move me over. They see fast, athletic, and that didn’t help. I had like six picks my senior year. It makes sense. It makes sense right until you see me throw. Coach Akili Smith said it best– “anybody who asks me to back-peddle don’t know quarterbacks.”
BYU Insider: Why is BYU a good fit for you?
Billoups: Coach Sitake made my mom cry. He expressed concerns for his players on and off the field. He explained the BYU culture and what is expected of me when I put on that uniform. He sat with me twice for more than an hour, and I never felt rushed or thought that I was taking up his time. Coach ARod and Coach Sitake get each other. I knew that ARod liked me back in high school, and Coach Sitake was on board with ARod’s decision. Finally, every player I walked by, I mean every player, walked over and shook my hand, saying how much I would love it at BYU. The culture of the teams always stated, BYU players live up to it.
BYU Insider: What other schools were showing you love in the recruiting process?
Billoups: Honestly, just a few this cycle, I was shy about the transferring thing. The people who know my story know I worked hard to get to the U and to have this opportunity not work out was devastating. I felt like the continuation of my story, so I did not make a lot of fuss, and I contacted coaches who wanted me coming out of high school, and that was hit or miss, so I enter the portal.
I’ve been in contact with Penn State, Syracuse, Louisville, San Jose. Out of high school a bunch of P5s, MWC, and Big Sky schools were interested in me as a safety or receiver.
BYU Insider: What are some of your favorites?
Billoups: I love pasta (alfredo), Hawaiian BBQ, steak, Birra tacos, bacon, eggs, and French toast. I also love basketball, music (Gunna and No Cap, favorite artist), magazine guy, and Xbox gamer Nicck6ix.
BYU Insider: What is one of your greatest accomplishment in sports?
Billoups: Outside ofMultiple MVPs, including the All-Star game, is getting guys to believe in me and be willing to stand with me when others were against me.
BYU Insider: What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
Billoups: “Don’t worry about it get the next one”-Troy Kopp
BYU Insider: Who is a current player that you seek to emulate on the field?
Billoups: I am a die-hard Lamar Jackson fan, but my game I am told, is more like Vince Young. I took running back training to shorten my long stride from Vince to choppier like Lamar.
BYU Insider: Is there anything else you’d like Cougarfans to know about you?
Billoups: I am a winner. I am a team player, but my passion runs high for winning. I take my opportunities seriously as I know I have been given a unique gift. It is essential to see the success of others as I am a team guy first. My mom gets called daily, she is my rock, and she helps me make the tough decisions. I am honored to be a student at BYU and a member of the BYU football team.
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