Former Earle Bulldog transfers to Brigham Young

Bohanon looking to finish college football career on a high note

By Ralph Hardin

ralphhardin@gmail.com

To say things haven’t exactly gone according to plan for former Earle Bulldog Gerry Bohanon in his college football career is a bit of an understatement.

Since completing what was a very promising 2021 season for Baylor, Bohanon lost his starting QB job, transferred to South Florida in 2022 and won the starter's job there, only to get injured and miss the entire 2023 season..

Now Bohanon finds himself at Brigham Young University. BYU coach Kalani Sitake and his staff went looking for an experienced quarterback for next season and found Bohanon. Asked what kind of pitch was made by Cougar coaches the former Bulldog wasn't sure if one was even made.

“I really never felt like there was a pitch,” Bohanon said in an interview conducted on ESPN960 shortly after his transfer was made public.

“Everything spoke for itself … and everybody just enjoyed being around one another, which is something I want to be a part of.”

So what did BYU present to the former four-star prospect from Earle, Arkansas?

The 6-foot-3, 226-pound dualthreat quarterback undoubtedly encountered some of the more impressive pitches during the recruitment process.

According to the 24/7 Sports Network, he chose Baylor over the likes of Alabama, Georgia, LSU and Notre Dame.

But for Bohanon — considering what he’s been through over the past six seasons — specific aspects of BYU stood supreme. Upon arriving at BYU for his official visit along with his mother, Juanita, Bohanon pored over game film with the coaching staff to see how he’d fit within offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick’s system.

Bohanon said he was excited about what he saw.

“It’s all what I did at Baylor at a high level,” he said. “I enjoyed it and I was very com-

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fortable doing it. It was natural to me, so I know it will be a good fit playing in it again.

… I mean, we watch(ed) film and I even remember some of the same terminology and everything. … I think we all saw it as a good fit. … I felt like it was perfect.”

What he did at Baylor is notable. Bohanon took the starting reins for the Bears for the 2021 season and finished with 2,200 yards passing, 18 touchdowns against seven interceptions and a passing percentage of 63. He also used his superior athleticism to his advantage, rushing for 323 yards and nine touchdowns in helping Baylor to a 12-2 record and a 21-7 win over Ole Miss in the Sugar Bowl.

BYU fans may recall Bohanon leading Baylor to a resounding 38-24 win over the Cougars that season.

When Coach Jeff Grimes opted to start Blake Shapen the following season, Bohanon decided to transfer to South Florida. Bohanon believes he can hit the ground running at BYU.

South Florida struggled in 2022, but the Bulls were competitive when Bohanon was healthy against ranked foes, suffering close losses Florida team and Cncinnati. Bohanon lasted just the first half of the season after a torn labrum on his throwing shoulder.

As for the move to BYU, Bohanon said, “I want to come in and be myself. I want to learn from the guys as much as I can and just absorb and take in as much as I can from every coach up there. … I’m going to be the same guy every day and go and compete at everything I do. Hopefully I can encourage and uplift the guys and just get better … and get ready to compete … and uplift one another.”