This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2011, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

Provo • Jake Heaps never quite lived up to the hype that accompanied the former BYU quarterback after the 2009 prep football season, but a member of that same 2010 recruiting class is well on his way to doing just that.

Redshirt freshman receiver Ross Apo appears to be headed for big things at BYU, and he made it clear this week that although his good friend Heaps is leaving the program, he is staying put.

"I love this place," said Apo, who gets to return home temporarily for the Armed Forces Bowl on Dec. 30 against Tulsa. Apo is from Arlington, Texas, which is between Fort Worth and Dallas.

Apo started strong, with a touchdown reception in each of his first three games, then saw his numbers plummet midseason before a late surge. Apo caught six touchdown passes in BYU's last five regular-season games, giving him nine overall, a number that leads the team and is 27th in the nation.

"Ross has had a really nice year because he is an excellent player, but also because he had a lot of time to prepare," said coach Bronco Mendenhall, noting how Apo missed his first season with a hand injury. "And he's very, very teachable and coachable. That sometimes is promoted through just waiting and watching and wanting your turn."

Apo and fellow receiver Cody Hoffman haven't just emerged as Riley Nelson's go-to guys on the field, they've become the best of friends away from the bright lights. Hoffman has made every All-Independence team out there with a team-high 821 receiving yards, while Apo is the FBS All-Independent Freshman of the Year.

"Me and [Hoffman], we really didn't hang out too much [last year]," Apo said. "I always used to hang out with O'Neill [Chambers]. And then, me and Cody, we are like best friends now. I have gotten to know him better and better as the season has gone on, and now we just click like that."

Apo said watching Heaps leave was like losing a member of the family.

"It was kind of hard," Apo said. "But Riley has stepped in and he has been winning games for us and doing an awesome job in the games, so everybody is just trying to move on and put that behind us."

You know this guy

Tulsa is 90th in the country in total defense, allowing 420.67 yards per game, under the direction of defensive coordinator Brent Guy, the former Utah State head coach. But Mendenhall said the unit is improving and very solid.

"Brent Guy, when he was at Utah State, always played us well defensively, and has experience with our system," Mendenhall said. "And so there will be familiarity there. And I think they are gaining some momentum the way they are playing, from what I have seen."

Briefly

With Houston Reynolds slated to miss the bowl game after having shoulder surgery, senior Marco Thorson is listed as the starter at left guard. His backup is freshman Brock Stringham. … When they reach Texas on Monday, the Cougars will practice at Burleson Centennial High School in Burleson, just south of Fort Worth.

Twitter: @drewjay —

Armed Forces Bowl BYU vs. Tulsa

P At Gerald J. Ford Stadium, DallasDec. 30, 11 a.m. MST

TV • ESPN